Occupation · SOC 25-2022
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.
Median wage
$62,970
$47,050–$100,980
Projected growth
-2.0%
Declining
Annual openings
-1,240
per year
Employed (US)
620,370
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
2,377 mapped
Core skills
InstructingLearning StrategiesSpeakingActive ListeningActive LearningMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessReading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
Education and TrainingEnglish LanguagePhilosophy and TheologyMathematicsPsychology
Technology & tools
Video creation and editing softwareOperating system softwareComputer based training softwareData base user interface and query softwareDesktop communications software
Representative tasks
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.Assign lessons and correct homework.Assist students who need extra help, such as by tutoring and preparing and implementing remedial programs.Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.Maintain accurate, complete, and correct student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of middle school programs.Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems, or special academic interests.Meet or correspond with parents or guardians to discuss children's progress and to determine priorities and resource needs.Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injury and damage.Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.Attend staff meetings and serve on staff committees, as required.Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from such activities.Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.Perform administrative duties, such as school library assistance, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.Coordinate and supervise extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.Organize and label materials and display students' work.Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine student strengths and needs.Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Classroom materials and physical environment — prepare and arrange under mentor guidance prior to scheduled middle school lessons.Student behavior and daily routines — observe and document under supervision to identify patterns requiring teacher attention.Core subject content — deliver introductory lectures and guided discussions with cooperating teacher support in a middle school classroom.Formative assessments and short assignments — administer and grade using provided rubrics to track early evidence of student progress.Classroom rules and behavioral expectations — apply established procedures with direction from a supervising teacher to maintain order.Lesson objectives — communicate clearly to students at the start of each instructional activity using written and verbal prompts.Nightly homework assignments — assign from approved curriculum materials and provide structured corrections with teacher oversight.Struggling learners — identify through classroom observation and refer to appropriate support resources under supervisor guidance.Word processing and email software — use to draft lesson plans, correspondence, and instructional materials in a school setting.Active listening skills — demonstrate during student interactions and instructional team meetings to build foundational classroom rapport.
developing
Classroom setup and instructional materials — prepare independently across multiple subject units to support varied learning activities.Student academic performance, behavior, and social development — observe and evaluate routinely using structured observation tools and grade-book software.Multi-modal instruction — deliver lectures, Socratic discussions, and live demonstrations across assigned subjects with reduced supervisor oversight.Unit tests, quizzes, and project rubrics — design, administer, and grade to measure student progress against established curriculum standards.Behavioral management systems — enforce consistently and adapt classroom procedures when routine disruptions arise in a self-contained middle school classroom.Learning objectives for lessons and short units — establish, align to grade-level standards, and communicate to students and parents through desktop communications software.Homework policies and assignment calendars — manage and correct in a timely manner to maintain instructional momentum across a full class roster.Small-group tutoring sessions and basic remedial plans — implement for identified students who need targeted academic support within the regular class schedule.Computer-based training and analytical software — utilize to differentiate instruction and monitor student performance data across a course section.Time management and coordination skills — apply to balance lesson planning, grading, parent communication, and co-curricular responsibilities across a standard school week.
proficient
Complex multi-week instructional units — design and execute autonomously, integrating lectures, technology, and project-based learning across a full middle school subject area.Comprehensive student assessment data — analyze across academic, behavioral, social, and physical health dimensions to inform individualized instructional decisions.Differentiated instruction — deliver independently to diverse learners across ability levels, cultural backgrounds, and learning styles in a heterogeneous classroom.Summative and diagnostic assessments — construct, administer, and use to drive data-informed adjustments to curriculum pacing and remediation in a middle school context.Restorative and proactive classroom management strategies — implement and refine to address non-routine behavioral challenges while maintaining a positive learning culture.Long-range curriculum objectives — establish for an entire course and align to district standards, communicating scope and sequence clearly to students and caregivers.Independent study and enrichment assignments — design and grade to challenge advanced learners while maintaining equity across the full class roster.Individualized remedial programs — develop and implement for students with persistent academic gaps, coordinating with counselors and intervention specialists.Video creation, web authoring, and project management software — integrate to build engaging digital learning experiences and manage instructional workflows independently.Critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills — model explicitly during instruction and use to navigate non-routine curriculum, student, or family challenges.
advanced
Department-wide curriculum frameworks — lead the design and revision of, aligning middle school content across grade levels to district and state academic standards.School-wide student data systems — direct analysis and interpretation of to identify achievement gaps and set improvement priorities at the programmatic level.Instructional coaching and peer mentorship — provide to early-career teachers, modeling effective pedagogical strategies and giving structured, evidence-based feedback.Teacher evaluation and professional learning communities — facilitate or contribute leadership to, driving continuous improvement in instructional practice across the faculty.School-wide behavioral and restorative discipline frameworks — co-develop and champion to establish a coherent, equitable culture of learning across all grade teams.Schoolwide assessment strategy — guide the adoption and implementation of, including selection of assessment tools and protocols used across the middle school.Cross-disciplinary project and service-learning initiatives — architect and lead, coordinating multiple teachers, families, and community partners to deepen student engagement.Equity-focused intervention systems — design at the organizational level, ensuring that resources, remediation, and enrichment opportunities are accessible to all student populations.Emerging educational technology adoption — lead evaluation and integration of, building faculty capacity to use tools such as LMS platforms and data analytics software at scale.Strategic vision for student social-emotional development — articulate and advance school-wide, collaborating with administrators, specialists, and families to support holistic student growth.
Also known as
160 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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