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High School Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher

What They Do

Secondary School Teachers Career Video

Insider Info

Family and consumer sciences teachers (also called home economics teachers) teach subjects such as nutrition, budgeting, cooking, family living, sewing, child care, fashion design and many others. They work in school settings and have regular classes of 60 to 75 minutes each.

Their responsibilities include creating course materials, preparing for classes and scoring assignments. They also have administrative tasks.

Most teachers work more than 40 hours a week, and most work the traditional 10-month school year.

People trained as family and consumer science teachers may also work in diverse fields, such as school administration, commercial food service or health promotion.

They may be consultants, child-care instructors, corporate health advisors, athletic team health instructors, vocational coordinators, financial advisors or fashion technology instructors.

Numerous trends are affecting this profession.

Technology is being viewed as a priority. Both students and school districts are opting for technology electives. However, teacher Lorraine Pollock says there is an opportunity for creative teachers to address this issue.

"[Family and consumer sciences teachers] who have taught primarily cooking and sewing may be getting left behind. It's important now for us to modernize our approach and to look at ways that technology and family and consumer sciences fit together," says Pollock.

At a Glance

Teach fashion design, nutrition, technology and more

  • You'll likely work more than 40 hours a week
  • You must be comfortable with a wide range of subjects
  • You'll need to be certified by your state

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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OCAP believes that financial literacy and understanding the financial aid process are critical aspects of college planning and student success. OCAP staff who work with students, parents, educators and community partners in the areas of personal finance education, state and federal financial aid, and student loan management do not provide financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice. This website and all information provided is for general educational purposes only, and is not intended to be construed as financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice.