Skilled Computer Teacher Job Description

Teaching the principles of computers to students of different ages and at different levels is the job description of a computer teacher. They may work in elementary, middle school, high school or college classrooms or even in large companies that have ongoing training programs.

Position Description

A computer teacher is a vocational educator in the field of computer science and related technological areas who coaches and teaches students in the fundamentals of computer software and hardware.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities of a Computer Teacher

• Creates lesson plans that are appropriate for the age and abilities of the students in the class.
• Evaluates student performances in class and on tests and provides feedback.
• Assigns special projects to students.
• Communicates students’ progress to parents, particularly regarding students who need tutoring or other extra assistance.
• Provides appropriate resources and learning materials for students.
• Identifies varying teaching methods that work best for students who learn differently.
• Develops and updates curriculum for the classroom.
• Conducts research.
• Encourages creativity in students.
• Maintains computer laboratories and keeps an inventory of supplies.
• Ensures that computer equipment is functioning properly.
• Maintains accurate records of students’ progress in class and on examinations.
• Keeps order in the classroom and handles student behavior issues in accordance with school system policies.
• Maintains an orderly classroom stocked with appropriate supplies.
• Stays up-to-date on changes and advancements in computer technology taught in the classroom.
• Petitions administrators for updated hardware and software for the classroom.
• Runs the classroom within the allocated budget.
• Keeps all classroom work backed up.
• Ensures that the internet in the classroom is used only for appropriate educational purposes.
• Posts grades and sends grade reports to parents as required by the school system.
• Teaches remote or online classes to adult students who cannot take part in daytime classes.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must have exceptional computer skills.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have knowledge of a wide range of computer technologies.
• Must have excellent trouble shooting skills.
• Have superior dexterity for keyboarding and operating a mouse.
• Must have excellent critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Must have strong organizational and time management skills.
• Must have good social networking skills.
• Must have understanding of computer monitors, central processing units, operating systems, hard drives and file storage.
• Must have strong public speaking skills.
• Must be detail oriented and mechanically inclined.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field.
• Licensing required in the state of employment.
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or a similar field.
• Continuing education courses for keeping up with technological advancements.
• Certification through the Computer Science Teachers Association or CSTA.

Work Environment

• Time is spent working with students in a climate controlled classroom or laboratory setting.
• Must be willing to teach night classes when necessary.
• Time off in the summer is typical for public school teachers in the computer field.
• Time is spent looking at a computer screen, keyboarding and manipulating a mouse.

Salary

• Salaries range from $40,000 to $65,000 depending on level of education, years of experience and specific employer.