Before School:
* Preparation: Planning lessons, grading assignments, creating materials (worksheets, presentations, etc.), preparing the classroom environment. This might involve setting up labs, organizing materials for activities, or reviewing student work.
* Communication: Checking emails, responding to parent inquiries, communicating with other teachers or staff.
During School:
* Instruction: Delivering lessons, facilitating discussions, conducting activities, monitoring student engagement. This includes explaining concepts, answering questions, and providing feedback.
* Classroom Management: Maintaining order and a positive learning environment, addressing student behavior, ensuring a safe and respectful atmosphere. This requires constant vigilance and skillful intervention.
* Assessment: Monitoring student understanding through observation, questioning, quizzes, and tests. This also involves providing feedback and adjusting instruction based on student performance.
* Student Interaction: Building relationships with students, offering support and guidance, addressing individual needs and learning styles. This could include mentoring, counseling, or simply providing a listening ear.
* Collaboration: Working with other teachers, specialists (e.g., special education teachers, counselors), administrators, and support staff. This might involve team planning, co-teaching, or sharing resources.
After School:
* Grading and Feedback: Scoring assignments, providing constructive feedback to students, recording grades.
* Planning: Preparing for the next day's lessons, reviewing curriculum, updating lesson plans.
* Professional Development: Attending meetings, workshops, or conferences to improve teaching skills and stay current with best practices.
* Communication (continued): Responding to emails, phone calls, or other communication from parents, students, or colleagues.
* Record Keeping: Maintaining student records, attendance, and other required paperwork.
Other potential duties:
* Supervising students during lunch, recess, or other non-instructional times.
* Participating in school events and activities.
* Attending parent-teacher conferences.
* Engaging in professional development activities.
* Contributing to school committees or initiatives.
It's important to remember that this is not an exhaustive list, and the specific duties will vary widely depending on the context. A high school teacher's day will look significantly different from an elementary school teacher's day.