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Biology Teacher

Overview and Key Facts

biology teacher
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 biology teacher could...

 
Aquarium
Encourage students to explore how the ecosystem of an aquarium is similar to the ocean's ecosystem.
Microscope with tiny plant
Introduce students to microscopes and how they're used to see tiny plant and animal structures.
DNA
Explain to students what DNA is and how genetic mutations can lead to common diseases.
Student examining dissection
Plan a dissection lesson that will give students a firsthand understanding of anatomy and how their bodies work.
 
Aquarium Microscope with tiny plant DNA Student examining dissection

Overview Listen to this section

Life is all around us, in beauty and abundance, and the people who introduce students to how life forms live and interact are biology teachers. Their work helps develop the next generation of doctors, nurses, life scientists, and engineers. Their enthusiasm and appreciation for all life helps students understand their own bodies, and how life forms are all connected to each other and to their environments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-q-MPLY0k0

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Biology 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 Biology 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 Biology 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%)
Biology Teacher jobs (-1.60%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Biology 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

Biology teachers typically have a bachelor's degree in Biology, with an education minor or emphasis. Public school teachers also must earn a state-level teaching license.

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

High school biology teachers typically have a 4-year Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, with an education emphasis or minor. Courses in a biology program, with an education emphasis, might include math, chemistry, teaching methods and physics. Public high school biology teachers must be licensed by the state in which they teach. Private schools might not require licensure.

Companies That Hire Biology 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 to meet biology teacher Egda M. Morales-Ramos, who has found more satisfaction teaching than working in the pharmaceutical industry.
What I like best about my work is the opportunity to help my students learn biology and gain awareness of the new techniques and treatments in medicine. 
Egda M. Morales-Ramos, Biology Teacher
In this interview, you'll meet high school biology teacher Peggy Deichstetter, who had her first teaching experience as a high school student when her teacher got laryngitis and asked her to fill in.
One of the best parts of my job is a two-week Marine Science Seminar in Hawaii that I attend with my students each year. This is a life-changing activity for my students. They learn marine science and Hawaiian culture and lore.  
Peggy Deichstetter, Biology Teacher

Nature of the Work

High school biology teachers instruct secondary school students in the fundamentals of biology at both private and public schools. They develop engaging curricula, including lab experiments and other scientific investigations; present lessons; and evaluate student performance. High school biology teachers also set and enforce guidelines for classroom behavior and arrange parent-teacher conferences when needed. In addition to teaching, high school biology teachers can work as field biologists or curriculum specialists.

Work Environment

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.

Seeing students develop new skills and gain an appreciation of 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 schools. Teachers might experience stress in 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 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.

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

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 3 years. Tenure does not absolutely guarantee a job, but it does provide some security.

More Information

Ask Questions

Do you have a specific question about a career as a Biology Teacher that isn't answered on this page? Post your question on the Science Buddies Ask an Expert Forum.

Additional Resources

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