K-12 Education Degree Program and Career Education

K-12 instruction refers to the education of children from kindergarten through the senior year of high school. The duties of these teachers can vary greatly from grade to grade, but generally speaking, schoolteachers prepare and present lessons, administer and grade tests, work with children both individually and as a group, and maintain classroom discipline. They evaluate and record each child's performance and progress, and meet with parents and other school staff to discuss the child's progress. In addition, teachers may take students on field trips, supervise extracurricular activities, or provide extra after-school assistance to children with behavioral or learning difficulties.

There is always a demand for teachers. Job openings are almost always available. Currently, there is a high demand for junior high and high school teachers, particularly in the areas of math and science.

Anyone interested in pursuing a career in K-12 education must be patient, hard working, motivating, organized, decisive, and able to cope with stress. The K-12 teacher must be aware of and respectful of differences in ethnicity, culture, religion, and race. The teacher should be passionate about teaching, have a genuine interest in the well being of youngsters, possess a good sense of humor, and be a clear communicator.

Education, Training and Degrees in K-12 Education

Public elementary schoolteachers must have at least a bachelor's degree in education, early childhood development, or a similar field, and many states require that they have, or are working on, a master's degree as well. In addition to a bachelor's degree, public high school teachers must have completed 24 to 36 hours of college courses in the subject they wish to teach, though high school teachers with a master's degree are becoming more preferred. While not all private schools require a bachelor's degree, it is often preferred.

States also require all public schoolteachers to have a teaching license, which must be renewed annually. Many states offer an alternative licensing program for recent college graduates or individuals moving from a different career to teaching, who have a bachelor's degree but lack the necessary education courses required for a regular license. These individuals can teach under close supervision for one to two years while taking after-school education courses, then receive their regular license upon completion of these courses.

Find more information about online degrees, certificates, and diplomas in Education.

Explore Career Opportunities in K-12 Education

Numerous teaching positions in the K-12 school system are available at all levels. Below, we have divided up these positions into the most common teaching categories in this range.

Teaching Assistant
Teaching assistants work in all grades and levels, assisting teachers with lessons, monitoring outdoor play, helping to supervise field trips, and helping to grade papers. They also tutor students who need additional help, and they assist children with special needs.

Kindergarten Teacher
Kindergarten teachers maintain the playful, interactive, hands-on learning that children experience in preschool, while also introducing them to slightly more formal aspects of academic teaching. Through storytelling, counting, acting games and projects, they introduce four- and five-year-olds to the concepts of phonics, reading, music, mathematics, and science, as well as assisting in their socialization.

Elementary School Teacher
Elementary school teachers work with children from the first through sixth grades. They usually instruct one class of children in many basic subjects, including reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. In addition to academics, they help to foster social skills, confidence, values, and life skills. Teachers may also supervise playtime, lunches, field trips, and enrichment programs, such as sports, plays, and bands. They meet with parents and other teachers to discuss a child's progress and any problems the child may have.

Middle School Teacher
Middle school teachers teach seventh and eighth graders, or sometimes seventh through ninth grades. Instead of a teaching a classroom of children multiple subjects, middle school teachers usually operate more like high school teachers, teaching one subject to different groups of children.

High School Teacher
High school teachers teach post-middle school students from ninth or tenth grade through high school graduation. Typically, the age range of these students runs from about 14 to 18. High school teachers most often focus on one specific subject, using lecture and presentation, providing additional depth, detail, knowledge, and instruction than was delivered in elementary or middle school studies. High school teachers develop lesson plans, assign homework, administer tests, establish classroom rules, and enforce discipline. They also may supervise after-school activities, such as sports, clubs, and dances.

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