Top 20 Things I Learned: Day in the Life of a High School Teacher
As explained at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com, high school teachers typically educate 9th-12th grade students in various subjects. They help students to meet state standards in their academics and the state’s high school graduation requirements. If you are considering going down this career path, here are 20 things we learned when it comes to a day in the life of a high school teacher so that you can have an idea of what to expect.
Early mornings and preparations for the day
Most high school teachers wake up early in the morning, between 5 AM and 6 AM to prepare themselves and get ready for the day as per RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. This is the time to prepare lunch if one will be having a packed lunch at work. Most importantly, if the high school teacher had carried papers home for grading, they make sure that these papers are back in their bag so they don’t forget them at home. The teacher will also ensure their lessons are ready and prepared for the day.
Arriving early
Most high school teachers prefer to get to work earlier than their students so that they have ample time to get set up for their first lesson of the day. This is because if you arrive late and find some students already there, setting up with students trying to chat you up isn’t easy nor ideal.
Meetings
While this isn’t a daily occurrence, there are days when high school teachers are required to attend staff meetings in the morning before the lessons start according to RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. Normally these meetings are brief and to the point to ensure that they don’t bleed into and interrupt normal school programming.
Miscellaneous activities at the start of the lesson
Before the first class of the day gets started properly, certain tasks need to be accomplished first. They include checking attendance and confirming those students who aren’t in that day, getting the students’ papers ready to pass back, and making sure that they have all their materials ready for the day.
Early morning challenges
Some of the challenges that high school teachers face during the early morning as far as the first class is concerned is dealing with cranky students. Students have to be ready to think and work as early as 7:30 AM and for some, it may be challenging.
Prep period
As articulated at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com, after the first period ends, high school teachers normally get some much-needed prep time before the next class. Every teacher has a prep period, which varies from teacher to teacher.
How teachers use their prep period
For most teachers, the prep period is not enough for them to plan for the next lesson, grade, get ready for the upcoming class period, make sure that all their copies have been made, and get their classroom ready to go. With all these tasks to be accomplished, the time may not be enough, which is why many teachers end up taking home as much grading and lesson planning home every day.
Mid-day classes
The fourth and fifth periods start at just past 10 AM as captured at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. During this period, many teachers have their students continually engaged with the lessons, and to do this, they must be fully engrossed in them.
How teachers keep students engaged
To ensure that students are fully engaged in lessons at this time of the day, many high school teachers rarely sit down and only spend about 10-20 minutes of their class time lecturing or giving instructions. Much of their time is spent having their students work together, have discussions, and collaborate. Walking around allows the teacher to make sure that students fully understand the lesson.
Lunchtime
While high school teachers get a 30-minute lunch break, most of them aren’t able to fully enjoy this period. This is because there seems to always be something that needs to be done during that time as it is the only “free” period to get things done without using the time set aside for lessons.
Activities during the lunch break
Some of the things high school teachers have to do during lunch break include attending lunch meetings with students, colleagues, or even members of a school club like the dance club as covered at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. Some teachers will also try to grade during lunch.
Dealing with the lunch slump in the afternoon
The sixth and seventh periods are up next as they are scheduled for the afternoon after the lunch break. While they are similar in work to the fourth and fifth periods, the main difference is that these afternoon classes are post-lunch. The students tend to be cranky and have a hard time focusing and getting work done. Many high school teachers attest that getting students to work after lunch can be demanding.
Staying back after the last lesson
Once the last period is over and the students leave, many teachers stay for at least an hour after school as described at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. Unless there is a meeting schedule, many teachers try to leave at about 4:30 PM.
Tasks accomplished after school
As already mentioned, teachers tend to stick around after school to accomplish certain tasks. They use this time to ensure that the class is ready to go, it is cleaned, and is set for the following day. The teachers will also use this time to get caught up on their grading and lesson planning, as many try not to carry their work home with them to allow them to disconnect.
Some time alone
In addition to preparing for the next day, high school teachers also like that period after school after the students are gone as they get to enjoy some peace and quiet at the workplace for the first time in the day since the morning. Some put on some music as they move to tie up loose ends for the day and prepare for the next day.
Carry work if needed
While high school teachers would prefer not to carry work with them back home, sometimes it is unavoidable as discussed at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. Before they leave, teachers will decide which papers they will carry with them back home to grade before they leave.
After-work activities
As any high school teacher will tell you, the work doesn’t end just because the workday has ended. When they get home, some have papers to grade, others have lessons to plan for, or both. Some also have grad school during the evenings, with many high school teachers going back to school to further their studies.
Additional duties at school
For some teachers, their duties at school extend beyond their classwork and teaching students. As revealed at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com, some high school teachers coach sports and advise clubs and other groups after school.
Workdays
For a high school teacher, a normal workday starts at about 7 AM and ends at about 5 PM from Monday to Friday. Teachers generally work a ten-month school year with a two-month break for summer, although some teach summer programs.
Meeting parents
High school teachers are also required to work closely with their student’s parents for the best results. This is why schools regularly set aside some time for parents and teachers to interact and liaise about the progress of the students.
These are some of the things to expect when it comes to a day in the life of a high school teacher, with more on this topic, and much more, to be found over at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com.