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Homeschool Teacher Duties and Responsibilities

Homeschool teachers work in a variety of teaching environments. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary, but there are several core tasks associated with the role, including:

Teach Lesson Plans Homeschool teachers are hired to prepare curriculum for classes and individually instruct students. They carry out daily lesson plans by following state guidelines. Homeschool teachers are responsible for planning and developing consumable educational content for homeschool age children.

Manage Classrooms Whether teaching one student or an entire group, homeschool teachers practice classroom management techniques to create a positive and effective classroom environment. A homeschool teacher must be able to meet students’ individual needs and assist with differentiated learning. Excellent homeschool teachers facilitate routines, rituals, and celebrations that create a healthy learning atmosphere and boost student independence.

Conduct Student Testing Homeschool teachers implement state-mandated testing. When needed, they conduct formal or informal assessments of student progress using checklists, rubrics, testing tools, and student work. They document testing results and use them to adjust student learning as needed.

Design Lesson Plans Most homeschool teachers design an individual course of study for each learner under their care. They research, plan, and organize in collaboration with students and their parents to decide which curriculum is the most effective for the learner’s educational goals. Successful homeschool teachers learn multiple teaching strategies to accommodate diverse student needs and learning styles.

Support Student Events Homeschool teachers often help organize and attend activities that support their homeschool students. They assist with school events and fundraising. They encourage community relations, involve themselves with the families they teach, and create a warm, nurturing atmosphere for positive learning.

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Homeschool Teacher Skills and Qualifications

Successful homeschool teachers must have a passion for working with children and strong communication skills. Licensing and certificates required for this position vary by state. Employers typically look for a minimum of one year of teaching experience and the following skills:

  • Teaching – a great homeschool teacher is highly engaging and keeps the attention of students during lessons through use of teaching techniques, which are adapted to their students’ learning styles
  • Time management – every day, homeschool teachers manage a variety of tasks, from teaching and attending events to planning lessons and testing. They keep all of these activities organized and handle their responsibilities in a timely way
  • Curriculum development – homeschool teachers often pull from multiple sources to create a unified curriculum they use to teach their students
  • Physical fitness – a homeschool teacher must be able to see, hear, speak, read, write, walk, sit and stand, and in some cases lift a minimum of 50 pounds
  • Communication skills – homeschool teachers communicate often with students, parents, and volunteers, clearly expressing their needs and their students’ needs
  • Leadership skills – an effective teacher guides their students on the path to success
  • Emotional intelligence – flexibility and sensitivity to the feelings and needs of others is a must for homeschool teachers. They must empathize with their students and parents to promote a favorable learning environment
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Homeschool Teacher Education and Training

A high school diploma is the minimum requirement for most homeschool teacher positions. A state license or teaching certificate for a given subject is required for some jobs. Other employers simply require prior experience in teaching or equivalent university preparation. Many employers look for candidates with teaching experience in multiple core academic subjects, or those who have worked in alternative learning environments.

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Homeschool Teacher Salary and Outlook

According to PayScale, the average annual salary for full-time homeschool teachers is $45,483. Those in the lowest percentile earn around $37,000, while the highest paid and most experienced workers make upwards of $73,000. Self-employed homeschool teachers who work part time generally earn $30 to $60 per hour.

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Helpful Resources

There are many helpful resources available for those interested in becoming a homeschool teacher. Take a look at these links that are full of learning opportunities and teaching guides:

The Ultimate Guide To Homeschooling Your Kids – Homeschooling kids is worth considering, but it’s not a decision you should rush. Read this before you pull your kids out of public school.

National Homeschool Association – NHSA is the national headquarters for homeschooling and offers activities and resources for homeschoolers and homeschool teachers nationwide

Homeschool Teacher: A Practical Guide to Inspiring Academic Excellence – written for those new to homeschooling, this guide provides helpful tips for combining the best of traditional academics with child-led learning to maximize a student’s potential

Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School – this a comprehensive guide to designing a homeschool curriculum written by leading homeschooling expert Rebecca Rupp

The Best Homeschooling Resources Online – check out this resource page full of top resources for online curriculums, online learning, and educational philosophies