Education & Training
The Education and Training career cluster prepares learners for postsecondary credentials and careers as educators, administrators, trainers, counselors, and other related learning support services. This career cluster provides opportunities within three programs of study: Early Childhood Education Careers, Educational Therapy and Support, and Teaching as a Profession. Within all three programs of study that prepare students for postsecondary credentials and careers in Education and Training services, learners will study and demonstrate components of instruction, teaching strategies, types of assessment, student learning, special populations, educational technology, classroom management, lesson planning, professionalism, human development, and more. With an increased focus in the development of effective teachers, equity and equality, and the growing percentage of educator services needed in careers, the importance of “Grow Your Own” educators in school districts has become a vital discussion topic. The programs of study in the Education and Training career cluster can help districts fill the educator gaps.
Programs of Study
Early Childhood Education Careers is designed to prepare students for careers as an early childhood teacher. Course content covers the components of curriculum planning, student learning, screening and assessing, and many other skills related to teaching younger populations. Upon completion of this program of study, students will have had the opportunity to work alongside educators in an internship experience, compile artifacts for a professional portfolio, and graduate prepared for further training at the postsecondary level.
Course Standards
Educational Therapy and Support focuses on the skills and knowledge needed for occupations that support the everyday functioning of school environments, such as school counselors. In this program of study, students are exposed to all the critical components of effective teaching and learning at the K-12 level, as well as professional ethics, communication skills, school counseling models, and counseling approaches for a range of ages. Upon completion of this POS, students will have had the opportunity to work alongside educators in an internship experience, compile artifacts for a professional portfolio, and graduate prepared for further study in a variety of educational support fields.
Course Standards
Teaching as a Profession is designed for students interested in becoming an educator. In this program of study, course content covers the components of instruction, teaching strategies, types of assessments, student learning, special populations, educational technology, classroom management, lesson planning, professionalism, and more. Upon completion of this POS, students will have participated in an internship placement and built a professional portfolio in preparation for advanced training as future educators at the postsecondary level.
Course Standards
- Year 1: Introduction to Teaching as a Profession
- Year 2: Teaching as a Profession I
- Year 3: Teaching as a Profession II
- Year 4: Teaching as a Profession, Practicum -and/or- Foundational Literacy Practicum
- Year 4: Work-Based Learning: Career Practicum
- Lifespan Development (6013) is a supplemental course which can be offered in addition to courses within the Early Childhood Education Careers program of study but does not count toward concentrator status.