Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School

Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.

Median wage

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Projected growth

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Annual openings

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per year

Employed (US)

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Job Zone 4

Typical preparation

Considerable preparation

Stackable credential programs

141 mapped

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Core skills

SpeakingActive ListeningLearning StrategiesInstructingReading ComprehensionMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCritical Thinking

Knowledge areas

English LanguageEducation and TrainingPsychologyComputers and ElectronicsAdministrative

Technology & tools

Data base management system softwareData base user interface and query softwareStorage networking softwareCloud-based management softwareExpert system software

Representative tasks

Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discPrepare materials and classrooms for class activities.Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.

Competency framework

Skill expectations by proficiency level.

emerging

Instructional delivery — apply lecture and demonstration methods under supervisor guidance in a middle school career/technical classroom.Classroom materials — prepare and organize supplies and equipment for scheduled class activities following department protocols.Lesson objectives — communicate clearly defined learning goals to students at the start of each lesson under mentor direction.Classroom behavior rules — implement established conduct procedures to maintain an orderly learning environment with cooperating teacher support.Student records — enter attendance and basic performance data into the school database system in compliance with district recordkeeping policies.Equipment safety — instruct students in proper handling and care of tools and materials under direct supervision to minimize injury risk.Active listening — attend carefully to individual student questions and concerns during classroom interactions to inform immediate instructional responses.Technology tools — use cloud-based classroom management software to organize assignments and post resources with guidance from an instructional coach.Foundational psychology knowledge — apply basic understanding of adolescent development to anticipate middle school students' motivational needs in daily instruction.Written communication — draft straightforward lesson plans and activity sheets using clear language appropriate for middle school career/technical content.

developing

Differentiated instruction — adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to address the varying skill levels and interests of diverse middle school learners.Discussion facilitation — lead structured group discussions that encourage student participation and reinforce career/technical concepts with reduced supervisory oversight.Classroom environment — independently set up and maintain a safe, organized lab or classroom space ready for hands-on career/technical activities each day.Behavioral management — enforce and refine classroom rules and procedures consistently across multiple class periods to sustain a productive learning environment.Academic preparation — design lesson sequences that expose students to industry pathways and encourage perseverance through progressively challenging technical tasks.Record maintenance — maintain complete and accurate student progress records, grade reports, and safety compliance logs in accordance with applicable regulations.Instructional monitoring — observe student performance during activities and adjust pacing or support strategies to keep the class on track with learning objectives.Database software — use student information system query tools to retrieve performance data and generate progress reports for parent–teacher communications.Critical thinking application — analyze common student misconceptions in career/technical subject matter and select targeted instructional strategies to address them.Social perceptiveness — recognize shifts in individual student engagement or emotional state and adjust interpersonal approach to maintain a supportive classroom climate.

proficient

Multi-modal instruction — independently design and deliver lectures, demonstrations, and project-based experiences that meet diverse learner needs across a full career/technical curriculum.Curriculum alignment — develop unit plans with clear, standards-aligned objectives and communicate those objectives to students in language that connects learning to real-world career contexts.Adaptive differentiation — autonomously modify instructional materials and pacing for students with varying readiness levels, including English learners and students with IEPs, in a middle school setting.Complex problem solving — diagnose systemic instructional challenges within a career/technical program and implement evidence-based solutions without waiting for administrative direction.Safety and equipment stewardship — independently design and enforce equipment-use protocols that prevent injuries and minimize material damage across laboratory and workshop environments.Learning strategies — select and model metacognitive and career exploration strategies that prepare students to pursue advanced technical coursework and lifelong learning.Systems analysis — evaluate the alignment between career/technical program content, industry standards, and student post-secondary readiness to identify curriculum gaps.Technology integration — leverage development environment and web platform tools to create interactive learning resources that extend technical instruction beyond the classroom.Data-informed instruction — use database management and reporting tools to analyze cohort performance trends and adjust instructional sequences to improve student outcomes.Professional writing — author detailed curriculum guides, safety manuals, and program reports that communicate complex technical and pedagogical information clearly to multiple stakeholders.

advanced

Instructional leadership — lead department-wide adoption of innovative teaching methodologies that elevate career/technical education outcomes across multiple middle school grade levels.Curriculum architecture — design and champion a vertically articulated career/technical curriculum framework that aligns with district goals, industry certifications, and secondary transition pathways.Mentorship and coaching — guide emerging and developing career/technical teachers in refining instructional practice, classroom management, and professional identity through structured observation and feedback cycles.Organizational policy influence — collaborate with district administrators and school boards to shape policies governing career/technical program standards, safety regulations, and resource allocation.Strategic program evaluation — lead systemic review of career/technical program effectiveness using performance data, employer feedback, and student outcome metrics to drive continuous improvement.Community and industry partnerships — establish and sustain formal relationships with regional employers, community colleges, and workforce agencies to enrich middle school career exploration experiences.Equity-centered systems design — architect inclusive program structures that eliminate access barriers and ensure all student populations achieve equitable representation in career/technical pathways.Enterprise technology leadership — direct the adoption and integration of enterprise application and cloud-based management platforms that improve program data quality and administrative efficiency across the department.Professional learning community facilitation — design and lead job-embedded professional development experiences that build instructional capacity among career/technical educators across the school or district.Judgment and organizational decision-making — exercise senior-level judgment on complex resource, staffing, and curriculum decisions that shape the long-term direction of the career/technical education program.

Also known as

37 alternate job titles map to this occupation.

Computer Technology TeacherMiddle School Vocational Education TeacherCulinary Technical Education TeacherMiddle School Technical Education TeacherIndustrial Arts TeacherTechnology Education Teacher (Tech Ed Teacher)Technical Industrial TeacherHome Economics TeacherTechnology TeacherIndustrial Technology TeacherCareer Education TeacherTechnical Education TeacherFamily and Consumer Sciences Teacher (FACS Teacher)Career Technical Education InstructorCareer and Technology Education Teacher (CTE Teacher)TeacherComputer Science TeacherMiddle School TeacherTechnical Education SpecialistComputer TeacherMiddle School Technology Education Teacher (Middle School Tech Ed Teacher)Junior High School Business TeacherComputer Discovery TeacherAutomotive Education TeacherSchool Vocational EducatorTechnical Business TeacherBusiness Education TeacherTeacher, Industrial ArtsBusiness TeacherCarpentry TeacherCareer Discovery TeacherAgriscience Technology Instructor (Agriculture Science Technology Instructor)Vocational TeacherSecondary School Technical Education TeacherVocational TrainerMiddle School Family and Consumer Science Teacher (Middle School FACS Teacher)Technology Lab Teacher

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