OVERVIEW
What is a Junior High Teacher?
Junior high school, sometimes referred to as middle school, is a marked transition from elementary school to high school. This is a time focused on developing a student’s cognitive, memory, and information-processing skills in preparation for the rigor of high school. Junior high teachers instruct students in sixth through eighth grade, spending most of their day presenting and facilitating individual lesson plans in one or more academic subjects. They utilize a variety of teaching techniques that appeal to various learning styles and methods. Outside of school hours, teachers spend their time preparing materials, grading assessments, working one-on-one with students, and communicating with parents about a student’s progress.
A commitment to constant learning and self-improvement is important to be a successful teacher. Most junior high teachers work collaboratively in planning their curriculum and often have a strong cross-curriculum focus in their assignments, demonstrated by the wave of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education happening in schools today.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Junior High Teacher Do?
The day-to-day responsibilities of a junior high teacher can include:
Creating lesson plans to teach students a subject.
- Assessing students to evaluate their abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.
- Teaching lessons they have planned to an entire class or to smaller groups.
- Grading students’ assignments and exams.
- Communicating with parents or guardians about their child’s progress.
- Working with students individually to help them overcome specific learning challenges.
- Preparing students for standardized tests required by the state.
- Developing and enforcing classroom rules.
- Supervising students outside of the classroom—for example, during lunchtime or detention.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Junior High Teacher?
The first step in becoming a junior high teacher is to earn a bachelor’s degree in the subject you want to teach, such as mathematics or science. In your program of study, you’re often required to take education-focused courses to help you adapt your content knowledge to a teaching role. Additionally, you’ll be required to complete an in-person student teaching experience within a middle school classroom. Student teaching will help you develop your teaching, classroom management, curriculum planning, assessment, and time management skills.
Once you earn your degree, you must pass your state’s required exams for teaching certification and apply for your teaching license. Then, you can begin applying for open teaching positions. Most teaching licenses must be updated every five years. In order to keep your certification up-to-date, you must complete the necessary continuing education requirements of your state. Some teachers pursue additional certifications to enhance their careers. Earning a gifted and talented education (GATE) certification, a reading specialist certification, or a National Board certification will only further develop your knowledge, skills, and hiring potential. For teachers who want to increase their annual salary or advance into administration, a master’s degree is essential.
Best Degrees for Junior High Teachers
Education
Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – B.S.
An online teacher certification program for aspiring middle school math...
An online teacher certification program for aspiring middle school math teachers. Leads to teaching license in states that have a middle-grades math teaching license.
Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching licensure in your state.
- Time: 62% of grads earned this degree within 29 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 39 total courses in this program.
Candidates for this science teaching degree program often include:
- Aspiring junior high math teachers who currently lack a teaching license
- Substitute teachers
- Career-changers with a passion for math
- School paraprofessionals
- Others who feel the call to teach
This science teaching degree program includes requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This science teaching degree prepares you to be eligible for a teaching license in any of the 50 states.
Education
Science Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching science to middle school students.
Available in all states that offer a middle-grades general science endorsement.
- Time: 63% of students earned this degree within 18 months.
- Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 14 total courses in this program.
This program is for currently licensed teacher who want to add middle-grades science to their license.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Earth science
- Space science
Propel your career as a middle school or junior high science teacher with this M.A. degree.
Education
Teaching, Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for...
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle school math teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 61% of students finish this middle school math teaching degree within 24 months.
- Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 20 total courses in this program (21 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- Educational Psychology
- Algebra for Secondary Mathematics Teaching
- Mathematics History
- Essential Practices for Supporting Diverse Learners
This M.A. Teaching program in middle grades math education requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. It differs from the M.A. Teaching, Mathematics Education (Secondary) program in that it does not require courses in upper levels of calculus, including advanced calculus and mathematical modeling. The curriculum of this online math degree is designed to prepare middle school math teachers for success.
Education
Science Education (Middle Grades) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle school science teachers. Leads to teaching license in all states that have a middle-grades general science teaching license.
Specific grade levels you are qualified to teach will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 62% of students finish this science teaching degree within 34 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program (39 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Heredity and Genetics
- Astronomy
- Ecology and Environmental Science
- Chemistry
- General Physics
This science teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
How Much Does a Junior High Teacher Make?
$61,320
Location, experience, and specialty have the largest impact on income for teachers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a junior high teacher in the U.S. is $61,320, with the top 10% earning more than $99,470 and the bottom 10% earning less than $45,510. Teachers are typically able to increase their income by furthering their education, gaining experience, or transitioning into administrative roles. On average, junior high teachers with a master’s degree earn $20,000 more per year than those with just a bachelor’s degree.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
4%
Currently, the job field for middle school or junior high teachers is projected to grow by 4% between 2021 and 2031, about as fast as the average occupation. Certification in a subject that is experiencing a shortage of teachers, such as STEM, may increase a teacher’s job security.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Junior High Teacher Need?
A junior high teacher requires a variety of professional and interpersonal skills, most notably:
- Communication
- Active Listening
- Persistence
- Adaptability
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Patience
- Organization
- Tech-savvy
- Time management
- Empathy
- Self-reflection
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