Middle School CTE/Career Exploration Teacher

Job Title: Middle School Career and Technical Education (CTE) / Career Exploration Teacher
Reports To: Building Principal and/or Director of Career and Technical Education
Contract Length: 190 Days (or district contract length)
FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

The Middle School CTE/Career Exploration Teacher provides students in grades 6–8 with engaging opportunities to explore careers, develop employability skills, and build awareness of Career and Technical Education pathways. The teacher designs and delivers hands-on, project-based learning experiences that connect academic content to real-world careers and workforce demands while helping students develop a personal plan for future educational and career success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Instruction and Student Learning

• Develop and deliver standards-aligned career exploration curriculum for middle school students.
• Introduce students to a wide variety of career clusters, occupations, and postsecondary opportunities.
• Utilize project-based learning, career simulations, hands-on activities, and technology integration to engage students.
• Teach employability skills including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, professionalism, and digital citizenship.
• Assist students in identifying personal interests, strengths, aptitudes, and career goals.
• Support students in developing Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAPs) or other state-required career planning documents.
• Integrate career awareness activities across academic disciplines when appropriate.

Program Development

• Promote awareness of district CTE pathways and programs of study.
• Coordinate career-focused events such as career fairs, guest speakers, industry tours, and job-shadowing opportunities.
• Build partnerships with local businesses, industries, community organizations, and postsecondary institutions.
• Maintain current knowledge of workforce trends, high-demand occupations, and regional labor market needs.
• Collaborate with high school CTE instructors to create alignment between middle school exploration and secondary pathways.

Student Support

• Encourage students to explore a variety of career interests without limiting future opportunities.
• Support students in setting educational and career goals.
• Foster positive student engagement, responsibility, and workplace readiness behaviors.
• Maintain accurate student records and documentation related to career exploration activities.

Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in professional learning related to career education, workforce development, and instructional best practices.
• Collaborate with counselors, administrators, teachers, and community partners to support student success.
• Comply with district policies, state regulations, and CTE program requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the principal or district administration.

Qualifications

Required

• Valid Arkansas teaching license (or ability to obtain appropriate licensure).
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with middle school students.
• Strong communication, organizational, and technology skills.

Preferred

• Experience in Career and Technical Education, workforce development, counseling, or career readiness programs.
• Knowledge of Career Clusters, Programs of Study, and state CTE requirements.
• Experience developing business and community partnerships.
• Familiarity with project-based learning and career assessment tools.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of career development concepts and workforce readiness skills.
• Ability to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with students, staff, families, and community partners.
• Ability to analyze student interests and assist with educational and career planning.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills.
• Proficiency with instructional technology and career exploration platforms.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform duties associated with classroom instruction.
• Ability to supervise students in classroom, community, and career exploration settings.
• Ability to travel locally for career-related activities and partnerships when required.

Evaluation

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with district policy and the district's teacher evaluation system.