Teaching As A Profession (K-12)

This pathway 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.

National Career Cluster Alignment

The Teaching As A Profession (K-12) Pathway is a part of the Education & Training career cluster. The Education & Training Career Cluster includes teaching, educational training services, and related learning support occupations.

Pathway Courses

Level 1 Course: Teaching as a Profession I

Teaching as a Profession I (TAP I) is an intermediate course for students interested in learning more about becoming a teacher, school counselor, trainer, librarian, or speech-language pathologist. This course covers the components of instruction, teaching strategies, types of assessments, student learning, special populations, and educational technology. Students will conduct observations of educators at work and create artifacts for a course portfolio, which will continue with them throughout the program of study. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will have a fundamental understanding of instructional strategies needed for becoming an educator.

OSHA 10 General Industry. The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights.

Level 2 Course: Teaching as a Profession II

Teaching as a Profession II (TAP II) is an applied-knowledge course for students interested in learning more about becoming a teacher, school counselor, trainer, librarian, or speech-language pathologist. This course covers classroom management, concepts of higher order thinking, differentiating instruction, and strategies of effective classroom planning. Students in this course will demonstrate their skills in laboratory settings while building a course portfolio of work, which will carry with them throughout the program of study. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be prepared to take the capstone TAP III course and further their studies at the postsecondary level.

Aligned Industry Credential: Adult, Infant, and Child CPR/AED/First Aid. Earning the Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED certification and training equips students to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults, children and babies.

Level 3 Course: Teaching as a Profession (TAP) Practicum

Teaching as a Profession (TAP) Practicum is a capstone course in the Education and Training career cluster for students interested in applying the knowledge and skills learned in previous courses toward becoming a teacher, school counselor, trainer, librarian, or speech-language pathologist. The course covers classroom professionalism, ethics, policies, communications, and career requirements in education and training fields. In addition, students will complete an internship and continue to create artifacts for their student portfolios. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be prepared to pursue advanced training at a postsecondary institution.

Aligned Industry Credential: Education Fundamentals. The Education Fundamentals assessment and certification will address a skill set necessary to prepare individuals for employment in entry-level positions and to promote continuing education at the post-secondary level preparing for careers in education, training, and administration. The assessment has application in a broad range of education, community, and employer-based programs and settings.

Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway

Credit Type: Dual Credit

Institution: NSCC - Nashville State Community College

Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete a college assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the test, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.

Affiliated Career & Technical Student Organization: FCCLA

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a nonprofit national career and technical student organization for young men and women in Family and Consumer Sciences education in public and private school through grade 12. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader, members develop skills for life through: character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.

Antioch High School

Teaching and Service