Middle school can be a testing time for students; it’s a transition between elementary and high school, where they meet new teachers and face more challenging learning outcomes. Does this mean that a different teacher teaches each subject, or can middle school teachers teach all subjects?
Middle school teachers don’t teach all subjects because the curriculum is more advanced and requires expert knowledge compared to elementary school. These teachers teach one subject they majored in while in college. Sometimes they combine subjects with overlapping teaching units, like math and physics.
In the rest of this article, I will explain in more detail why middle school teachers do not teach all subjects and why such a situation would be unfavorable for both teachers and students. I will also discuss what type of education one needs to complete to become a middle school teacher and which subjects have the highest teacher shortage.
Can a Middle School Teacher Teach Multiple Subjects?
Middle school is the period that typically covers grades 6 to 8. Sometimes, middle school includes grades 5 to 9, depending on the state and school district. The following video explains the American school system division well:
Middle school prepares children for high school, emphasizing students’ independent work and learning. For this reason, a system similar to the one in elementary school isn’t suitable for this age group.
Namely, in elementary schools, the students usually have only one teacher who teaches all subjects and is used to these methods. Students have less homework and a greater focus on learning from hands-on experiences. However, promoting learners’ autonomy isn’t the only reason middle school teachers can’t teach all subjects.
As we grow, our intellectual abilities change. Students within this age group (11 to 13 years old) have better cognition, larger memory capacity, and longer attention spans. Because of these reasons, middle school students can understand various abstract concepts, and their learning materials should reflect this.
Consequently, middle school teachers must be experts in their study fields to explain different concepts to their students efficiently and effectively. This aspect is why it’s challenging for a single teacher to teach all subjects.
Why Most Teachers Don’t Teach Multiple Subjects
Simply put, it’s highly unlikely for one teacher to teach multiple subjects in middle school. It’s uncommon for one person to have a thorough knowledge of subjects belonging to fields that are so broad and varied; for example, history and biology.
English teachers must have an excellent command of English grammar. They also have to be able to analyze and explain English literature to students. Students will often be asked to write essays for schools, so English teachers must also evaluate their writing skills.
Math teachers have to be considerably better than average with numbers. They have excellent analytical thinking that will help them explain complex math equations to students in a simplified way. They must be familiar with different mathematical operations, geometry, and algebra.
Elementary school math includes basic math operations that most adults use for everyday tasks like simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc. Because elementary school math is simpler, it’s easier for elementary teachers to teach math, even if they may not have a major in this subject.
Some subjects, like music or physical education, require more specialized teaching. Physical education teachers must understand the human body’s abilities and how it works. They must also be in good physical condition to demonstrate different exercises and sports to students.
Therefore, different subjects require different skills. It’s hard for one person to possess all those required skills.
Which Subjects Are Taught in Middle School?
The middle school curriculum doesn’t change much from elementary school, but the learning materials differ in scope and complexity. Generally, middle schoolers have the following subjects:
- English
- Mathematics
- Social studies
- Science
- Music
- Art
- Physical Education (P.E.)
- IT
Many schools also involve elective subjects like drama, foreign languages, cooking, design technology, etc.
How Many Subjects Can Be Taught by a Single Teacher?
Still, it’s pretty standard for one teacher to teach 2 or 3 different subjects that are related in some way. For example, those specializing in natural sciences can often combine chemistry, biology, and physics.
Mathematics and physics have many overlapping lessons, like converting measurement units. Many physics assignments also require a good knowledge of complex mathematical operations, and teachers who are well-versed in such knowledge can teach multiple subjects.
Another example where a single teacher may teach multiple subjects is in the field of humanities, where Social Studies, History, and Geography are often grouped together as they share overlapping topics.
What College Education Do Middle School Teachers Need?
Becoming a middle school teacher generally involves the following steps:
- Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in your teaching field.
- Completing a preparation program for teachers.
- Becoming certified by the state you’ll be teaching in.
Middle school teachers should be subject-matter experts. They can major in biology, mathematics, etc. Teachers must also complete minors related to teaching that will give them knowledge of different teaching concepts. These can include teaching methodology, classroom management, etc.
The teacher preparation program combines studying theoretical principles related to teaching and gaining some practical experience in the classroom.
Student teachers start by shadowing a more experienced educator, and gradually, they are given more teaching and classroom responsibilities. By the end of the intern program, the student teacher should be comfortable assuming the role of the teacher.
Finally, teachers need to get a certification issued by their state. This step involves passing certification exams that test their knowledge regarding the subject matter and practical skills.
Which Subjects Have a Shortage of Teachers?
If you want to be a middle school teacher but are unsure about which subject to major in, here are some fields that are experiencing a shortage of teachers:
- Science: Students often find natural sciences like biology, chemistry, and physics challenging. For this reason, schools need well-qualified teachers who can make these subjects more engaging and easier to comprehend for students.
- Math: Seen as a core subject universally, math teachers are always in high demand. Students from elementary level to college can study STEM courses, so teachers are encouraged to major in this field to help boost their chances of being recruited.
- Bilingual education: The US has many international exchange students and those born outside of America who speak different world languages. These students, in particular, would benefit from bilingual educators. Schools favor teachers who can speak multiple languages.
- Special education: Some students might have physical or psychological disabilities that make their school experience more arduous than average. These students need assistance from competent and supportive educators who can adapt the teaching to cater to their needs.
Another thing that can help you get teaching jobs more easily is obtaining a master’s degree. Teachers with a master’s degree earn around $5,000 more per year than teachers without a master’s degree.
Conclusion
In middle school, students typically change multiple teachers because it’s unrealistic to expect one educator to have expert knowledge about a variety of different subjects. However, having a single teacher teaching two or more related subjects, such as physics and math or biology and chemistry, is not unusual.
If you are an elementary school teacher and are wondering if you could teach in middle school, you can find out by reading this related article.
Sources
- StudentScholarships: 5 In-Demand Subjects that Need Qualified Teachers
- Education Degree: Teacher Salary with a Master’s Degree
- USAHello: A Guide to the US Education Levels
- Teaching Expertise: 20 Interesting Middle School Electives
- Calvert Education: Middle School Curriculum – Grades 6-8
- WGU: What Does A Middle School Teacher Do?
- Teacher Certification Degrees: How to Become a Middle School Teacher: Career and Salary Information
- Masters Education: Teaching Middle School | Masters in Education
