Career Facts - Education Program
Secondary Education (Teacher)
Also see Elementary Education (Teacher)
Also see Paraprofessional Certificate
What They Do:
Secondary school teachers teach one or more subjects to
teenagers and young adults in middle school, junior high or high
school. They serve as counselors, role models, and
disciplinarians, and help students to be successful in a career,
in their adult lives, and in life-long learning.
Outside of class, secondary teachers are expected to spend time,
preparing lessons, grading papers, participating in school
activities and improving their own knowledge and skills.
Related Occupations:
School administrator, school counselor, sign language
interpreter, university professor.
Who Would Enjoy It:
You will probably enjoy being a secondary teacher if you:
- Have a passion for a subject matter such as history or math and wish to share your interests with other.
- Are interested in a career in a human services field,
- Enjoy being around teenagers or young adults,
- Like solving problems and sharing what you know,
- Think it is important to explore new ideas
- Hope to make a difference in someone's life.
What They Earn:
Certified secondary teachers work 10 months
per year with a median salary of $47,740 in May 2006, according
to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In Michigan, new teachers could earn as high as $36,000 in
certain school districts. Certain specialties such as
math, science, special education, vocational education and
bilingual education are in high demand. Teachers who have
taught for many years and have earned advanced degrees could
earn up to 85,000.
How Many Jobs Available:
Nearly 30% of Michigan's teachers will be retiring over the
next decade, creating available positions for newly certified
teachers in all fields. There are current and projected
shortages for urban school districts and certain subject areas.
The highest demand is for math, science, bilingual education,
vocational education and special education.
How Much Schooling, Training, or Skill Development:
To become a certified teacher in grades 7-12 you must complete
a bachelor degree (B.A.) in the subject you wish to teach plus a
series of required courses in Education. Some programs
offer these Education courses as a minor, thus preparing
students to find employment after earning the B.A. degree.
Other programs consist of the B.A. in your subject area and a
Masters Degree for teacher preparation. Official
certification is granted after taking the Michigan Tests for
Teacher Certification (MTTC). To maintain certification,
teachers are expected to earn six continuing education credits
every five years.
What They Study at LCC:
Follow the Curriculum Guide for Associate in Associate of Arts
Degree, Secondary Education
LCC has articulation agreements in Secondary Education with the following schools:
Central Michigan University
Spring Arbor University
Western Michigan University (Vocational Education)
For information about transferring to other Michigan colleges and Universities: Transfer Guides.
Links:
Liberal Studies Division:
Teacher
Preparation
Geoff Quick, PhD
Education Lead Faculty
quickg@lcc.edu
Julia Petry,
Social Science and Humanities Department Chair
petryj@lcc.edu
Social Science and Humanities Department
Gannon Bldg, Room 131
Phone: (517) 483-1018
Additional contact information »