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Remember that one special teacher? Everyone has one--the teacher who took the time, made a difference, always listened, and really cared. With a secondary education teacher degree, you can be that teacher who makes a difference. Secondary education teachers work with high school and, sometimes, vocational school students. All 50 states require teachers be licensed, and most require a bachelor's degree, although states offer alternative licensing for hard-to-fill positions. Secondary education teachers work with students studying a post-elementary curriculum and often specialize in one subject, such as math or English. Here are some skills needed to teach high school students:

• good communications skills
• the ability to motivate students
• the ability to teach individuals according to their needs

What You Need to Know to Earn Your Secondary Teaching Degree

To pursue a secondary education career, you need to earn a teaching certificate or degree. A secondary education teaching bachelor's of science degree takes two and a half years. The curriculum includes:

• principals of communications,
• economics,
• general psychology, and
• expository reading and writing.

Classes include mathematics and sciences, child development, and more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts secondary education teachers will continue to be needed, with the field growing about as fast as average for all occupations, but with employment in some high-demand areas like math, science and bilingual education growing faster. Median annual wages for public school teachers ranged from $74,100 to $51,180 in spring 2008.