Lesson Introduction
Overview of the Education and Training Career Cluster
Some educators have careers in Pre-K and early childhood development. Many work in K-12 classrooms where there is always a need for highly skilled, dedicated teachers. At the university-level, teaching jobs are as diverse as the number of subjects taught. In the corporate world, there are educator positions for trainers who teach employees or customers business skills. There are also careers in this cluster that focus on other aspects of education, such as educational counseling and educational administration.
Career Pathways
Education and Training Career Cluster has three career pathways:
- Administration and Administrative Support
- Professional Support Services
- Teaching/Training
Teacher Resources
To help students learn more about careers in education and training, download and distribute the Education and Training College and Career Planning Guide. The guide makes an excellent critical reading assignment for students enrolled in an Education and Training practicum course.
WBL Experiences
Practicum students work under the direction and supervision of teachers with knowledge of early childhood education and exemplary educators in direct instructional roles with students in elementary, middle, and high school. Students learn to
- plan and direct individualized instruction and group activities;
- prepare instructional materials;
- assist with record keeping;
- make physical arrangements; and
- complete other responsibilities of classroom teachers, trainers, paraprofessionals, or other educational personnel.
If you haven’t already done so, take a moment to bookmark the TEKS for Education and Training.
Course Prerequisites
- Principles of Education and Training
- Human Growth and Development
- Instructional Practices in Education and Training
Legal and Safety Considerations
- Training sponsors provide job-specific safety training.
- Teacher-coordinators are responsible for providing general safety instruction to all students enrolled in the course and for ensuring that all training occurs according to schedule.
- Teachers may assign students to research and report on specific safety and legal considerations for their job or industry.
Pre-Employment Requirements
Educators and lawmakers take the protection of children seriously. Consequently, the key issues in this cluster is the protection of young children with whom the practicum students may come into contact. As a result, students enrolled in an education practicum have many pre-employment requirements.
The most common pre-employment requirements are
- background checks;
- fingerprinting;
- CPR/first aid certification;
- age restrictions;
- tests for TB and other communicable diseases; and
- child protection training.
Curriculum Resources
Take a moment to bookmark the Texas CTE Resource Center website. Later, be sure to explore curriculum guidelines and instructional resources for the Education and Training Career Cluster.
CTSOs
Take a few moments to bookmark the CTSO websites below to explore later.
Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE)
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)