What does a high school English teacher job description typically include?

I'm curious about what being a high school English teacher entails. What are the main responsibilities and requirements? Is there a specific focus in the curriculum or special skills needed?

High school English teachers play a pivotal role in the education of their students, helping them develop reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Their responsibility is multi-faceted and covers a range of educational areas. Here’s a broad view of what their job description might look like.

1. Curriculum development and lesson planning: English teachers design syllabus for different grades, incorporating state or federal education standards. They plan lessons around this, teaching literature and literary analysis, writing (including grammar, spellings, creative writing), and sometimes speech and debate. Teachers often have the freedom to select the reading materials, which can range from classic literature to contemporary works, depending on the grade level and learning objectives.

2. Teaching: This is the core responsibility. They utilize engaging teaching methods to convey complex ideas and concepts and accommodate different learning styles. Their goal is to help students critically analyze texts and express their thoughts orally and in writing.

3. Assessment: English teachers are responsible for creating and grading assignments, papers, and exams to evaluate students’ progress. They also provide constructive feedback to the student, guiding improvements in their work.

4. Classroom Management: Teachers must foster a learning environment that motivates students and respects diverse views. They ensure discipline is maintained and that the class operates in a cohesive, functional manner. Communal respect and personal development are often an integral component of this aspect.

5. Parent-teacher Interaction: Teachers communicate with parents about their child's progress and any issues they might be facing. They also participate in parent-teacher meetings and handle concerns raised by the parents.

6. Professional Development: Like all teachers, English teachers engage in curriculum planning meetings with other teachers, attend professional development workshops, and strive to keep their subject knowledge current.

As for special skills, close reading skills, strong communication abilities, creativity, patience, and an engaging presentation style are key to this profession. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in English or education with a focus on English/Language Arts is typically required, and so is a teaching credential or certification depending on the country or state where the school is located.