Secondary school teachers may be generalists or subject area specialists who provide instruction to young people in junior and senior high school (Grades 7 to 12).

In general, secondary school teachers:

• identify students' individual and collective learning needs
• plan and deliver instruction based on student learning needs and special needs
• provide a stimulating learning environment in which each student can experience growth and develop to his or her potential
• help students learn appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Secondary classes vary in size and are made up of students who represent a broad range of abilities, interests, needs and problems. Teachers use various instructional techniques to maintain student interest and maximize individual learning within a group teaching environment.

In addition to preparing and presenting lessons, secondary school teachers:

• evaluate and communicate student progress
• prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help
• meet with other professionals to discuss individual student needs and progress
• volunteer to supervise extra-curricular and after-school activities
• attend meetings, seminars and in-service training sessions.

Most of these additional duties occur after regular school hours and add considerable length to the working day. Some teaching specializations may concentrate on preparation and organization, while others may involve more marking or extra-curricular involvement.

Secondary teachers in large urban schools often teach many classes in only one or two subject areas. In smaller rural schools and schools with a generalist approach, secondary teachers are required to teach a broader range of subjects and grades.

Academic specialists teach core courses such as English language arts and math. They prepare and present academic course content in a clear and creative way by using techniques and materials designed to motivate students. Their duties also may include:

• laboratory preparation and the maintenance of laboratory materials
• working with individuals or small groups of students who require additional help.

In addition to second languages taught as specific subjects, many schools offer language immersion programs at various levels. Bilingual and multilingual teachers may teach academic subjects in languages other than English.

English as a second language (ESL) and English Language Learners (ELL) teachers work with immigrant children whose English skills are insufficient for the regular classroom. The objective of an ESL or ELL program is to integrate students into mainstream classes by:

• providing students with the necessary English vocabulary
• assisting students with communication skills and strategies
• helping students adjust to Canadian society.

Fine arts teachers are usually artists and performers in their own fields. For more information, see the Dancer, Instrumental Musician, Painter/Printmaker, Singer and Sculptor occupational profiles.

Career and technology studies teachers are usually specialists in their fields. For more information, see the Career and Technology Studies Teacher occupational profile.

Physical Education teachers work toward producing a desirable level of physical fitness and motor skill development in their students through recreational activities such as:

• indoor and outdoor games
• individual, dual and team sport activities
• rhythmics and dance
• tumbling and gymnastics
• aquatics.

Secondary teachers spend most of their working day instructing classes. They may teach 150 or more students a day. The work can be demanding, requiring a great deal of physical, mental and emotional energy. Many hours are spent out of class working with individual students and preparing lessons and marking assignments.

Most secondary schools are well equipped, attractive facilities with up-to-date audio-visual, language laboratory, computer and scientific equipment.

In Alberta, the minimum qualification required to teach in a secondary school is four years of post-secondary education leading to a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree. The following post-secondary institutions offer B.Ed. degree programs:

• Canadian University College in College Heights offers a four year B.Ed. program with a specialization in secondary education. The admission requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent with a competitive average in English Language Arts 30-1, Pure or Applied Math 30 and two other 30 level courses, preferably laboratory sciences.
• The King's University College in Edmonton offers a two year B.Ed. after-degree program in secondary education. The admission requirement is a bachelor's degree (that includes all but three credits of a teachable major and all but nine credits of a teachable minor), successful interview with the Dean and a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.7/4 in the last 60 credits.
• Red Deer College offers a four year B.Ed. degree program with a specialization in middle school (Grades 4 to 9) in collaboration with the University of Alberta. The admission requirement is successful completion of the first two years of the B.Ed. elementary program or completion of an approved degree program. Admission to this program is limited to the 40 applicants who have the highest GPA.
• The University of Alberta in Edmonton offers B.Ed. degree, joint degree and after-degree programs through the Faculty of Education and the Faculte Saint-Jean. The admission requirement for the Faculty of Education is a competitive average in one year of pre-professional studies (usually in arts, science, human ecology or physical education) including 24 units of transferable course weight to the student's B.Ed. major. Admission to pre-professional studies programs generally requires a competitive average in English Language Arts 30-1, plus four other approved Grade 12 subjects from the humanities, fine arts and sciences. The admission requirement for the Faculte Saint-Jean program is the same except that 30 level French is specifically required.
• The University of Calgary offers after-degree and combined degree programs in secondary education. Students take three years in a communication and culture, fine arts, kinesiology or science program, then transfer to education for the remaining two years of a five year combined degree program. The admission requirement for the communication and culture program is a competitive average in five Grade 12 subjects: English Language Arts 30-1; one of the following: Pure or Applied Math 30, Math 31, or a 30-level language other than English; and three of the following: Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Physics 30, Social Studies 30, Science 30 or one other five credit Grade 12 subject.
• The University of Lethbridge offers combined degree and after-degree B.Ed. programs. The admission requirement for the after-degree program is a GPA of at least 2.5/4 in a bachelor's degree program with a major in a school subject. Students are admitted to the Faculty of Education after two or three years of university studies. Admission requirements for combined degree programs depend on the combined degree desired. The basic entrance requirement is a competitive average in English Language Arts 30-1, three 30 level subjects (math or science courses may be required or recommended) and a fifth Grade 12 subject.

Secondary education students in B.Ed. programs must choose at least two subject areas of concentration. Teaching particular subjects at the high school level may require specific courses. For example, post-secondary courses in geography are required to teach Social Studies.

The University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge have an established quota for their program and the University of Alberta has an enrollment management program where applicants compete for entrance into the Faculty based on their major field of study and grade point average. The number of successful applicants and entrance requirements may vary from year to year. Competition for admission is keen and universities give preference to those who have experience working with children in a leadership capacity. Valuable experience can be obtained from:

• playground supervision
• day care work
• hospital volunteering
• amateur sports coaching
• teacher assistant work
• working with youth in organized groups.

Post-secondary institutions throughout the province offer university transfer programs that allow students to apply up to two years of study toward university bachelor's degree programs. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the courses they choose to take will be accepted for credit at the institution to which they wish to transfer.

For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

Under Alberta's School Act and Certification of Teachers Regulation, school teachers must be certified by Alberta Education.

Secondary teachers are employed in:

• public and separate schools
• private schools
• hospitals
• vocational schools and colleges.

With experience and further education, secondary school teachers may advance to positions such as:

• department head
• co-ordinator of a particular subject area in a large school or school system
• specialist in a department of education, university or school district
• school administration (vice-principal, assistant principal, principal).

In Alberta, most people employed as secondary school teachers work in the Educational Services industry.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Educational Services industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

In large urban centres, the supply of secondary school teachers is generally greater than the demand. To find employment, beginning teachers may:

• relocate to smaller, rural or northern communities
• work as supply (substitute) teachers.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next ten years.

Since teachers' salaries and benefits are determined by negotiated agreements between school boards and their teachers, salaries vary from one board to another. However, all teachers are paid according to a grid system based on their number of years of university training and number of years of teaching experience.

According to the 2009 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Secondary School Teachers group earned from $21.58 to $53.33 an hour. The average wage was $39.81 an hour.

For more detailed information, see WAGEinfo.

All teachers employed in Alberta's publicly supported schools are members of the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) and are automatically included under the Alberta Teachers Pension Plan Act. Holidays and pensions are specified by provincial legislation. However, teachers often use the summer break period of July and August, or Christmas and spring break holidays, for professional development or for fulfilling additional professional responsibilities.

Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above)

EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo

Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) website: www.teachers.ab.ca