School Administration Job Responsibilities & Duties

Principals are also required to spend time after regular school hours attending school board of education meetings and school extracurricular activities. School administrators also handle discipline problems and suspension when students commit infractions against the school rules. Administrators and principals also work in conjunction with law enforcement and social services when criminal activity or suspected child abuse cases arise. The monitoring of school building expenses, approving purchase orders, and ensuring staff completes state mandated continuing education classes are also routine duties of a school building administrator or principal.

School Administration Salaries & Career Outlook

The following is a list of the various School Administration Careers and corresponding salaries according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

• School Administrators and Principals salaries averaged $77,740 annually in spring 2006.
• Educational Administrators in early childhood care centers averaged $37,740 per year.
• High School Administrators earn $92,965 on average each year.
• Middle School Administrators salaries can range from $55,ooo to as much as $121,000.
• Elementary School  Principals routinely earn $82,414 per year.
• Assistant School Principals & Vice Principals earn between $67,735 and $75,121 depending upon the building grade level.
• Preschool, and Day Care Administrator salaries range from $25,910 to $77,150

Jobs for Principals & School Administrators

Students in Educational Administrator programs of advanced study don’t actually have specialized areas of study related to grade level or subject matter. Most potential administrators confer with either their current employing school district or potential employer for guidance when scheduling coursework. Depending upon the tone and type of the school, specialized classes, such as foreign language, diversity in leadership, alternative forms of discipline, or related supervisory courses are recommended in addition to the core degree requirements.

Listed below are samplings of typical job categories for education administrators:

• Elementary School Principal
• Middle School Principal
• High School Principal
• Special Programs Administrator
• Dean of Students
• Assistant Principal
• Early Childhood or Preschool Administrator
• Vocational School Principal
• Human Resources Manager
• Public Relations Administrator
• District Grant Writer
• Employee Training Specialist

Professional Associations & Resources for Principals and Administrators

• AASA- American Association of School Administrators www.aasa.org
• NAESP- National Association of Elementary School Principals www.naesp.org
• NEA – National Education Association www.nea.org
• NSBA – National School Boards Association www.nsba.org
• NASSP – National Association of Secondary School Principals www.principals.org
• ED – Government Listing of the most popular Education Associations www.2.ed.gov
• PP – The Principals Partnership  www.principalpartnership.com
• ACSA – Association of California School Administrators www.acsa.org
• MESPA – Members of the National Association of Elementary School Principals www.mespa.net
• ASC – Association for Supervision and Curriculum www.ascd.org
• NMSA – National Middle School Association www.nmsa.org
• NREA – National Rural Education  Association www.nrea.net
• NAEOP – National Association of Education Office Professionals www.naeop.org
• NASPAA - National Assocaiton of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration www.naspaa.org
• ASPA – American Society for Public Administration www.aspanet.org

Educational Requirements for Principals & School Administrators

All school administrators or principals must obtain a degree of higher education, which commonly takes between two and five years for completion. A Doctorate of Education Degree can take up to seven years to accomplish all course components. Courses typically required for an administrative degree include methods in education, administration of personnel, public policy, ethics, instructional supervision, facilities management, Leadership theory, applied regression methods, diversity analysis, and governmental finance. Most medium to large universities offer Masters and Doctorate Educational Administrator Degree programs. Some state require an minimum number of years working in the field of education, in addition to holding a Bachelors Degree in Education prior to gaining admission to an advanced degree program.

Principal & School Administrator Online Degree Options:

• Masters of Education in Educational Leadership Online
• Masters of Science in Education in Educational Leadership Online
• Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Educational Leadership
• Online Masters Degree in Education
• Masters of Education in Educational Management Online

Teachers can also apply for supplemental contracts offered within a school district. Common short-term contracts are offered for duties such as coaching an athletic team, advising a school club, or supervising and organizing special events like graduation, prom, or a science fair.

Job Responsibilities and Duties for K-12 School Teachers

Teachers are required to accomplish far more than an enlightening lecture and the grading of homework. Daily duties also include monitoring discipline in the classroom, supervising students at recess, in the cafeteria, and on field trips. Teachers must also record grades, develop lesson plans, host conferences with parents, and satisfy continuing education requirements established by the employing school district and the state in which the teacher was licensed. Students must be instructed on the precise skills and knowledge necessary to pass state achievement tests. In some states, a teacher’s raise or continued employment can be affected by student’s performance on the governmental achievement tests. School districts receive a report card based upon the progress and scores of students on the mandated tests; school funding can be jeopardized by persistent below average test scores.

Educational Requirements for K-12 School Teachers

All teachers must possess a Bachelors Degree in Education and most must obtain a Masters Degree in Education for advancement.  Students must pass all general courses at the chosen college, as well as methods classes for the designated subject of study. Nearly all universities offer education courses, which take three to four years to complete. Education students must complete a quarter or semester long field study internship, and student teaching internships before graduation.

Bachelors of Science in Education courses vary dependent upon the grade levels the student will be instructing, but share many commonalities. All education students must pass courses in human development, cultural diversity, learning abilities and differences, communication methodology for selected subject focus, and social and economic influences on the educational process. Once completing all coursework, the student will submit to a background screening, and proceed to the state’s licensure examination.

K-12 School Teacher Online Degree Options

• Masters Degree in Reading
• Masters Degree in Math Education
• Masters in Gifted Education
• TESOL – Teaching English as a Secondary Language
• Masters Degree in Special Education
• Athletic Administration Degree
• Coaching Education Degree
• Master of Science in Education
• Art Education Degree
• Music Doctorate
• Educational Leadership Degree
• Curriculum and Instruction Degree
• Literacy K-12 Degree
• Inclusion Education Degree
• Master of Arts in Teaching
• Online Masters Degree in Education
• Masters in Music Education
• Masters Degree in Art Education
• Masters in Education

K-12 Teacher Areas of Specialization

• Early Childhood - Teachers who complete a degree with this designation are certified to offer instruction in grades Preschool through kindergarten. This type of educational degree allows a teacher to serve as a preschool or daycare head teacher or director.
• Middle Childhood – This educational designation allows a teacher to serve students in fourth through ninth grade. Teachers at this level can designate a minor area of concentration and teach one specific subject, or earn enhanced certifications. Courses, which focus on remedial reading, advanced math, special education, and technology, are examples of classes routinely offered through education learning departments.
• Secondary Education – Individuals, which earn this degree, can teach students in grades seven through twelve in a specified subject matter. Students must designate an area of concentration after gaining admission to the chosen school’s college of education.
• Special Education – Students earning a Bachelors Degree in with this designation can teach children with special needs, behavioral conditions, and multiple disabilities at any age level.

Job Options for K-12 School teachers:

• Public school teacher, offering instructions nine months a year in a traditional classroom setting for all students living in a specified geographic area.
• Private school teacher, offering instructions to students in a small classroom setting who pay tuition to attend the school. Students, which attend a private school, are often more advanced academically.
• Parochial school teacher, offering educational instruction in a religious sponsored school. Classes are typically smaller, and offer less disciplinary issues than a public school setting. Students typically pay tuition, or attend classes through a financial assistance grant.
• Charter schoolteacher, offering instruction in a school, which can have multiple age students in a classroom. Charter schools routinely focus on a specified concept of educational learning. Charter schools can be associated with artistic, musical, or advanced learning curriculums. Students pay tuition of attend classes with a financial assistance waiver.

Career Opportunities for K-12 School Teachers

Elementary school multiple subject teacher
Kindergarten teacher
Math teacher
Reading teacher
Spelling and language arts teacher
Science teacher
Social studies or history teacher
Government of civic teacher
Technology or keyboarding teacher
Business studies teacher
Journalism teacher
Agricultural studies teacher
Art Education Teacher
Music Education Teacher
History Teacher
Social Studies Teacher

Salaries for K-12 School Teachers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual earnings of public school teachers ranged from $43,580 to $48,690 as of May 2006. The lowest 10% of earned between $28,590 and $33,070 annually. The top 10% of educational professionals earned between $67,490 and $76,100 each year. Elementary and secondary public school teacher’s average wage, according to BLS is $52,630. Parochial and private schoolteacher’s average income was recorded at $42,920 per year.

Teaching & Education Associations

NEA – National Education Association
www.nea.org

NCSS – National Council for the Social Sciences
www.socialstudies.org

NSTA – National Science Teachers Association
www.nsta.org

SITE – Society for the Information Technology and Teacher Education
www.aace.org

NCTE – National Council of Teachers of English
www.ncte.org

NAEYC – National Association for the Education of Young Children
www.naeyc.org

NCTM – National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
www.nctm.org

NEA – National Education Association
www.nea.org

ACTFL – American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages
www.actfl.org

AFT – American Federation of Teachers
www.aft.org

ACE – American Council on Education
www.acenet.edu

NAEA – National Art Education Association
www.naea-reston.org

MTNA – Music Teachers National Association
www.mtna.org

Music teachers combine educational and artistic skills to teach music to students of all ages. Using a combination of theory and hands-on practice, music teachers provide instruction on a wide range of music-related topics from vocal theory to guitar to music history. Music teachers work in environments including the traditional classroom environment, music shops, colleges and universities, and in their own homes or studios.

Responsibilities

Music instructors provide both individual and group instruction, with duties ranging according to their particular position. While private music teachers often work with individual students or small groups, elementary and secondary school music teachers typically work with larger groups, directing the school band or choir in addition to providing lessons. Music teachers who work independently are often at liberty to design their own curriculum, while those in the public schools are at least somewhat beholden to a prescribed course of study.

Educational Requirements

Music teachers vary in the amount of formal training they possess. Some positions require at least a bachelor’s degree, while others may require an advanced degree, particularly at the college level. Other music teachers may have little to no formal schooling. However, it is important to possess musical skills and experience, as well as strong communication skills in order to develop a relationship with students.

Areas of Specialization
Music teachers work in a variety of environments, including the traditional classroom setting, private music stores, and their own homes, studios, or students’ homes. A music teacher can choose to specialize in a particular instrument or area of vocal study, or to focus on teaching music theory or history. Teachers can also specialize by workplace, choosing from public schools, private schools, other educational environments, or by working as an independent contractor.

Career Opportunities

Below is a list of possible career options for qualified music teachers. This is not a complete list and serves only as a guide to potential career paths.

• Drum Teacher
• Band Leader / Marching Band
• Elementary School Music Teacher
• Guitar Teacher
• High School Music Teacher
• In-House Music Teacher for Musical Instrument Shop
• Middle School Music Teacher
• Music Theory Instructor
• Private Music Teacher
• Piano Teacher
• Vocal Coach

Salary Ranges

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median annual earnings of kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers ranged from $43,580 to $48,690 in May 2006. While the lowest 10 percent earned $28,590 to $33,070, the top 10 percent earned $67,490 to $76,100. Salaries range for environments outside the standard public-school classroom environment.

Professional Organizations

There are several professional organizations and advocacy groups for teachers. These can prove a powerful resource and offer helpful information.

MENC – National Association for Music Education
www.menc.org

AFT – American Federation of Teachers
www.aft.org

GSN – Global SchoolNet Foundation
www.gsn.org

Art teachers offer arts education at various educational levels. Though many art teachers work in the traditional classroom environment, others work in prisons, hospitals, or retirement homes. Art teachers work to develop artistic skills and appreciation in their students through a combination of theory and hands-on projects. Teachers work in a variety of disciplines including literature, the visual arts, and performance.

Art School Teacher Job Responsibilities

Art teachers design and execute a curriculum to help students in a variety of environments increase their art knowledge and skills. They encourage their students to express their feelings and beliefs through art, and provide a combination of theory and hands-on projects to develop student abilities. Art teachers help students find a creative venue for their thoughts and opinions. They are also responsible for tracking student progress and assigning grades if applicable.

Art School Teacher Educational Requirements

Arts teachers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, either in education or a related field such as fine arts or art history, but some obtain more advanced degrees such as a master in art education. Those who do not earn their degree in education must separately attend an education program after getting their undergraduate degree. Art teachers must also obtain a state teaching license, and it is important to have artistic skills and interests.

Art School Teacher Areas of Specialization

Art teachers can work in the public schools at the elementary, middle or high-school levels. They can also choose to work in private schools, at the college or university level, or in other environments such as retirement homes, prisons, or hospitals.

Career Opportunities for Art School Teachers

Below is a list of possible career options for qualified art teachers. This is not a complete list and serves only as a guide to potential career paths.

College Art Professor
Elementary School Art Teacher
High School Art Teacher
Hospital Art Teacher
Middle School Art Teacher
Prison Art Teacher
Retirement Community Art Teacher

Salary Ranges for Art School Teachers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median annual earnings of kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary-school teachers ranged from $43,580 to $48,690 in May 2006. While the lowest 10 percent earned $28,590 to $33,070, the top 10 percent earned $67,490 to $76,100. Salaries range for environments outside the standard public-school classroom environment.

Art School Teacher Organizations & Resources

There are several professional organizations and advocacy groups for teachers. These can prove a powerful resource and offer helpful information.

NAEA – National Art Education Association
www.naea-reston.org

AFT – American Federation of Teachers
www.aft.org

GSN – Global SchoolNet Foundation
www.gsn.org