Teacher vs. Administrator: What Are the Differences?

Teachers and administrators are both essential members of the education field. While teachers typically work with students in the classroom, administrators may have a more broad role that includes duties such as developing curriculum, managing budgets and hiring staff. If you’re interested in a career in education, understanding the similarities and differences between these two positions can be helpful. In this article, we compare and contrast teachers and administrators, and we provide information on what you may need to pursue each profession.

What is a Teacher?

Teachers typically work in schools and instruct students in a particular subject area, such as math, science, English or social studies. They develop lesson plans, grade papers and tests, and maintain student records. They also advise and counsel students on academic and personal issues. Some teachers may also coach sports teams or sponsor extracurricular clubs. Teachers typically work during school hours, but they may also be required to work before or after school to attend faculty meetings or help with extracurricular activities.

What is an Administrator?

Administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization. They develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that the organization runs smoothly. Administrators also oversee the budget and financial planning for the organization. They may also be responsible for human resources functions, such as hiring and firing staff, managing employee benefits, and handling employee relations issues. Administrators typically work in an office setting, but they may also travel to meet with clients or other employees.

Teacher vs. Administrator

Here are the main differences between a teacher and an administrator.

Job Duties

Teachers have a lot of different responsibilities depending on the age group they teach and the subject they instruct. They may prepare lesson plans, write exercises and activities and devise ways to assess student understanding. They also spend class time leading their students through these instructional activities.

Administrators have many of the same duties as teachers, but they often have additional responsibilities related to running a school effectively. For example, administrators may oversee facilities management, like scheduling maintenance workers and ensuring buildings are safe for use. They may also manage school policies and procedures, such as hiring and firing staff members and creating disciplinary measures.

Job Requirements

To become a teacher, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field. You will also need to complete a student teaching internship as part of your degree program. Once you have completed your degree and internship, you will need to obtain a state teaching license. Some states also require teachers to pass a basic skills test and/or a subject matter exam.

To become an administrator, you will need at least a master’s degree in education administration or a related field. You will also need to complete an administrative internship as part of your degree program. Once you have completed your degree and internship, you will need to obtain a state administrator license. Some states also require administrators to pass a basic skills test and/or a subject matter exam.

Work Environment

Administrators typically work in an office setting, but they may also travel to different schools or districts. They spend most of their time working on paperwork and attending meetings with other administrators.

Teachers usually work in a classroom environment, although some teachers may teach at multiple locations throughout the day. Teachers can also work as tutors for students who need extra help outside of school hours.

Skills

Both teachers and administrators need to have excellent communication skills. Teachers use communication to deliver lectures, lead class discussions and provide feedback to students. Administrators use communication when they are writing memos, meeting with staff members and presenting to the school board.

Both teachers and administrators also need to be organized. Teachers need to be able to keep track of their lesson plans, assignments and student progress. Administrators need to juggle multiple tasks and priorities at any given time. They may also need to maintain records and files for the school.

While both teachers and administrators benefit from having people skills, administrators typically need stronger interpersonal skills. This is because they often deal with conflict resolution, managing staff members and dealing with parents.

Salary

The average salary for a teacher is $54,715 per year, while the average salary for an administrator is $59,199 per year. The salary for both positions may vary depending on the level of education you have, the state in which you work and the type of school you work for.