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Teacher Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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A 54096826793teacher5.81daycare2.64education2.5child care2.38preschool teacher1.58100396012411657.2525.5671.80HOURLY49895406752025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Teacher, or Classroom Instructor, is responsible for supervising, educating and supporting students to help them accomplish learning benchmarks. Their duties include planning lessons that target specific skills and concepts, managing classroom behavior to keep all students engaged in the lesson and providing individual support and feedback for their students.

Teacher duties and responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of Teachers vary depending on the age and abilities of their students. Primary School Teachers typically have a heavier focus on social and formative skills, while Secondary and Postsecondary School Teachers focus on selecting and developing skills for specific career paths. Examples of their common duties and responsibilities include:

  • Establishing and enforcing rules of behavior for students in the classroom
  • Preparing lessons, units and projects to complete learning objectives
  • Establishing and communicating clear objectives for lessons, units and projects
  • Adapting teaching methods and materials to meet the interests and learning styles of students
  • Encouraging students to explore learning opportunities and career paths
  • Creating, assigning and grading various assessments for students, including tests, quizzes, essays and projects
  • Working with students one-on-one when they need extra help or attention
  • Tracking and evaluating student academic progress
  • Leading parent-teacher meetings
  • Maintaining positive relationships with students, parents, coworkers and supervisors
  • Managing student behavior
  • Creating a safe, respectful and inclusive classroom environment
  • Communicating regularly with parents
  • Helping students improve study methods and habits
  • Administering tests to evaluate students’ progress

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Teacher Job Description Examples

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Job Description Best Practices
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What does a 54096826793teacher5.81daycare2.64education2.5child care2.38preschool teacher1.58100396012411657.2525.5671.80HOURLY49895406752025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Teacher do?

Teachers lead classrooms at public and private schools to guide their students and help them understand academic information. They write curriculum, create worksheets, give lectures and guide students through interactive lessons, using different teaching styles to reinforce essential information. Teachers supervise the class throughout lessons and use techniques to correct unfocused behavior without distracting other students. They build trust with students as a way to manage their behavior and encourage engaged participation in the coursework.

Teachers use grading rubrics to assign scores to assignments and give feedback that their students can apply to future lessons. They track each child’s progress and meet with them to determine how to reach testing benchmarks. Teachers may also meet with parents to collaborate on additional support and accommodations.

Teacher skills and qualifications

A successful 54096826793teacher5.81daycare2.64education2.5child care2.38preschool teacher1.58100396012411657.2525.5671.80HOURLY49895406752025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Teacher needs to have a strong set of skills in order to perform their required job duties, such as:

  • Ability to develop lesson plans and successfully instruct students in theories, methods and tasks
  • Ability to effectively communicate with others and clearly express complex ideas
  • Proficient active listening skills to understand and adapt to students’ various learning needs
  • Knowledge of appropriate learning psychology, styles and strategies
  • Strong public speaking and oral presentation skills
  • Excellent organization and time management skills
  • Advanced technology skills to track student attendance and grades and present creative lessons
  • Leadership skills and patience for working with students of all ages

Teacher salary expectations

Teachers make an average of $17.51 per hour in the United States. This rate may vary depending on the state and type of school, such as public, private or charter schools.

Teacher salary expectations

2025-10-017.2525.5671.80HOURLY
  • Common salary: 25.56 HOURLY
  • Typical salaries range from 7.25 - 71.80 HOURLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Teacher education and training requirements

In the United States, education requirements for Teachers may vary by state. In most cases, employers look for candidates who have graduated from a four-year college or university with a degree in a discipline related to the subject they plan to teach. Primary School Teachers might instead have an undergraduate degree specific to elementary education. Additionally, candidates may be required to have appropriate teaching certifications and licensure in accordance with applicable state regulations. A quality candidate may also be enrolled in or have a master’s degree in education.

54096826793teacher5.81daycare2.64education2.5child care2.38preschool teacher1.58100396012411657.2525.5671.80HOURLY49895406752025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Teacher experience requirements

Teachers pursuing a postgraduate degree in education may have initial teaching experience through fellowship programs required to complete their education. Many new Teachers gain experience as Teacher Assistants or Assistant Teachers, which is something most employers look for in candidates. They also prefer applicants who have prior experience in the field or discipline they plan to teach. In some cases, professionals who have gained experience in a specific field, such as English or science, choose to obtain teaching certifications and licensure to become Teachers in those fields.

Teacher Job Description Template

We are looking for a committed Teacher to complement our qualified workforce of educators. You will be responsible for preparing and implementing a full educational teaching plan according to the school’s requirements. It will be fundamental to provide knowledge and instruction to students while also helping them develop their personalities and skills. The ideal candidate will be passionate for the job with an ability to reach out to students and create a relationship of mutual trust. They will know how to organize a class and make learning an easy and meaningful process. The goal is to help cultivate the students’ interest in education and be their dedicated ally in the entire process of learning and development.

Responsibilities

  • Present lessons in a comprehensive manner and use visual/audio means to facilitate learning
  • Provide individualized instruction to each student by promoting interactive learning
  • Create and distribute educational content (notes, summaries, assignments, etc.)
  • Assess and record students’ progress and provide grades and feedback
  • Maintain a tidy and orderly classroom
  • Collaborate with other teachers, parents, and stakeholders and participate in regular meetings
  • Plan and execute educational in-class and outdoor activities and events
  • Observe and understand students’ behavior and psyche and report suspicions of neglect, abuse, etc.
  • Develop and enrich professional skills and knowledge by attending seminars, conferences, etc.

Requirements

  • Proven experience as a 54096826793teacher5.81daycare2.64education2.5child care2.38preschool teacher1.58100396012411657.2525.5671.80HOURLY49895406752025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Teacher
  • Thorough knowledge of teaching best practices and legal educational guidelines partnered with a willingness to follow the school’s policies and procedures
  • Excellent communicability and interpersonal skills
  • Well-organized and committed
  • Creative and energetic
  • Strong moral values and discipline
  • Knowledge of CPR
  • Degree in teaching or in a specialized subject with a certificate in education

Job description samples for similar positions

If this job description isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, see our job description samples for related positions:

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Frequently asked questions about Teachers

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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Job Description Examples

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