CTE Secondary Teaching Outlook

Instruct and train students to work in a wide variety of fields, such as automotive technology, welding, and woodworking. They often teach
courses that are in high demand by area employers, who may provide input into building and overseeing these partnerships.

Including school duties performed outside the classroom, many teachers work more than 40 hours per week. Most teachers work the traditional 10-month school year with a 2-month vacation during the summer.

CTE teachers plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate. Other tasks may include but are not limited to the following:

Instruct and monitor students' use and care of equipment and materials, in order to prevent injury and damage.	Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops in order to maintain and improve professional competence.
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.	Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students for whom they are responsible.	Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress, and to determine their priorities for their children and their resource needs.
Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.	Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.	Keep informed about trends in education and subject matter specialties.
Prepare materials and classroom for class activities.	Prepare objectives and outlines or requirements of states and schools.
Perform administrative duties such as assisting in school libraries, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.	Use computers, audiovisual aides, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
Attend staff meetings, and serve on committees as required.	Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units & projects, & communicate those objectives to students.
Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.	Assign and grade class work and homework.
Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of secondary school programs.	Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
Sponsor extracurricular activities such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.	Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments in order to evaluate students' progress.

In addition to being knowledgeable about the subjects they teach, teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand the students' educational needs. Teachers must be able to recognize and respond to individual and cultural differences in students and employ different teaching methods that will result in higher student achievement. They should be organized, dependable, patient, and creative. Teachers must also be able to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with other teachers, support staff, parents, and members of the community.

The traditional route to becoming a public school teacher involves completing a Bachelor Degree from a teacher education program and obtaining a credential. Nevertheless, in the state of California there are two very distinct California Teaching Credentials for the secondary level, each leading to employment at different educational institutions - Unified School District or Regional Occupational Program/Center {ROP/ROC}. The credentials are the Career Technical Education Designated Subjects Credential and the Single Subject Credential in Industrial and Technology Education.

In 2007, the California average annual wage was $37,952 for entry level teachers and $69,471 for experienced teachers. {Note: The averages may be lower or higher based on the school district or regional occupation center.}

During 2006, there were approximately 6,200 people employed in this field in California. It is estimated that in 2016 there will be 7,500 employed in California. This represents an increase of 130 new positions each year. Additionally, 170 jobs per year will become available due to employee turnover.

Information was taken from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Website at http://www.bls.gov and the California Career Zone Website at http://www.cacareerzone.com.

Career Technical Education - Teaching Outlook