Common teacher job titles include Preschool Teacher, Kindergarten Teacher, Elementary School Teacher, Middle School Teacher, High School Teacher, Special Education Teacher, ESL Teacher, Substitute Teacher, Teaching Assistant, Paraprofessional, Reading Specialist, Instructional Coach, Department Head, Lead Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator. Titles usually describe the grade level or subject taught, and senior titles add coaching, leadership or curriculum responsibilities.
Below are teacher job titles grouped by grade level, subject, support roles and leadership, with a short description of each, plus tips for using them on a résumé.
Teacher Titles by Grade Level
- Preschool Teacher / Pre-K Teacher: Teaches young children early literacy, numbers and social skills through play.
- Kindergarten Teacher: Leads the first year of formal schooling in most US elementary schools.
- Elementary School Teacher: Usually teaches one class most subjects, often titled by grade, such as “3rd Grade Teacher.”
- Middle School Teacher: Teaches one or two subjects to several classes of students in the middle grades.
- High School Teacher: Specializes in a subject, such as “High School Math Teacher.”
- Adult Education Teacher: Teaches adults working toward a high school equivalency, literacy or language skills.
Subject and Specialist Teacher Titles
- Math, Science, English, History or Social Studies Teacher: Subject titles common in middle and high school.
- Art, Music, Drama or Physical Education Teacher: Specialist roles that often serve the whole school.
- STEM Teacher / Computer Science Teacher: Teaches technology, coding or integrated science and engineering.
- World Language Teacher: Teaches a language such as Spanish, French or Mandarin.
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher: Teaches job skills in areas such as health science, construction or business.
- Special Education Teacher: Teaches students with disabilities, often writing and carrying out individualized education programs.
- ESL / ELL Teacher: Supports students learning English as an additional language.
- Gifted and Talented Teacher: Provides enrichment for advanced learners.
- Reading Specialist / Literacy Interventionist: Works with students who need extra help with reading.
Support and Classroom Staff Titles
- Teaching Assistant / Teacher’s Aide: Helps the lead teacher with small groups, materials and supervision.
- Paraprofessional / Paraeducator: Supports students, often in special education settings.
- Substitute Teacher: Covers classes when the regular teacher is absent; long-term substitutes may run a class for weeks or months.
- Student Teacher: A teacher-in-training completing a supervised placement.
- Tutor / Interventionist: Works one-on-one or in small groups on specific skills.
Senior and Leadership Teacher Titles
- Lead Teacher / Master Teacher: An experienced teacher who models lessons and supports colleagues.
- Department Head / Department Chair: Leads a subject department in a middle or high school.
- Grade-Level Team Leader: Coordinates planning for teachers in the same grade.
- Instructional Coach: Observes and coaches teachers to improve instruction.
- Curriculum Coordinator / Curriculum Specialist: Plans and reviews curriculum and materials for a school or district.
- Assistant Principal and Principal: Administrative roles that usually require additional credentials beyond teaching.
Using Teacher Titles on a Résumé
- Be specific. “7th Grade Science Teacher” tells a hiring manager far more than “Teacher.”
- Include your certification area. Many districts screen by certification, so list it near your title. Requirements differ by state and country.
- Show leadership roles separately. If you were also a Department Head or Team Leader, list it as its own line with dates.
- Use the posting’s wording. If a district advertises “Literacy Interventionist,” use that phrase if it matches your experience.
For other fields, see our lists of criminal justice and HVAC job titles, maintenance job titles and the bank job titles hierarchy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a higher title than teacher?
Within the classroom track: Lead Teacher, Department Head, Instructional Coach and Curriculum Coordinator. On the administrative track: Assistant Principal and Principal.
What is the difference between a teaching assistant and a paraprofessional?
The roles overlap. “Paraprofessional” is common in US public schools, especially in special education; “Teaching Assistant” or “Teacher’s Aide” is used more generally.
What do you call a teacher who helps other teachers?
An Instructional Coach, Mentor Teacher or Master Teacher, depending on the school or district.
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