A chemistry teacher works in a high school and educates students on the ins and outs of chemistry. Depending on the grade of students being taught, a chemistry teacher may either focus on the foundations of chemistry and the more basic principles that lie behind it, or teach more advanced material if they’re working with higher-grade students. Additionally, a chemistry teacher performs experiments for the students when demonstration is necessary for the teaching process, and also assists them in performing their own experiments during practice sessions.
Chemistry teachers must have perfect knowledge of the subject, regardless of the grade they’ll be teaching in – a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry is the absolute minimum requirement for the job, while some schools with higher reputation may even require a Mater’s degree from candidates. As a teaching position, the job requires good communication skills and the ability to explain complex concepts in a simple manner. Additionally, a strong sense of working safety is a must, as some of the experiments performed by students can pose hazards if not properly supervised.
A chemistry teacher, like most other teaching positions, tends to be paid moderately well. An annual salary of $32,000 – $45,000 is the most common, while some high-ranking schools and colleges may pay up to $65,000 per year to more experienced teachers. As with other types of teaching jobs, the number of years of working experience can greatly affect not only the income of a teacher, but also their ability to find future employment.