Vocational Education Teachers, Secondary School Onet SOC Code 25-2032.00 Career Description: Teach or instruct vocational or occupational subjects at the secondary school level. Related Clusters: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Education and Training Human Services Programs of Study Vocational Education Teachers, Secondary School

Career Summary:

• Experience- A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
• Education- Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
• Job Training- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
• Examples- Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, human resource managers, computer programmers, teachers, chemists, and police detectives.

• Prepare materials and classroom for class activities.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
• Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
• Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students for whom they are responsible.
• Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
• Instruct and monitor students the in use and care of equipment and materials, in order to prevent injury and damage.
• Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
• Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments in order to evaluate students' progress.
• Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
• Assign and grade class work and homework.
• Instruct students in the knowledge and skills required in a specific occupation or occupational field, using a systematic plan of lectures, discussions, audiovisual presentations, and laboratory, shop and field studies.
• Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
• Use computers, audiovisual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
• Plan and supervise work-experience programs in businesses, industrial shops, and school laboratories.
• Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
• Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators in order to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
• Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
• Guide and counsel students with adjustment and/or academic problems, or special academic interests.
• Select, order, store, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Keep informed about trends in education and subject matter specialties.
• Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
• Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
• Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
• Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress, and to determine their priorities for their children and their resource needs.
• Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops in order to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Sponsor extracurricular activities such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
• Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of secondary school programs.
• Place students in jobs or make referrals to job placement services.
• Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
• Attend staff meetings, and serve on committees as required.
• Perform administrative duties such as assisting in school libraries, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
• Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms.

• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

• The minimum educational requirement for this occupation is a bachelor's degree in agricultural science or a related field. Public school teachers must be licensed in Tennessee. A professional teacher's license is issued to a teacher who has completed a minimum of three years experience in an approved school and who has received a positive local evaluation in a Tennessee public school system. The professional license is valid for ten years and is renewable by meeting state requirements. High school students who wish to become a vocational agriculture teacher should pursue college preparatory courses. For additional information, visit the Tennessee Office of Teacher Licensing online.

  Most college and university agricultural science teachers are categorized in four academic ranks -- professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or instructor. Four-year institutions generally only consider doctoral degree holders for full-time, tenure-track positions. In most two-year institutions, a master's degree will suffice.

• Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

• Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic - Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

• Authority - Workers on this job give directions and instructions to others.
• Social Service - Workers on this job have work where they do things for other people.
• Achievement - Workers on this job get a feeling of accomplishment.
• Achievement-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
• Responsibility - Workers on this job make decisions on their own.
• Ability Utilization - Workers on this job make use of their individual abilities.
• Independence-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
• Creativity - Workers on this job try out their own ideas.
• Activity - Workers on this job are busy all the time.
• Security - Workers on this job have steady employment.
• Working Conditions - Workers on this job have good working conditions.
• Autonomy - Workers on this job plan their work with little supervision.
• Relationships-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
• Company Policies and Practices - Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company.
• Social Status - Workers on this job are looked up to by others in their company and their community.
• Moral Values - Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Recognition-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
• Working Conditions-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
• Variety - Workers on this job have something different to do every day.
• Co-workers - Workers on this job have co-workers who are easy to get along with.
• Supervision, Human Relations - Workers on this job have supervisors who back up their workers with management.
• Support-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Wage and salary data provided by:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
• TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
• Bureau of Economic Analysis website