Career summary

Details for Adult Literacy, Remedial Education, and GED Teachers and Instructors


Description

Teach or instruct out-of-school youths and adults in remedial education classes, preparatory classes for the General Educational Development test, literacy, or English as a Second Language. Teaching may or may not take place in a traditional educational institution.

Tasks

  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, abilities, and interests.
  • Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress and make suggestions for improvement.
  • Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
  • Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws or administrative policies.
  • Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
  • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
  • Conduct classes, workshops, and demonstrations to teach principles, techniques, or methods in subjects, such as basic English language skills, life skills, and workforce entry skills.
  • Prepare students for further education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students for whom they are responsible.
  • Provide information, guidance, and preparation for the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) examination.
  • Assign and grade class work and homework.
  • Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
  • Register, orient, and assess new students according to standards and procedures.
  • Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
  • Prepare and administer written, oral, and performance tests and issue grades in accordance with performance.
  • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
  • Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
  • Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or special academic interests.
  • Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
  • Review instructional content, methods, and student evaluations to assess strengths and weaknesses, and to develop recommendations for course revision, development, or elimination.
  • Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons that promote learning, following approved curricula.
  • Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
  • Attend professional meetings, conferences, and workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
  • Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
  • Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
  • Select, order, and issue books, materials, and supplies for courses or projects.
  • Collaborate with other teachers and professionals in the development of instructional programs.
  • Participate in publicity planning, community awareness efforts, and student recruitment.
  • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
  • Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, contests, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
  • Advise students on internships, prospective employers, and job placement services.
  • Select and schedule class times to ensure maximum attendance.
  • Write grants to obtain program funding.
  • Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
  • Train and assist tutors and community literacy volunteers.
  • Confer with leaders of government and community groups to coordinate student training or to find opportunities for students to fulfill curriculum requirements.
  • Observe and evaluate the performance of other instructors.
  • Write instructional articles on designated subjects.

Interests

  • Artistic - Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
  • Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
  • Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
  • Experience - A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Knowledge

  • Administration and Management -Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Psychology -Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • Geography -Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
  • Education and Training -Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Customer and Personal Service -Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English Language -Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Skills

  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.

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