Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 14 Unit 1 You—The Teacher of Tomorrow In high school, students take primary responsibility for their learning. It is not unusual to have homework in every subject every night, as well as long-term projects. If they do not understand concepts, teachers expect students to ask for help. More assignments require complex thinking skills, and students routinely practice solving problems by gathering and evaluat- ing information. High school teachers typically specialize in one subject or a group of related subjects. In small communities, however, teachers may have a more diverse teaching schedule. Teaching high school courses requires more content depth than teaching in earlier grades. Teachers must have at least a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university and be certified to teach in their state. Training for high school teachers focuses more on their subject areas of choice. Although they have curriculum guidelines, teachers usually have some flexibility in what and how they teach. Teachers determine how much to emphasize various topics and how to best present them. Which topics will they assign for papers? Is the most effective way for students to learn a concept through a teacher presentation, group discussion, lab experience, or combination of these and other techniques? These are among the many aspects managed by individual teachers (Figure 1.7). High school teachers usually have other responsibilities in addition to teaching. They may monitor study halls, serve as advisors for school orga- nizations, tutor, coach sports, and chaperone events. (Some responsibilities are part of their regular teaching duties, but they may receive extra pay for others.) Many teachers willingly help students outside class with such issues as choosing colleges or careers or dealing with personal concerns. Online Opportunities for Teachers Teachers at elementary, middle, and high school levels can find online job opportunities to use their skills and talents. Some states offer public education through online sources, which require teachers with experience to facilitate these remote or distance student-learning alternatives. Services may include monkeybusinessimages/iStock/Thinkstock Figure 1.7 This high school anatomy teacher guides students working on a class project.