Teacher: Middle School

I. JOB SUMMARY

Main Topic: Human Geography
Secondary Topic: Environment and Society

Overview:  Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grade. Middle school teachers help students build on the fundamentals taught in elementary school and prepare students for high school.  In many schools, middle school teachers teach only specific subjects. For example, one teacher may teach math to several different classes of students throughout the day. However, other middle school teachers instruct on every subject to a single class. Teachers use time during the day when they do not have classes to plan lessons, grade assignments, or meet with other teachers and staff. Some middle schools have English as a second language (ESL) or English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) teachers who work with students learning the English language. ESL and ESOL teachers work with students individually or in groups to help them improve their English language skills and to help the students with assignments for their classes. Middle school teachers may also work with special education teachers to adapt lessons. In some cases, middle school teachers may co-teach lessons with special education teachers.  Teachers must be comfortable with using and learning new technology, including web-based delivery of instruction. With parents, they may use text-messaging applications to communicate about students’ assignments and upcoming events. With students, teachers may create websites or discussion boards to present information, expand a lesson taught in class, or teach lessons entirely online. Some middle school teachers coach sports teams and advise student clubs and groups, whose practices and meetings frequently take place before or after school.  Geographic skills and knowledge are important for teachers across all subjects in order to have a broad understanding of the context for human activity.

Geographers at work:  Human geographers, cultural geographers

Recommended College Courses:  Human geography, physical geography, cultural geography, world regional geography, economic geography, environmental geography, political geography; geographic information systems

Skills:  Web-based mapping applications; map reading and interpretation; GPS and geocaching; story maps; geographic information systems; computer and database systems; geographic thinking; problem-based learning models

Occupation Group: Education

Learn more about Middle School Teachers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor:  https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/middle-school-teachers.htm#tab-1