Teacher - Secondary School - Modern Studies

You would encourage young people to learn about how society works, think about values, conflicts, democracy, citizenship and understand how laws are made.

You would teach young people from 11 to 18 years old. You could work in public or private schools. You might also work in a college or learning centre.

As Modern Studies teacher you’d inspire and motivate them to understand more about values, conflicts of ideas and how they can influence events by exercising democracy and citizenship.

You’d teach students of different ages and abilities and prepare young people to take the National Qualifications and Highers in this subject.

There is national guidance for Curriculum for Excellence Social Studies and National Qualifications which you would use when planning your teaching.

You would:

• prepare lessons and teaching materials

• assess students’ progress and mark their work

• set homework

• manage classroom behaviour

• discuss students' progress with parents and carers

• organise study trips, social activities and sports events

You’d encourage the students to take pride in their achievements inside and outside school. You’d support them to build good relationships with other students and teachers and play a positive part in the life of the school and the local community.

You’d help them get the knowledge, skills and attributes they’ll need for a successful and positive life when they leave school.

Sometimes you will need to deal with challenging behaviour. It may be difficult to get some teenagers to study so you’d need to be imaginative and enthusiastic to keep them interested.

You’d need to attend meetings and training courses. You’d work closely with colleagues to plan the school’s timetables. It’s also important to work alongside other educational professionals like educational psychologists and social workers.

• Teach in Scotland - About a career in teaching: how to apply, studying, early career and professional development

• Education Scotland - Curriculum information, and advice and resources for teachers in Scotland

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