12 Facts About Middle School Teachers

That transitional period between elementary school to middle school can be one of the most vital for students.

It represents a transition from essential learning to serious study, where school becomes more about succeeding and learning more about subjects and less about knowing the basics. As such, middle school teachers face difficulty in providing their students with the best possible education – but we wouldn’t change it for the world.

If you’re considering exactly what a middle school teacher does, or you’re wondering just how much we do for our students, look no further. Read on for 12 facts about middle school educators, and discover just how much we sacrifice to offer our students the best education possible:

1. Think middle school teachers get summer off to relax? Think again. Over the summer, most teachers will still work full workdays, either managing their workload for the next year, learning the new curriculum, or furthering their learning with additional courses and training.
2. Over 45% of teachers drop out of middle and elementary school teaching within the first five years, making it a difficult and stressful career for many recent graduates. Reasons cited include a lack of support for the administration and district and the long hours required for the job.
3. The middle school makes up the important formative years for many children when they learn what subjects they enjoy and develop a greater understanding of the world. As such, it’s no surprise that teachers can have 20x more influence on a middle schooler’s education than their class size or socioeconomic status.
4. While middle school education is highly rewarding, it doesn’t pay as well as many other options. The typical salary for high school educators is a little higher, and in comparison to similarly qualified jobs, the pay is more than 13% less than for roles outside the classroom.
5. Female teachers in elementary and middle schools account for more than 8 out of 10 teachers. But male teachers in the field are slowly increasing over time, with MenTeach reporting a percentage of 20.7% in 2017.
6. Middle Schools aren’t as popular as other forms of school in education, but many parents consider middle school teachers a vital transition for their children between elementary and high school. Of 97,000 public schools, 13,100 are middle schools, according to Teach.com.
7. Middle school teachers have to have exceptional skills in a range of subjects. While elementary school teaches the basics, this phase of education prepares students for high school life. This is the last stage, where one educator will teach them all subjects.
8. Middle school teachers often major in the one subject they want to teach. However, teachers are required to understand a range of different subjects, so it’s more likely that a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Grades Education is what the majority of teacher hold.
9. The average salary for a middle school teacher, as determined by OOH, is $54,880. This is considered below a living wage in many metropolitan areas of the USA and is below the cost of affording a house – showing just how dedicated middle school educators are to their students, despite the low salary.
10. On a more positive note, middle school teachers – and teachers in general – are considered the second-based job in society for their positive contributions. Only falling narrowly behind the military when it comes to offering individuals a better chance of success and meaning in their lives.
11. Teaching may be considered one of the most stressful careers. Still, for middle school educators, it provides a consistent job for many years, with more than 80% of educators remaining in one school for a large portion of their careers.
12. Middle school teachers bridge the gap between early learning and high school reduction, making their role vital in preparing students academically and emotionally for their next stage in life. For children, this can make all the difference to their chances of success further down the line.

Do you have some top facts about middle school teachers, or do you want to tell us why you think they are so valuable to society?