Teacher (Art/Music/Drama/Speech)

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Work Tasks

• Plan lessons, write tests, grade papers, fill out report cards, and meet with parents and staff
• Help students to learn and develop skills
• Provide models and show examples of work
• Plan shows to display their students work
• Work for colleges, universities, music and acting schools, theater companies, recreation programs, and public and private schools
• Work with various art materials, musical instruments, sheet music, scripts, screenplays, costumes, makeup, textbooks, workbooks, student records, forms, and audiovisual aids

Salary, Size & Growth

• $50,000 average per year ($24.00 per hour)
• A large occupation (161,000 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (3.2% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree from a school with an approved teacher training program, plus a period of student teaching
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree
• Skills/Courses: Most states require a 4-year degree in the subject area(s) you will teach, courses on how to teach, and supervised student-teaching. In some states, the teacher training courses are included in the 4-year degree, and in other states a fifth year is required.
• Certification/Licensing: All teachers must be certified to teach in the U.S. public school system. Licensure is granted by the State Board of Education.