Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a High School Teacher
What high school teachers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Prepare slides and materials for a chemistry unit. From there, the day usually includes plan and teach lessons in a subject, grade assignments and exams, and prepare students for state and AP exams. Teachers work school-year schedules with evening grading and planning; summers are usually off.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a high school teacher working full time.
- Prepare slides and materials for a chemistry unit.
- Teach first period and take attendance.
- Run a lab with second period.
- Use the planning period to grade tests.
- Help students during lunch tutoring.
- Teach the last class and assign homework.
- Advise the robotics club after school.
Where high school teachers work
High school teachers work in classrooms and labs, with after-school activities, meetings and events.
Hours and schedule
Teachers work school-year schedules with evening grading and planning; summers are usually off.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Plan and teach lessons in a subject
- Grade assignments and exams
- Prepare students for state and AP exams
- Manage classroom behavior
- Differentiate instruction
- Advise clubs or coach activities
- Communicate with families and counselors
Tools you’ll use every day
- Learning management systems such as Canvas or Google Classroom
- Lab and subject equipment
- Interactive displays
- Gradebook software
- Online assessment tools
- Presentation software
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Teach a subject you love
- Mentor teens toward their futures
- Summers off
- Coaching and club opportunities
What’s hard
- Large grading workload
- Student motivation challenges
- Testing pressure
- After-school commitments
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love my subject
- I enjoy working with teenagers
- I can manage a classroom
- I want to mentor young people
- I don’t mind grading
- I want summers off
Not sure? Take the free High School Teacher fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow lab safety in science classes
- Know emergency procedures
- Report concerns as a mandated reporter
- Maintain professional boundaries with students