Secondary school teachers (NOC 4031)

Secondary school teachers:

• prepare and present course material to students, in keeping with an approved curriculum
• teach students using an organized plan of lectures, classroom discussions, audio-visual presentations, and/or laboratory, shop (workshop) and field studies
• assign, mark and grade homework and tests
• check student progress, determine student needs on an individual basis and discuss findings with parents and school officials, as needed
• may teach and evaluate students through distance or online courses
• develop and implement special programs for any students requiring remedial help
• attend staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops
• may counsel students on course selection, as well as career prep and personal matters
• may supervise student teachers

Special duties

Secondary school teachers may specialize in mathematics, English, French, special education or second language instruction or in vocational and trades subjects like hairdressing or auto mechanics.

Workers may teach in classrooms, labs, libraries, workshops, gymnasiums and outdoors. They also typically perform other tasks, such as lesson preparation, grading and administrative tasks, outside of regular work hours.

Hours vary depending on time required for lesson preparation, grading, etc. Most teachers work a standard 10-month school year and have time off during school holidays: two months in the summer and time off at Christmas and spring break.

Some aspects of this job can be stressful and working with youth can be challenging. Teachers are required to stand for extended periods of time, which may lead to back problems. Teachers may also develop voice distress. Science labs and workshops can pose various hazards.

Workers increasingly use technology and may use computers for grade calculation, attendance and lesson development.

Education, training & qualifications

Teachers of academic subjects are required to have completed a bachelor's degree in education, which is typically undertaken after earning a bachelor's degree in the arts or sciences. Experience working with youth is also beneficial. Other requirements include:

• a bachelor's degree in education for teachers of career preparation or technical subjects
• specialized training and/or experience in their subject
• additional qualifications for school counsellors and teacher-librarians
• additional training for teachers focusing on either special education or English or French as a second language
• some ESL experience or training for some school districts with a high proportion of English as a Second Language (ESL) students
• a provincial teaching certificate for all teachers (and is valid only in the province it is issued in)

Skills

• Directive
• Social
• Manual Dexterity
• Detail-Oriented
• Clerical Ability

View skills definitions

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.

Since this is a very large occupational group, many positions are expected.

The expansion of career training has opened up new opportunities for secondary teachers in areas such as business office management, agricultural technology, food services, restaurant and hotel service and management, applied physics, environmental studies, construction, drafting, mechanics, textile and clothing production, health and social services. Individuals who have expertise in these areas will have an advantage when applying for specialty positions.

There is a shortage of trained teachers in some areas of the province (i.e., rural areas), but a surplus of trained teachers in others. Secondary teachers specializing in advanced math, physics, chemistry, French and French immersion tend to be in higher demand throughout B.C. As well, an increasing need for teachers is expected in fields such as business education, technology education, home economics, special needs and ESL.

School districts in northern B.C. frequently have trouble filling general teaching positions, so demand for workers in this region will be higher.