Being a teacher doesn’t always mean working in a classroom… career and technical education teachers can also instruct students in workshops, fields and kitchens. Career and technical education teachers teach students practical subjects to prepare them for a future career in fields such as auto repair, agriculture, healthcare fields, or culinary arts. Like all teachers, career and technical education teachers develop lesson plans and assignments, grade student work, enforce classroom rules, and discuss student progress with students and parents. These teachers focus especially on hands-on skills. They provide academic instruction as well as developing activities for students to practice actual work tasks. Students might replace brakes on cars, take blood pressure, or write a simple computer program. Teachers typically oversee these tasks in school workshops and laboratories, where safety is an important consideration. Some develop relationships with local organizations to create work experiences for advanced students. Most career and technical teachers work typical school hours in public middle- or high schools, following the traditional 10-month school year with a 2-month break during the summer. They may attend meetings before and after classes. Career and technical education teachers must have a bachelor’s degree and work experience in the field they teach. Public school teachers generally need a state certification or license.
What they do:
Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the secondary school level.
On the job, you would:
Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
Business
customer service
administrative services
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Arts and Humanities
English language
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
reading work related information
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Social
teaching people how to do something
changing what is done based on other people's actions
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
group things in different ways
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
do two or more things at the same time
Memory
remember words, numbers, pictures, or steps
People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.
They do well at jobs that need:
Dependability
Integrity
Attention to Detail
Adaptability/Flexibility
Concern for Others
Leadership
You might use software like this on the job:
Word processing software
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
Computer based training software
Learning management system LMS
Padlet
Electronic mail software
Email software
Microsoft Outlook
bachelor's degree or certificate after high school usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.