Inspire and teach secondary school students in a variety of subject areas.
Secondary school teachers:
- prepare daily lessons and long-term teaching programs in accordance with state or territory system guidelines
- teach using a variety of methods including formal lessons, discussions, practical activities, experiments, projects, assignments and excursions, taking into account the differences in individual students
- use digital and information technology to assist in lesson preparation, teaching and reporting; set tests and exams, projects, assignments and homework, mark and correct assessments, and sort the results
- evaluate and report on the progress of students and discuss individual performance and problems with students and parents
- establish and maintain good working habits and discipline in classrooms
- supervise extra classes when other teachers are absent
- supervise students in the yard during lunchtime and other breaks
- carry out relevant administrative duties
- attend staff meetings, educational conferences and other professional development activities
- coordinate work experience and school-industry programs
- participate in other activities in partnership with parents and the school community, including parent/teacher nights, school council and other committees
- assist in organising sporting events, camping trips and other excursions
- coordinate administrative support programs and the work of non-teaching staff in schools
- keep in touch and network with other teachers
- work with other staff to revise the school's policies and curriculum to reflect changing student needs and government initiatives.
As a secondary school teacher you can work in government and non-government schools and colleges. You could also work in private practice, offering tutorial and subject-coaching services to students.
Source: myFuture
Disclaimer: This page provides study pathway and career options as a guide only. You should contact the Admissions Centre, International Centre or relevant Faculties for full details.
Study pathways
The following study pathway shows the most common and direct route for a UWA student to pursue this career.
Undergraduate
- Accounting
- Anatomy and Human Biology
- Anthropology and Sociology
- Applied Computing
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Chinese
- Classics and Ancient History
- Computer Science
- Economics
- English and Cultural Studies
- Exercise and Health
- French Studies
- Geography
- German Studies
- History
- Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage
- Indonesian
- Italian Studies
- Japanese
- Law and Society
- Linguistics
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Medieval and Early Modern Studies
- Music Studies
- Political Science and International Relations
- Physics
- Quantitative Methods
- Science Communication
- Social and Applied Psychology
- Sport Science
- Zoology
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Postgraduate
Postgraduate study is required for this occupation.
Relevant postgraduate courses include:
Relevant majors include:
Graduate profile
- Sharyn Bana
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Head of Biology, Christ Church Grammar School, Claremont WA
BSc (major in Anatomy and Human Biology, minors in Mathematics and Zoology) UWA; BSc (Honours in Anatomy and Human Biology) UWA; Graduate Diploma of Education, WACAE (now ECU); MSc (coursework in Anatomy and Human Biology) UWA; Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science, UWA.
I always intended to teach, although I did my Dip.Ed prior to my Honours degree in case I’d had enough study after four years - which I hadn’t! I started teaching at the end of my Honours year but did return to UWA on a part time basis after several years away to complete my Masters by coursework. My Diploma in Forensic Science was completed shortly after my Masters, because of my interest in teaching it to non-TEE students at upper school level.
I've been teaching boys lower school science and TEE Human Biology and Biology since I graduated, initially at Christian Brothers College in Fremantle. I then moved to Christ Church Grammar School, where I taught for 16 years before taking on the responsibility of Head of Biology for the last 10 years.
Teaching provides the ability to make a contribution to the development of the individual and society as a whole. Introducing the boys to the technological aspects of science, such as biotechnology and nanotechnology, is very rewarding.
My days are certainly highlighted when the boys, after struggling, finally get what I'm teaching and thank me for the effort that has gone into helping them achieve their goals.
Science at UWA is a diverse faculty that provides the opportunity to learn from people who are at the forefront of their field. Take the opportunity to become involved in research projects as a stepping-stone to developing your own areas of interest.