Career and Technical Education Teachers
Additional Information
Duties
The following is a typical list of what career and technical education instructors do:
- Organize your classroom by creating lesson plans and homework assignments.
- Educate pupils on how to improve their abilities in a certain area.
- Using hands-on exercises, demonstrate how classroom concepts may be put into practice.
- Make that the appropriate use of tools and equipment is shown and always supervised.
- Observe students' progress, set assignments, and grade them.
- Discuss the development of pupils with teachers, parents, and other advisors.
- Establish and enforce regulations and safety procedures in the classroom.
Students of vocational and technical education (CTE) are guided in their quest to choose a job or trade that they are interested in pursuing. Various teaching approaches are used to assist students learn and develop skills relevant to a particular job or course of study. Tasks, procedures and instruments employed in a certain profession are shown. Hands-on jobs like repairing automobiles' brakes or measuring blood pressure may be given to students. In most schools, workshops and laboratories are run by teachers who supervise these kinds of activities.
Some professors collaborate with local companies and non-profit groups to provide pupil’s real-world experience. Students in career and technical student groups can also turn to them for advice and direction.
Depending on the grade level and topic matter, CTE teachers have different responsibilities. Classroom lessons are supplemented by hands-on activities in the lab or workshop at both the middle- and high-school levels.
They teach specialized career skills at postsecondary schools to assist students acquire certifications, diplomas, or associate degrees and prepare them for a particular employment. Welding teachers, for example, advise students on the proper methods and safety precautions for welding. To ensure that students are properly using tools and equipment, they monitor their use as well as practice processes until they match industry requirements.
Most states require middle and high school teachers to specialize in a single career field while planning their course of study. Teachers in career and technical education (CTE) offer training that combines academics with hands-on experience in the fields in which they specialize.
Agriculture, food, and natural resources instructors, on the other hand, cover topics such as agribusiness, veterinary science; and food, plant, and animal systems. For example, they may have students grow and care for crops or animals as a means of applying their knowledge from the classroom.
Education
A bachelor's degree in the subject field is generally required for vocational and technical teachers.
All states require prospective career and technical education teachers to participate in a student teaching program with a mentor teacher. Learn more about teacher education programs in your state at Teach.org.
Expertise in a Related Field
Many career and technical educators lack relevant work experience. Teaching is one of those jobs that need years of expertise.
Licenses and certifications.
States might require career and technology education instructors in public schools to be licensed or certified. The following elements are frequently requested by states for certification and licensing:
- A 3.0 GPA is necessary for a bachelor's degree.
- Completion of student teaching.
- The capacity to do a background check.
- They must pass a teaching certification test as well as a subject exam.
- For state certification requirements, go to Teach.org.
Career and technical education instructors may be obliged to hold the same credentials as their students. For example, welding instructors in vocational and technical schools may need to be qualified. Renewal of teaching licenses or certifications may involve yearly professional development courses.
In certain locations, prospective teachers who have a bachelor's degree or professional experience but lack the required education courses may be able to get certification or licensure. Alternative education focuses on teaching methods, curriculum development, and classroom management.
Advancement
Instructors with greater expertise can guide or lead rookie teachers in their trade.
Teachers can become counselors, instructional coordinators, or principals. These jobs frequently need a master's or doctorate degree. Graduating with a master's degree in Education Administration.
Importance Criteria
Language and communication skills. Teachers of vocational and technical disciplines must be able to explain complicated concepts in simple terms.
Self-management ability. Career and technical educators must arrange their time and supplies efficiently.
Patience. Working with students of diverse abilities and backgrounds can be difficult. This promotes successful student learning.
Resourcefulness. To ensure that all students understand the topics being presented, teachers must provide a variety of approaches to impart information and perform tasks.
Pay
In May 2020, the average yearly salary for vocational and technical education teachers was $59,140. An occupation's median pay is the wage at which half of the workers make more than it and half make less. The lowest tenth earned less than $36,700, while the top tenth made more than $98,760 per year in wages and salaries.
Job Projection
Job growth for vocational and technical education instructors will be less than the average for all occupations between 2020 and 2030.