STEM Teacher

Working Schedule

• STEM Teachers work full-time, Monday through Friday. They may work overtime to prepare lessons and activities, grade assignments, or serve on committees. They must also spend time keeping up with changes in their respective fields. 
• At the college level, STEM educators are often required to engage in research, attend professional organization events, and publish articles.  
• During periods when school is out (i.e., summer and holiday breaks), there may be less work, but teachers still have to prepare for upcoming terms. 

Typical Duties

High School Level

• Review textbooks and create lessons based on core competency learning objectives for the grade being taught
• Use a variety of teaching methods and instructional materials to keep STEM learners engaged
• Organize individual and group activities aimed at developing STEM-specific skills
• Prepare activity materials. Incorporate digital classroom best practices 
• Provide opportunities for students to get hands-on practice 
• Plan and carry out field trips to relevant STEM-related sites to support learning 
• Set up audio/visual or computer equipment; give lectures and presentations 
• Monitor student behavior and progress during class 
• Enforce classroom and school district rules, model proper behavior, and work with mental health counselors or principals to ensure learners understanding and compliance 
• Create inclusive environments where learners can focus and feel supported
• Support student STEM clubs and camps!
• Stay abreast of unique learner situations. Provide added support as needed 
• Prepare students for standardized tests
• Record student performance and offer insights about strengths and areas for improvement to learners and parents
• Assign and grade homework. Review quiz and test subject matter
• Track attendance and calculate overall grades

College Level

• Develop an appropriate STEM curriculum with a syllabus to share ahead of time
• Ensure the college department’s student learning objectives are met via the instruction given
• Set up audio/visual or computer equipment. Give lectures and presentations 
• Provide opportunities for students to get hands-on practice. Suggest internships or cooperative education opportunities 
• Assign reading, activities, or projects to develop STEM-specific skills
• Enforce classroom and college rules and model proper behavior
• Meet with students during office hours to answer questions or make course recommendations. Refer students to appropriate officers or academic advisors, as needed
• Grade assignments and exams
• Collaborate with other instructors or professors to create new program curricula, including distance learning programs

Additional Responsibilities

• Meet with college deans and school heads to provide feedback on program success
• Conduct research, apply for grants, and write articles for academic journals
• Participate in professional organizations and contribute to the advancement of one’s particular STEM field 
• Supervise or mentor teaching assistants and post-doc researchers
• Help familiarize new instructors and adjunct professors with programs
• Serve on institutional committees, as needed (such as hiring committees) 
• Stay on top of STEM trends and advances to ensure the curriculum is up-to-date
• Work on tenure qualifications

Soft Skills

• Ability to monitor and assess learner behavior
• Compassion
• Composure 
• Coordinating and instructing activities
• Desire and aptitude to help others succeed
• Empathy
• Keen organizational skills
• Investigative
• Leadership
• Objectivity 
• Patience
• Resilience
• Resourcefulness
• Social and cultural awareness 
• Sound judgment and decision-making
• Strong communication skills, including active listening 

Technical Skills

• Expertise in the applicable STEM field (either generalized or specialized)
• Familiarity with applicable lab instruments or tools (for example, microscopes, test tubes, beakers, magnifying glasses, volumetric flasks, Bunsen burners, droppers, thermometers, tongs, scales, burettes, funnels, ammeters, etc.)
• Familiarity with educational software and school database automation systems 
• Knowledge of printers, scanners, photocopy equipment, and presentation equipment 
• Microsoft Office, Google apps, Macintosh software
• Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and goals 

• Private and public schools
• Technical, trade, and business schools
• Junior/community colleges
• Colleges and universities

STEM Teachers need plenty of patience and enthusiasm to teach in today’s modern classrooms. While many students are relatively adept with certain STEM subjects, others may struggle with the material. It’s vital to teach in a way that helps everyone feel welcome and supported while staying on target with learning objectives for the entire class. 

 Because science and technology are always evolving and advancing, it’s crucial for teachers to keep up with changes and not rely on outdated knowledge or instructional material. They also have to put in the hours necessary to come in ready to teach for several hours a day, then grade assignments, track student progress, and handle administrative duties. This sometimes means putting in overtime, especially for college-level educators! 

Robotics has long been a subject of interest in schools, but today’s robotics competitions are seeing massive levels of engagement, attracting even more students to the field. 

STEM is also being integrated into classrooms for much earlier age groups than ever before, which makes sense because young kids are exposed to so much tech at home (via smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, video games, apps, etc.). In fact, many children are discovering STEM through toys, without even realizing it. By the time students enter high school, many have built up various IT skills through self-study and practice. 

As mentioned previously, there’s a trend to incorporate more arts-related topics into the world of STEM, thus creating STEAM! For example, music classrooms are finding ways to teach learners about technology through various music tech programs. 

The fields of science, tech, engineering, and math cover a LOT of ground, so when it comes to what STEM Teachers liked doing when they were younger, there are too many things to list here. 

Suffice it to say, they probably enjoyed learning about their respective fields of STEM through specific activities. For instance, tech majors may have been immersed in programming languages. Engineers might have loved tinkering with mechanisms or electronics. STEM Teachers are usually practical and analytical, yet outgoing and always open to learning new things!