How to Get a Job as a Middle School Teacher
Aside from communication and instructional skills, patience and endurance are major musts for anyone interested in pursing a career in middle-level education. And a little self-criticism goes a long way, Poliseno says. “Teaching is such a series of failures and successes and being able to stay positive within those and highlight your successes and learn from your failures year after year and sometimes day after day is important.” Strong content knowledge and a solid understanding of how students learn are other indispensible “soft” skills.
What is the Job Like?
Middle school teachers generally work Monday through Friday in a typical 10-month school year. Their work goes beyond basic classroom instruction and might also include meetings with parents, students, and other teachers before or after school. Some even spearhead clubs or coach sports. Though often bogged down with grading papers and creating lesson plans during their evenings and weekends, teachers generally enjoy a two-month break during the summer months. Experienced teachers can even advance to mentorship or lead teaching posts. Poliseno says that above all else, middle school teachers need to understand that they must acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be effective in the classroom. “It’s not necessarily how you acquire those skills but how well you acquire those skills,” she says.
