briefcase icon

Can’t keep your job search organized?

Track all your applications in one place with the Zippia extension for Chrome.

High School English Teacher skills for your resume and career

Updated April 25, 2024
7 min read
High School English Teacher Example Skills

A high school English teacher needs a variety of hard skills, including classroom management, curriculum development, language development, and grammar. They also need to be able to design and produce multimedia presentations to enrich the learning experience. As Dr. Audrey Church Ph.D., Chair, Department of Education and Counseling; Professor of School Librarianship at Longwood University, says, "In the field of education, skills that will become even more important and prevalent are really at, what I would consider, opposite ends of a spectrum: at one end, interpersonal skills--strength and knowledge in the areas of social and emotional learning and trauma-informed teaching; at the other end, technology skills-refining and enhancing information literacy and digital literacy skills

In addition to these hard skills, a high school English teacher also needs to possess certain soft skills. They need to be able to foster classroom environments that are conducive to learning and promote excellent student engagement. They also need to be able to analyze student data to establish individualized learning and growth goals. As Dr. Diana Turk Ph.D., Director of Teacher Education and Chair, Dept of Teaching and Learning at New York University, puts it, "The ability to reach and teach students with disabilities, students who have been trauma impacted, and students with specified language learning needs is going to be of even more importance than it is now (and it's essential now)

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical high school english teacher skills. We ranked the top skills for high school english teachers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 13.2% of high school english teacher resumes contained classroom management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a high school english teacher needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 high school english teacher skills for your resume and career

1. Classroom Management

Classroom management is the ability to create and maintain a productive learning environment in the classroom. High school English teachers use classroom management techniques to foster peer interaction, control challenging behavior issues, and establish effective teaching methods. They also employ consistent and fair classroom management policies, modify curriculum for special needs students, and assess student achievement.

Here's how high school english teachers use classroom management:
  • Used classroom management techniques to foster peer interaction among students in defined learning situations.
  • Instituted positive classroom management strategies and disciplinary programs that effectively controlled challenging behavior issues

2. Professional Development

Professional development refers to the continuous learning and growth of a professional, such as a high school English teacher. It involves improving one's skills, knowledge, and pedagogy by attending workshops, conferences, and other professional development opportunities. High school English teachers use professional development to stay up-to-date on new teaching methods and strategies, as well as to learn how to better serve their students' needs. They might attend courses on technology integration, best instructional practices, and personalized learning. As Dr. Sarah Donovan, Assistant Professor of Secondary English Education at Oklahoma State University, puts it, "The field of education needs to continue to professionalize like healthcare fields. Teachers from accredited programs with certification will earn a higher salary."

Here's how high school english teachers use professional development:
  • Provided professional development for colleagues around performance-based assessment, using technology to facilitate student collaboration, and best instructional practices.
  • Stay abreast of research based instructional strategies by attending professional development sessions and reading professional educational research.

3. Curriculum Development

Curriculum development is the process of creating and improving curriculum designs. High school English teachers use curriculum development to create lesson plans that meet state standards and improve student performance. They may also collaborate with other teachers and administrators on scheduling activities and conduct surveys to identify areas for improvement. For example, they may conduct surveys to determine what projects are needed to enhance the curriculum for each class.

Here's how high school english teachers use curriculum development:
  • Served on curriculum development team.
  • Served as a high school English instructor and coordinated curriculum development that met state standards and student performance improvement processes.

4. Language

Language is the ability to communicate using words and grammar. High school English teachers use language to teach students about literature, writing, and critical thinking. They also help students improve their own writing and comprehension skills. As Stephanie Sisk-Hilton Ph.D., Professor at San Francisco State University's Department of Elementary Education, puts it, "Teachers who are able to understand and build on [students'] language and cultural backgrounds are invaluable."

Here's how high school english teachers use language:
  • Fostered critical thinking and reasoning with language in a class setting designed to stimulate individual expression and creativity.
  • Promoted internationalization in Japanese communities by improving foreign language education and developing international exchange at the community level.

5. Student Learning

Student learning is the process of acquiring and applying new knowledge and skills. High school English teachers use student learning by designing lessons and curriculums to enhance it, incorporating technology as a teaching tool, and conducting research to improve their teaching methods. They also work directly with other educators to achieve student learning objectives. According to Sylvia Read Ph.D., Professor and Associate Dean for Teacher Education at Utah State University, "Teachers have had to become much more fluent with technology to enable their teaching and student learning, and this will carry through and be refined over time."

Here's how high school english teachers use student learning:
  • Designed and produced series of multimedia presentations; enriched student learning experience and contributed to retention of at-risk middle school population.
  • Implemented family contract to eliminate truancy trends and enhance student learning by parent/guardian involvement.

6. Language Arts

Language arts is the study of how humans use language. High school English teachers use language arts to teach students how to analyze literature and strengthen their critical thinking and writing skills. They integrate language arts into their lesson plans by including writing exercises and analyzing literary and informational texts.

Here's how high school english teachers use language arts:
  • Teach a variety of English/Language Arts courses to high school students in an online environment.
  • Chaired the English-Language Arts Department 7-12th grades.

Choose from 10+ customizable high school english teacher resume templates

Build a professional high school english teacher resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your high school english teacher resume.

7. Learning Environment

A learning environment is a setting that promotes student-centered education. High School English Teachers use learning environments to create an atmosphere that fosters student growth. They consult with other instructors to develop lessons that cater to individual educational plans and promote academic goals. They also ensure healthy relationships with students and faculty, organize lessons, and communicate effectively to create a good learning environment. As Julie Irene Bost, Assistant Professor at The University of North Carolina Greensboro, puts it, "Teachers need to continue to develop skills for teaching in remote, virtual, and hybrid learning environments."

Here's how high school english teachers use learning environment:
  • Consulted with inclusion instructor to develop differential lessons and to accommodate individual educational plan requirements and to enhance learning environment.
  • Provide a learning environment that is student-centered and aligned with CEP academic goals and educational objectives.

8. English Language

The English language is a set of rules that govern how words are used to convey meaning. High school English teachers use the English language to teach students how to read, write, and speak effectively. They create differentiated lesson plans for English Language Learners and multicultural students, and they work to help students acquire the language skills they need to succeed academically. They also strive to improve students' basic interpersonal communication skills.

Here's how high school english teachers use english language:
  • Supported academic language acquisition of English Language Learners and helped cultivate their basic interpersonal communication skills.
  • Created differentiated lesson plans for English Language Learners and multicultural students.

9. Grammar

Grammar is the set of rules that govern how words are combined to form sentences. High school English teachers use grammar to instruct students on how to structure their writing and reading comprehension. They plan lessons on grammar and vocabulary development and model standard and nonstandard grammar comparatively for practical exercises. They also develop lesson plans with a focus on grammar, poetry, and creative writing. As Charles A. Dana Professor of English at Davidson College, Cynthia Lewis Ph.D., puts it, "a command of the vocabulary of English grammar and an ability to explain good grammatical practices" is crucial for high school English teachers.

Here's how high school english teachers use grammar:
  • Planned and prepared daily lesson plans and materials on literature, grammar and vocabulary development.
  • Modeled standard and nonstandard grammar comparatively for practical exercises.

10. American Literature

American literature is a collection of literature produced in the United States. High school English teachers use American literature to teach students about the country's history and culture. They research and organize class discussions on classic and present-day American literature, develop curriculum for new courses, and create lesson plans that incorporate the creative writing process and drama-based activities. They also teach courses in American literature, British literature, and world literature.

Here's how high school english teachers use american literature:
  • Researched, organized and implemented curriculum and class discussions on classic and present-day American literature.
  • Developed core curriculum for new courses in American Literature, Contemporary Literature, and Exposition.

11. Student Achievement

Student achievement refers to the academic success of students. High school English teachers use it by leading students to achieve proficiency, adhering to state standards, and creating programs to recognize student achievement. They also provide support to promote student success.

Here's how high school english teachers use student achievement:
  • Led over 150 students to achieve 88% proficiency in student achievement, 20% above the district's average.
  • Adhere to Florida state standard, benchmark, and school objectives to maintain student achievement and learning goals.

12. Student Performance

Student performance refers to the quality of a student's academic performance. High school English teachers use student performance to evaluate student progress and identify areas that need improvement. They use this information to tailor their teaching methods to better support their students. They may also communicate with parents about student performance to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding a student's academic progress.

Here's how high school english teachers use student performance:
  • Adapted and modified student tasks focused on actively achieving significant increases in student performance on all wide-ranging testing.
  • Participated in many teaching seminars focused on improving student performance for lower and higher performing students.

13. State Standards

State standards are specific goals for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. High school English teachers use state standards by designing and implementing lesson plans and assessments to align with these standards. They create culturally responsive units, lesson plans, and activities based on these standards, ensuring all students learn. They also build and develop curriculum for school to align with state standards, and design course material to meet state standards.

Here's how high school english teachers use state standards:
  • Organize focused and challenging lesson plans aligned with the common core state standards designed to meet the needs of all students.
  • Designed and implemented lesson plans and assessments to align learning to North Carolina State Learning Standards and Common Core State Standards.

14. Learning Process

The learning process refers to the way we learn and absorb information. High school English teachers use the learning process to communicate with families and leadership teams about student progress. They also help students identify barriers to learning and develop creative solutions. They guide the learning process towards achieving curriculum goals and engage all students by using different teaching and presentation techniques.

Here's how high school english teachers use learning process:
  • Communicated information on student progress to families and leadership teams and collaborated with them to meet goals and support learning processes.
  • Coached 50+ students to identify barriers to the learning process and aided them in developing creative solutions to their challenges.

15. Public Schools

Public schools are schools that are funded and managed by the government. High school English teachers use public schools by involving Native American teens in teaching projects, adapting the curriculum to meet the needs of at-risk students, and creating customized curriculum according to the school's standards. As Stephanie Sisk-Hilton Ph.D., Professor at San Francisco State University, puts it, "Teachers in public schools are generally paid on a published salary schedule, and so the best ways to increase income are to earn a Master's degree and to gain experience."

Here's how high school english teachers use public schools:
  • Continue to involve Native American teens in teaching projects in D.C. public schools and at Green Acres School.
  • Adapted the Pittsburgh Public Schools Curriculum to meet the needs of at risk students.
top-skills

What skills help High School English Teachers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What soft skills should all English Instructors possess?

Dr. Mark Fulk Ph.D.

Associate Professor, SUNY Buffalo State

English majors, while many are introverted thinkers, are good workers on group projects. They are affable and adaptable, good conversationalists who are also good listeners. They allow others to find their own voice and do their work while contributing their own insights. They are great for being engaged in culture and perpetuating the kinds of self-directed learning that is expected of English majors inside and outside the classroom.

List of high school english teacher skills to add to your resume

High School English Teacher Skills

The most important skills for a high school english teacher resume and required skills for a high school english teacher to have include:

  • Classroom Management
  • Professional Development
  • Curriculum Development
  • Language
  • Student Learning
  • Language Arts
  • Learning Environment
  • English Language
  • Grammar
  • American Literature
  • Student Achievement
  • Student Performance
  • State Standards
  • Learning Process
  • Public Schools
  • Classroom Environment
  • Instructional Strategies
  • Blended Learning
  • Instructional Materials
  • IEP
  • ESL
  • Course Content
  • Student Data
  • Social Justice
  • Drama
  • Assessment Tools
  • Test Scores
  • Fine Arts
  • Student Engagement
  • Child Left Behind
  • Social Studies
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • IV
  • Poetry
  • Freshmen
  • III
  • Learning Styles
  • IB
  • Public Speaking
  • School Administration
  • British Literature
  • PowerPoint
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Syllabus
  • Course Materials
  • Homework Assignments
  • Progress Monitoring
  • Tenth Grade
  • School Management

Updated April 25, 2024

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse education, training, and library jobs