* School District/State Regulations: Some districts have stricter guidelines on teaching hours than others.
* Class Size and Number of Classes: More classes and larger classes mean more direct teaching time.
* Extracurricular Activities: Coaching a team, sponsoring a club, or participating in school events adds significantly to the workload.
* Preparation Time: Planning lessons, grading papers, creating tests, and professional development all take considerable time outside of classroom instruction.
* Administrative Tasks: Meeting with parents, attending faculty meetings, completing paperwork, and communicating with administration all contribute to the overall hours.
While a teacher might have a contracted time of, say, 7 hours a day, it's common for high school teachers, especially math teachers who often have substantial grading needs, to work significantly more than that – often between 40 and 60 hours a week, or even more. The actual number is highly variable and personal.