Understanding vocational school teacher job descriptions

Thinking about teaching at a vocational school in the future. What's typically included in a vocational school teacher's job description? Are there any unique responsibilities compared to regular high school teachers?

Vocational school teachers, also known as career and technical education (CTE) teachers, have a set of responsibilities that, while similar in many ways to those of traditional high school teachers, also include some unique elements tied to the career-focused nature of their classes.

At the most basic level, vocational school teachers are responsible for instructing students in various technical and career-related subjects, such as auto repair, healthcare, and culinary arts, to name a few. However, the nature of these subjects often means that the teaching methods can be quite different.

Here are some of the key responsibilities that are typically included in a vocational school teacher's job description:

1. Lesson Planning and Instruction: Just like any teacher, vocational school teachers need to plan and execute lessons that match their area of expertise. However, given that these lessons are often tied to specific industry practices and skills, lesson planning can involve arranging hands-on demonstrations and real-world applications of the material.

2. Industry-Relevant Equipment and Safety Standards: A significant part of a vocational school teacher's job is to teach students how to use industry-standard equipment correctly and safely. In many cases, the teacher is responsible for maintaining the equipment used in their classroom.

3. Evaluation of Students: Vocational teachers assess students' comprehension not just through quizzes and tests, but also through hands-on demonstrations and practical exams.

4. Workplace Skills Training: In addition to technical training, vocational school teachers often work on helping students develop other workplace skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, time management, etc.

5. Career Guidance: Since the goal of vocational education is to prepare students for specific careers, teachers often provide guidance on employment opportunities, requirements for certifications or licensures, and the industry outlook for their field.

6. Connecting with Local Businesses: Many vocational teachers work to establish relationships with local businesses and industry leaders to facilitate internships, apprenticeships, and job placement opportunities for their students.

In sum, while there are many similarities between the roles of vocational and traditional high school teachers, those who teach at vocational schools tend to focus more on preparing students directly for the workforce, which can involve additional responsibilities related to field-specific skill training, safety standards, and career advice.