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Chemistry Teacher

Overview and Key Facts

Students in class with teacher supervision
Education
Education
Bachelor's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$64,580
Job Growth
Job Growth
-1.60%
(Below US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
1,076,700

What Do They Do?

A chemistry teacher could...

 
Cleaning spray
Inspire students to explore chemistry by challenging them to create an effective, eco-friendly cleaning solution.
Child thinking
Teach students the scientific method, including how to make observations, collect and record data, and draw conclusions.
Chocolate ice cream
Use fun kitchen projects, like making ice cream, to demonstrate what a chemical reaction is.
School bus with students
Lead a field trip to a local pharmaceutical company to help students understand how chemistry impacts their lives.
 
Cleaning spray Child thinking Chocolate ice cream School bus with students

Overview Listen to this section

When you hear the word chemicals, you might think of laboratories and scientists in white coats; but actually, chemicals are all around you, as well as inside of you. Everything in the world is made up of chemicals, also known as matter, or stuff that takes up space. Chemistry is the study of matter—what it is made of, how it behaves, its structure and properties, and how it changes during chemical reactions. Chemistry teachers are the people who help students understand this physical world, from the reactions within our own bodies to how soaps and detergents work and why egg proteins can keep a cookie from crumbling. They prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers, including all healthcare professionals. They also help also students develop scientific literacy.
Watch this video of Chemistry teacher Dr. Lew Davis who believes that a little bit of theatrics combined with chemistry demonstrations helps students start asking questions and get excited about chemistry. See how he becomes his alter ego Dr. Death and engages students with his chemistry show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q34tk3XYNs8

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Chemistry Teacher?


  1. Speaking: ?
  2. Instructing: ?
  3. Active Listening: ?
  4. Learning Strategies: ?
  5. Reading Comprehension: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Chemistry Teacher might do:
  • Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
  • Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
  • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
  • Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  • Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
  • Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
  • Assign and grade class work and homework.
  • Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
  • Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
  • Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
  • Instruct and monitor students in the use of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
  • Guide and counsel students with adjustments, academic problems, or special academic interests.
  • Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
  • Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
  • Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
  • Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
  • Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
  • Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of secondary school programs.
  • Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
  • Prepare for assigned classes, and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
  • Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
  • Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
  • Perform administrative duties, such as school library assistance, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
  • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
  • Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
  • Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
  • Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine students' strengths and needs.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Chemistry Teacher Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Chemistry Teacher jobs (-1.60%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Chemistry Teacher

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

The traditional route to becoming a public school teacher involves completing a bachelor's degree from a teacher education program and then obtaining a license. However, most states now offer alternative routes to licensure for those who have a college degree in other fields. Private school teachers do not have to be licensed, but might still need a bachelor's degree.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Bachelor's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

Typically, a bachelor's degree in chemistry, and certification to teach in high school, sometimes referred to as a single-subject certification, is necessary for teaching chemistry. These two requisites, as well as a semester of student-teaching, are usually completed simultaneously. Licensing is required by all states to teach in the public school system; however, it is not needed for private schools. Because requirements vary, contact the Board of Education within the state in which you want to teach.

Companies That Hire Chemistry Teachers

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Read this interview with Myra Thayer to understand why teaching high school chemistry requires you to be as much as people-person as a scientist.
I like teaching chemistry because it's not hard to get students engaged in what's happening because the labs provide that. 
Myra Thayer

Nature of the Work

A chemistry teacher presents concepts that are related to chemistry to high school students in public or private schools.

The majority of a chemistry teacher's time is spent with students in the classroom, with a smaller percentage spent in planning periods and meetings with other staff and parents. The duties of a chemistry teacher include creating lesson plans; preparing and delivering lectures; creating and supervising laboratory activities for students; evaluating student performance; maintaining classroom records; meeting with parents, teachers, and other professionals; and participating in campus events. They may use a variety of teaching techniques, including the use of textbooks, white boards, technology integration, and hands-on materials.

Depending upon the expectations of the employing school, additional research, supervisory, or organizational duties might also be required of a chemistry teacher. Chemistry teachers are generally expected to participate in ongoing professional development and to stay informed about developments in their field.

Work Environment

Seeing students develop new skills and gain an appreciation for knowledge and learning can be very rewarding. However, teaching can be frustrating when one is dealing with unmotivated or disrespectful students. Occasionally, teachers must cope with unruly behavior and violence in the schools. Teachers might experience stress when dealing with large classes, heavy workloads, or old schools that are run down and lack modern amenities. Accountability standards also might increase stress levels, with teachers expected to produce students who are able to exhibit a satisfactory performance on standardized tests in core subjects. Many teachers, particularly in public schools, also are frustrated by the lack of control they have over what they are required to teach.

Teachers in private schools generally enjoy smaller class sizes and more control over establishing the curriculum, and setting standards for performance and discipline. Their students also tend to be more motivated, since private schools can be selective in their admissions processes.

Teachers are sometimes isolated from their colleagues because they work alone in a classroom of students. However, some schools allow teachers to work in teams and with mentors, to enhance their professional development.

Many teachers work more than 40 hours a week, including school duties performed outside the classroom. Most teachers work the traditional 10-month school year, with a 2-month vacation during the summer. During the vacation break, those on the 10-month schedule might teach in summer sessions, take other jobs, travel, or pursue personal interests. Many enroll in college courses or workshops to continue their education. Teachers in districts with a year-round schedule typically work 8 weeks, are on vacation for 1 week, and have a 5-week midwinter break.

Most states have tenure laws that prevent public school teachers from being fired without just cause and due process. Teachers may obtain tenure after they have satisfactorily completed a probationary period of teaching, normally three years. Tenure does not absolutely guarantee a job, but it does provide some security.

More Information

Ask Questions

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Additional Resources

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