Secondary School Teachers
(NOC 4031)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesSecondary school teachers prepare and teach subjects at public and private junior and senior high schools. Secondary school teachers who are heads of departments are included in this group. Secondary teachers may specialize in areas like mathematics, English, French, special education, or second language instruction. Secondary school teachers of vocational and trades subjects may specialize in areas like hairdressing or auto mechanics.
Job Outlook
Average
Read more
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Growth in the number of positions in the public education system is generally limited by budgetary pressures and declining enrolments. Opportunities may vary depending on a jobseeker's teachable subjects. Teachers with French and/or Math backgrounds are in highest demand, and some opportunities for teaching English as a Second Language has been noted. It can still be challenging for many new teachers to secure a permanent position, and it may require being mobile, as there can sometimes be less competition in rural or isolated communities. Shortages of substitute teachers still periodically occur, creating opportunities for new graduates who have not yet secured a full-time position to gain some experience. Enrolment in private schools has been expanding and this is expected to continue, offering additional job opportunities, mostly in the Halifax area.
Hourly Pay
$27.88
Minimum$41.35
Median$52.53
MaximumAnnual Pay
$12,906
Minimum$70,443
Median$86,277
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$16.30
Minimum$30.00
Median$51.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Secondary school teachers prepare and teach subjects at public and private junior and senior high schools. Secondary school teachers who are heads of departments are included in this group. Secondary teachers may specialize in areas like mathematics, English, French, special education, or second language instruction. Secondary school teachers of vocational and trades subjects may specialize in areas like hairdressing or auto mechanics.
Job duties
Secondary school teachers:
- Plan goals and designated outcomes for all students and clearly communicate to those learners.
- Use a variety of teaching strategies like group work, lecture, mini-lessons, exploration, questioning, discussion, and other cooperative teaching techniques.
- Assign and correct homework.
- Prepare, administer, and correct tests.
- Use a variety of assessment strategies to evaluate student progress and discuss results with students, parents, and school officials.
- Identify children’s individual learning needs and adapt curriculum to meet the varying rates, patterns, and needs of all students, including students who extend learning beyond designated outcomes.
- Contribute to and manage an individual program plan for students with special needs.
- Maintain records for student attendance, evaluations, report cards, discipline records, and other related documents.
- Plan and implement classroom management strategies and techniques to ensure productive, interesting, respectful, and safe classrooms.
- Apply appropriate consequences for inappropriate student behavior.
- Communicate effectively with students, staff, parents, community, and outside agencies to better meet with the needs of students.
- Participate in staff meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops.
- May teach and evaluate students through distance or online courses.
- May advise students on course selection and on vocational and personal matters.
- May supervise student teachers.
Sample job titles
- adult education teacher, secondary school
- alternative high school teacher
- behaviour support teacher
- cooperative education teacher
- department head
- English as an additional language teacher, high school
- fine arts specialist teacher
- high school teacher
- learning centre teacher
- private teacher - secondary school
- resource teacher
- skilled trades education teacher
Skills
- You should be patient, imaginative, objective, and resourceful. Leadership skills and the ability to motivate students are important. You must be able to communicate ideas in a clear, concise, and interesting way. Planning and organizational skills are also necessary. Teachers must be knowledgeable about their subjects and keep informed of new material and methods of teaching.
Job requirements
- Teachers of academic subjects require a bachelor's degree in education which is often preceded by a bachelor's degree in the arts or sciences.
- Teachers of vocational or technical subjects require a bachelor's degree in education which is usually preceded by specialized training or experience in the subject.
- Department heads usually require several years of teaching experience.
- To specialize in special education or English or French as a second language, additional training, often at a master’s level, is required.
- A Nova Scotia teaching certificate is required.
- Membership in a provincial teachers' association or union may be required.
Other considerations
- The work can be demanding and require a great deal of physical, mental, and emotional energy. While most of the time is spent teaching in the classroom, many hours are spent out of class working with individual students, preparing lessons, and marking assignments. Progression to vice-principal or other administrative positions in the education system is possible with experience and additional training.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$70,128 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$73,834 median annual incomeCape Breton
$71,481 median annual incomeSouthern
$69,378 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$69,163 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Educational services
Public administration
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
What is the age of Employment?
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$57,859 median annual incomeMaster
$80,755 median annual incomeDiploma Above Bachelor
$72,337 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$30,667 median annual incomeDiploma Below Bachelor
$52,422 median annual incomeCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor
$45,929 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$35,398 median annual incomeMaster
$71,043 median annual incomeHigh school
$29,055 median annual incomeDoctorate
$100,443 median annual incomeEducation & training
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to teach adult students in various settings, including basic and remedial education programs, continuing education programs, and programs designed to develop or upgrade specific employment-related knowledge and skills.
Institutions providing this program
Art Teacher Education
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to teach art and art appreciation programs at various educational levels.
Institutions providing this program
Curriculum and Instruction
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on the curriculum and related instructional processes and tools and prepares students to serve as professional curriculum specialists. They include courses in curriculum theory, curriculum design and planning, instructional material design and evaluation, curriculum evaluation, and applications to specific subject matter, programs or educational levels.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Education of Students with Multiple Disabilities
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the design of educational services for children or adults with multiple disabilities which adversely affect their educational performance and that prepares individuals to teach such students. They include courses in identifying students with multiple disabilities, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising multiple handicapped students, counselling, and applicable laws and policies.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Educational/Instructional Media Design
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the principles and techniques of creating instructional products and related educational resources in various formats or combinations like film, video, recording, text, art, computer software, virtual reality technology, and three-dimensional objects, and that prepares individuals to function as instructional media designers. They include courses in the techniques specific to creating in various media, the behavioural principles applicable to using various media in learning and teaching, the design, testing and production of instructional materials, and the management of educational/instructional media facilities and programs.
Institutions providing this program
Sydney, NS
English as an Additional Language (Canada)
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on the development of proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English for those for whom English is not their mother tongue. They include courses in the use of basic communication skills to develop and transmit ideas and thoughts in English as well as specialized programs that focus on the development of proficiency in English sufficient to meet specific occupational or academic demands.
Junior High and High School Education and Teaching
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to teach students in the secondary grades, which include grades seven through twelve. This includes preparation to teach a comprehensive curriculum or specific subject matter.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Mathematics Teacher Education
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to teach mathematics programs at various educational levels.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Outdoor Education
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs preapre students to work as an educator, instructor or facilitator in parks, recreational facilities, camps and other outdoor settings. They include courses in leadership skills, wilderness survival skills, first aid, group processes, counselling techniques, environmental studies and instruction in recreational activities such as rock climbing, ropes courses, backpacking, kayaking and canoeing.
Institutions providing this program
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to teach physical education programs and/or to coach sports at various educational levels.
Institutions providing this program
Special Education and Teaching - General
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the design and provision of teaching and other educational services to children or adults with special learning needs or disabilities, and that prepares individuals to function as special education teachers. They include courses in diagnosing learning disabilities, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising special education students, special education counselling, and applicable laws and policies.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to teach students at more than one educational level, like a combined program in elementary/secondary, early childhood/elementary, elementary/middle school, or junior high/high school teacher education.
Institutions providing this program
Teaching English to Speakers of Another Language
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the principles and practice of teaching English to students who are not proficient in English or who do not speak, read or write English, and that prepares individuals to function as teachers and administrators in such programs.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to teach technology education/industrial arts programs at various educational levels.
Institutions providing this program
Truro, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Special Requirements: Nova Scotia Teacher Certification is required to work in the public school system. Certification may be required by other education related employers.