What Does a Middle School Teacher Do?

When people look back at their education, they may not think that much about their middle school years. That was actually where they got the foundation for them to excel in high school and beyond. You could help the children of today get that foundation by being their teacher.

This is not as simple a job that some may visualize. There are a lot of things that go into this – far more than just the “nine months and summer vacation.”  Things you should be aware of before going ahead and joining the teacher workforce.

If you are considering applying to be part of travel nurse staffing, you should know what it is that they do every day. We’re here to give you a primer of sorts – it can be hard to sum up everything. Read on to learn more.

What Grades Do They Teach?

Middle school usually has students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. Its main goal is to help students get more and more comfortable with subjects that will be taught in high school. The middle school teacher will be one of the main people who guide them through certain subjects.

This is also a time period when the students are also changing in both mind and body. Teachers have to act as both mentors and guidance counselors … and maybe even throw in a bit of therapy work in certain situations.

How Do They Teach?

A teacher does far more than just walk into a classroom and start teaching. There are a lot of different duties for a middle school teacher, and some of them start early in the morning and end late at night. They include:

  • Making Daily Lesson Plans on the Subject That They Teach – Teachers get only a certain amount of time each class, so they need to make sure that they can convey all they need within that time frame. This is also to help the students focus on the important parts.
  • Giving Assessment Tests to See Where a Student Excels and Where They Need Help – When a teacher sees the various test results, they can then use that data when making their plans. They can focus on making some harder topics easier to understand for those that might struggle and add more in other areas that more advanced students might find too easy or boring.
  • Giving Lessons in Front of Groups of Students – If you have a fear of talking in front of audiences, this will go away quickly after you start. You need to be able to communicate the lesson in front of all of these students. Soon, you will be comfortable talking to crowds.
  • Assign Homework for the Students so They Can Absorb the Lessons – Here is a gray area. Some teachers believe in assigning work every day so that their lessons can be reinforced while others believe that they need a breather after being in school. You need to do what you think is best and maybe you can find a happy middle ground.
  • Grade Homework, Papers and Tests  – This is the part that many teachers may dread. They are literally bringing their work home and having to sit and read and grade these. Having online portals can save them from having to carry all the work, though and they may be able to post and comment on there.
  • Talk With Parents and Guardians of Students –  There was a time when you waited for your parents to come back from talking with your teacher. Now the roles are reversed and you get to be the one talking to parents. 
  • Tutor Struggling Students –  You may see students that are having a hard time with your class. You can meet with them during their lunch or recess or even after school to go over the lessons to help them get back up to speed.
  • Enforce Classroom Rules – Now you are the one who tells students to pay attention in class and not talk to each other. There is one thing that you have to deal with that the teachers of your middle school years didn’t: cell phones.
  • Watch Over Students at Lunchtime or Detention: You may be assigned cafeteria duty or you may have to stay after school to watch kids who misbehaved. This can depend on the state you are in.

That may seem like a lot, but once you get into the swing of things, the entire routine will become easy for you to keep track of. Never let anyone say that you have very few things to do for your job.

When it comes to what class you will teach, a middle school teacher usually specializes in one subject, like history. On some occasions, there may be some overlap. One example is an English teacher who may also teach Journalism or writing or a math teacher also teaching coding since both tend to involve numbers.

Usually, your principal will try to assign you the subject that is your strong suit. You may have to do an abrupt crash course on something, though. Before long, you’ll be an expert and be comfortable teaching it to others.

What Is A Work Day Like?

Teachers usually need to show up early before any classes begin. That way they can set up their classroom and ensure that they have the proper equipment and supplies so that they can start teaching. Schools usually begin at 8 and end around 2 or 3 depending on the state.

There is an assigned lunch break and certain states may allow the teachers to have prep periods so that they can get their lessons ready for later in the day. Some teachers may stay after school to supervise clubs or activities, like preparing for a play.

Typically, a teacher will work 10 months and have two months off, but there are some districts that are year-round, so there may be a three-week break in between summer school and the start of the school year.

Being a middle school teacher can be hard work, but the students tend to be easier to communicate with than their younger counterparts. Seeing former students who excel in high school and beyond can be a gratifying reward for all that effort.

Author bio-  Milli Beamer has been helping employers find qualified employees using staffing agencies. She now wants to share her knowledge with others.

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