Keeping CTE Teachers in the Classroom with Jodi Adams, Director of the New Teacher Institute

A quick search on Google Scholar will show research is deep and wide when it comes to retaining teachers, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers are no different. In fact, retention of CTE teachers may have a more profound importance - high school teacher turnover impacts CTE programs due to the dependence on relational connections that motivate a student to continue taking CTE courses. While retention of CTE teachers is vital to the continued success of a pathway, CTE teachers often have options outside of teaching, making it easier for the teacher to transition out of the classroom. In fact, CTE teachers typically have high levels of skill in the career field in which they are teaching, which gives them the ability to transition back to business and industry at any point. Connections with business and industry through advisory committees ensure a continued relationship with the industry the teacher left, keeping the option open to leave at any time. Furthermore, the average occupation-based certified (OCB) teacher applying for certification in Kentucky has worked in their field an average of ten years or more, which often means he or she is taking a reduction in salary to transition into the classroom. In addition to the salary differential, OCB teachers begin teaching with very little, if any, pre-service training and are expected to meet and exceed educational expectations immediately, with responsibilities above and beyond most teachers, including advising students participating in Career and Technical Student Organization chapters, maintaining effective advisory committees, and recruiting of students into their pathways.  Until recently, regardless of prior education, OCB teachers were also required to complete a 64-hour planned program with one of five participating universities. This included courses in teaching CTE, as well as completing a rigorous internship program in their first year of teaching...  Continue reading here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12PhfP2bgLvYAgbRfeuf-xD-aUPkB5EFMjuhIaldWfm4/edit?usp=sharing Additional article: https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/features/2019/07/smoothing-an-alternative-pathway-for-cte-teachers/ Jodi Adams is the Director of the New Teacher Institute, the Kentucky Department of Education certification program for occupation-based career and technical education teachers, as well as a Clinical Instructor for the University of Louisville Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation, and Organizational Development. Prior to joining the university, Jodi served as Career Pathways Branch Manager in the Kentucky Department of Education Office of Career and Technical Education. Before moving to the state department of education, Jodi taught business in Jefferson County Public Schools, the largest school district in Kentucky, and started a nationally recognized business program at Eastern High School, where she was instrumental in developing dual credit opportunities and work-based learning experiences. Prior to secondary education, Jodi worked in postsecondary recruitment and admissions for adult education programs and taught as an adjunct instructor for a community college and two universities. Her experience owning and operating a large retail store, as well as working in customer service and marketing for a Fortune 100 company, have shaped her approach to education. Jodi Adam's Contact Info: Twitter: @jodicoffeeadams LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jodiadams Website: https://louisville.edu/education/degrees/cte-teacher-certification