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Career Technical Education

Every child, every chance, every day.

Teaching Professions

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Teaching Professions

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Program Description
The Teaching Professions’ program is designed for students who are interested in a teaching, school administration, or guidance counseling career. This career pathway will help students learn more about future career options, while their field experience and coursework provide a solid foundation for a successful teaching career. Students will develop a professional portfolio that will summarize their field and classroom experiences. Due to the high percentage of teachers approaching retirement age in the next 5 years, it is estimated that more than 2.5 million teachers will be needed in the U.S. and about 57,000 K-12 openings in Ohio.

Digital Program Notebook
View the Program Notebook
Program Requirements
GRADE LEVEL: 10,11,12

SCHOOL: Kent

PROGRAM LENGTH: Two years

CREDIT AT KENT:

Level I: Adv/Honors English (1cr); Teaching Prof. IA-Foundations of Education (1cr); Teaching Prof. IB Classroom Management (1cr)

Level II: Adv/Honors English (1cr); Teaching Prof. IIA-Educational Principles (1cr); Teaching Prof. IIB Education & Training Capstone (1cr)

Virtual Tour

Program Overview

Skills Necessary for Success

  • Good communication skills
  • Patience and ability to handle stress
  • Ability to work with children and adults
  • Love of learning and enthusiasm for teaching
  • Organizational and managements kills

Higher Educational Opportunities

  • College credits available at any state university in Ohio
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Master’s degree

Recommendations

  • Excellent attendance record
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA
  • Honors or Advanced English

Professional Pathway

  • High school teacher
  • Middle school teacher
  • Elementary school teacher
  • Special education teacher
  • Sports instructor and coach
  • School counselor
  • Principals/school administrator
  • Media specialist

Helpful Background

  • Interest in working with people
  • Volunteer teaching and coaching experiences

Meet the Instructors

Email Rhonda Butler
Rhonda Butler  received a B.A. in Comprehensive Business Education from the University of Akron as well as a Masters of Education from Kent State University. Currently, she is the instructor for the Teaching Professions program serving students in the Six District Educational Compact. A strong advocate of hands-on and inquiry-based learning, she involves her students in a variety of problem-solving and technology-infused activities that provide them with opportunities to use their skills to both learn and teach others. Her professional interests focus on what's new and upcoming in the teaching arena, implementing the most current teaching philosophies and strategies into her instruction. In addition to teaching the program, she is the co-coordinator for the Resident Educator Program with Kent City Schools, a mentoring program for all new teachers in the district.

Stories & Projects from Teaching Professions

Teaching Professions Recruiting Flyer
December 13, 2017
An infographic promoting a teaching program, featuring illustrations of teachers.
Link to Teaching Professions Recruiting Flyer

Teaching Profession's Students Interviewed
December 04, 2017
People sit at desks in a classroom setting, engaged in a meeting or training.

Students in the Teaching Professions' program participated in interviews with professionals using their skills gained in interview techniques, communication skills, and professionalism. Students spent time preparing for the mock interviews by participating in a "Dress for Success" day as well as researching, answering and practicing the most commonly asked interview questions.  

During the mock interviews, students were matched with administrators, guidance counselors,  and teachers and were challenged to provide answers to questions and solutions to real-life problem scenarios.  The morning proved to be a powerful real-world application where all students gained knowledge and experience.  Miranda, a junior in the Teaching Professions' program said, "I thought the experience was very eye-opening.  I am sure that I will use the information and the skills I gained from this experience in my future interviews."

Teaching Professions Day at the Zoo Lesson
November 29, 2017
A group of people pose for a photo under a wooden structure.

The challenge of planning engaging lessons was the purpose of the senior level Teaching Professions students taking a trip to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Not only did they get a behind the scenes tour of the zoo and its animals' habitats, but they also heard about using their teaching degree with various positions at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.  

Students planned from the Ohio standards for various grade level lessons incorporating the use of technology, real-life pictures and video and valuable information gained from the professionals at the zoo. The design of the lesson was perfect for building background knowledge about science, animals, and habitats to help students find success and fun in their learning. The behind-the-scenes tour was part of the zoo's Career Day, showcasing various positions around the zoo.  The tours were hosted by zoo employees and offered insight into what a day's work entails in multiple careers at the zoo.