If you are like hundreds of individuals who have made the change form tradesman to teacher, you might have a few questions or concerns! There is a nobility in deciding to support adolescents in their educational journey through high school, and you have already decided that through learning a trade, students will be better prepared for their lives ahead.
Over the past decade, it has become increasingly evident that not only the trade skills are important, but developing transferable, life readiness skills like problem solving, effective communication skills, working with others, using technology appropriately, and developing quality focused work habits are as important if not more-so. Using the interest in the trade area, CTE Teachers can become highly effective at developing these skills along with developing important understandings of how academic knowledge is applied to their trade interest. Don't simply focus on helping students develop vocational skills, think more of being that mentor that helps them develop in all areas, and you will be well on your way to becoming the educator that most never had, or some lucky ones will try to emulate.
Teaching is not lecturing and testing, teaching is facilitating learning, something that is individualized for each student. Moving forward, understand that the most important thing to keep in mind to developing mentor-student relationships that are honest and consistently focused on student success. Once this first step is in place, the "art" of teaching will be more evident to you as you grow in your new career choice!
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