Computer Science Teacher

Working Schedule

• A Computer Science Teacher generally works full-time, Monday through Friday. During periods when school is out (i.e., summer and holiday breaks), there may be less work, but teachers still have to prepare for upcoming terms. 

Typical Duties

• Develop a comprehensive CS curriculum appropriate for the grade being taught
• Prepare daily lessons and activity materials. Incorporate digital classroom best practices 
• Use a variety of teaching methods and instructional materials to keep students engaged
• Give lectures and presentations 
• Provide opportunities for students to get hands-on practice 
• Introduce programming languages like Java and C++. Develop student computer literacy
• Organize activities aimed at developing CS-specific skills
• Set up audio/visual or computer equipment 
• Monitor student behavior and progress during class 
• Enforce classroom rules and model proper behavior
• Record student performance and offer insights to students and parents, when necessary
• Assign and grade homework. Review quiz and test subject matter
• Track of attendance and calculate grades
• Mentor individual students or assist small groups to offer personalized guidance with assigned tasks
• Offer additional support to students facing unique learning challenges

Additional Responsibilities

• Offer CS career advice
• Collaborate with peers on creating and improving student programs
• Work with teachers and parents to review student progress
• Stay on top of CS trends and advances to ensure the curriculum is up-to-date

Soft Skills

• Ability to monitor and assess student behavior
• Compassion
• Composure 
• Coordinating and instructing activities
• Desire and aptitude to help others succeed
• Empathy
• Keen organizational skills
• Leadership
• Objectivity 
• Patience
• Resilience
• Resourcefulness
• Social and cultural awareness 
• Sound judgment and decision-making
• Strong communication skills, including active listening 

Technical Skills

• Expertise in computer science and information technology
• Knowledge of programming languages 
• Knowledge of visual presentation equipment 
• Knowledge of printers, scanners, and photocopy equipment
• Microsoft Office, Google apps, Macintosh software
• Using various school database automation systems 
• Familiarity with educational software designed for students

• Private and public schools
• Technical, trade, and business schools
• Junior/community colleges
• Colleges and universities

Computer Science Teachers must exhibit both patience and enthusiasm while teaching in dynamic, fast-moving classrooms. Students come from very diverse backgrounds and may have different levels of experience with computer science, so it is important to proceed at a pace that keeps things moving forward without leaving anyone behind. 

Like all educators, CS Teachers should model exemplary behavior while managing their classrooms and keeping students focused and on track. They must come to work well-prepared for the technical lessons and activities planned for the day, yet stay flexible enough to answer detailed questions and encourage discussion on new topics. Computer science is ever-evolving and sometimes students have information to share that teachers aren’t fully aware of.

Computer Science Teachers will use an established curriculum but need to keep up with changes to ensure what they’re teaching is accurate and relevant. Hot topics they should keep their eyes on include virtual reality, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), computer vision and natural language processing (NLP), and robotics. Other areas that never stop advancing are the Internet of Things, quantum computing, cloud computing, big data, and cybersecurity. 

Teachers cannot be subject matter experts on all these topics, but it’s good to stay informed and be able to answer questions. Sometimes teachers may even find themselves learning from their students, so it is important to come in with an open mind, be willing to listen, and allow students to share knowledge.

Most Computer Science Teachers probably enjoyed learning about programming languages through hours of practice. They may have taken math and IT-related classes in high school or participated in online forums where they could share information and ask questions. A lot of computer gurus read industry magazines and articles or watch video tutorials to pick up new skills. 

While the wide world of CS attracts people from all walks of life, sometimes introverted personality types are drawn to this field more than extroverts or people who feel a need to be outdoors all day.