NorthEast Washington ESD 101

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Our Career Changer page is designed for individuals considering a transition from their current career to education. Here is a one page flyer that represents the information on this site: Career Change Flyer

Teaching offers numerous tangible and intangible benefits, from professional development opportunities to job security. This career change can positively impact every aspect of your personal and professional life.

Every conversation with someone considering a career change to education begins with one key question: What do you want to teach? Most people are familiar with major core subjects like English, math, science, history, physical education, art, music, and elementary education. To teach these subjects, you would need to enroll in a teacher certification program focused on those areas. The (The teacher preparation program by PESB is an excellent resource for finding the right program.)

If you’re interested in bringing your skills and experiences from your current career into the classroom, a CTE (Career and Technical Education) Certification program, such as the one offered by the Online Professional Learning Academy (OPLA), might be the perfect fit. Our program is specifically designed for career changers, helping you earn certification in the subject you’ve been practicing professionally. Unlike traditional programs, OPLA doesn’t teach you content—you’re already the expert, with 6,000 hours of experience in your field. Instead, we focus on equipping you with the skills you need to excel as a teacher.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of becoming a teacher and how OPLA’s CTE Certification program can help you achieve your goals.

At its core, Career and Technical Education (CTE) is where industry meets education (see Venn Diagram). While many people associate trade schools and colleges with teaching the skills needed for today’s workforce, public education also plays a critical role in this preparation. Public schools not only prepare students for trade schools and colleges but, in many cases, for direct entry into the workforce.

High school and middle school CTE courses are designed to align with industry certifications and standards or provide pathways to college credit and courses. In every case, these programs play a significant role in shaping students' success and opportunities after high school.

CTE courses and curricula are directly tied to industry practices, making career changers with real-world experience invaluable in the classroom. These individuals bring diverse personal and professional backgrounds to teaching, offering students lessons and skills that only come from firsthand industry experience. Career Changers use their lived experiences to create dynamic, relevant curricula that truly engage students.

When diverse personal and industry experiences are brought into the classroom, students, schools, and curricula benefit immensely. These experiences make learning more meaningful, realistic, and hands-on, helping bridge the gap between academic concepts and applied skills.

For example, consider the auto mechanic field: Would students gain more from a teacher with a master’s degree or from someone with 20 years of hands-on experience as an auto mechanic? The practical knowledge and real-world skills gained from two decades in the industry provide insights and expertise that no textbook can replicate. This approach ensures students graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to step confidently into their chosen careers.

CTE courses directly reflect a person’s industry experience and can be tailored to cover content from a wide range of professions. From being an airplane pilot to welding, becoming a chef, or pursuing entrepreneurship—if there’s a career field, there can be a course to teach it.

Because CTE courses are less familiar and not as universally offered as core subjects, the full scope of CTE offerings in public schools is often underappreciated. CTE courses are categorized into 16 Career Clusters, representing all job sectors in the economy. Each cluster encompasses an extensive variety of job titles and corresponding course offerings.

For example, in the Technology cluster, some of the job titles and courses include Web Design, Video Game Design, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Network Infrastructure, Data Science, Computer Science, Mobile Application Development, and Network Administration. There are many more courses and content that also can be taught, but these are some examples.

You can explore OSPI’s website to see a comprehensive list of the course titles along with the Career Cluster they belong to. The specific content and skills covered in these courses are even more diverse and expansive.

There are many compelling reasons and benefits for career changers to become teachers.

As part of our curriculum, we include an assignment where industry professionals share their insights on why others should consider teaching as a career. Here are some of their top reasons:

• Experience high job satisfaction in a rewarding career.
• Help others grow and reach their full potential.
• Pass your knowledge and expertise on to future generations.
• Prepare tomorrow’s workforce with the essential skills you’ve mastered.
• Inspire future innovators with your expertise and passion.
• Make a meaningful impact on others’ lives.
• Contribute to your community in a significant way.
• Share your passion for your craft through teaching.
• Enjoy the ability to be creative in a dynamic, ever-changing environment.
• Benefit from a family-friendly schedule, especially for young families, with time off that aligns with your children’s school breaks. 

As you consider changing careers to become a teacher, here are some key benefits to keep in mind:

• Competitive Salary: Washington State offers one of the most competitive teacher salaries in the nation, ranking 4th highest in 2024. Teachers in the state earn an average of $86,000 per year. CTE Teachers can make even more and do it quicker, see below.
• Excellent Benefits: Teachers receive comprehensive benefits packages, including excellent health insurance options.
• Retirement and Pension Plans: Teachers qualify for a pension after 10 years of service and a full pension after 30 years. They also have access to pre-tax retirement accounts to further secure their financial future.
• Job Stability: Teaching is generally a stable and reliable career. While economic fluctuations and funding changes can occur, teachers with 10+ years of service typically experience job security.
• Professional Growth Opportunities: CTE teachers benefit from continuous professional development, staying up-to-date with industry trends and skills to provide relevant, real-world experience to their students.
• Generous Time Off: Teachers work 180 instructional days per year, leaving time for holiday and summer breaks. While some tasks may extend beyond the classroom, these breaks offer opportunities to recharge and focus on other priorities.

Features of our program designed to help you become a teacher:

• Affordable Cost: Complete your full certification for only $2,800.
• Flexible Scheduling: Fully asynchronous courses allow you to earn your certificate while continuing to work at your current job.
• Manageable Practicum Requirements: A 60-hour practicum lets you gain hands-on experience without needing to leave your current job.
• Extended Course Access: Enjoy 18 months of access to course materials, providing flexibility for any challenges or changes in your schedule.
• Fully Online: All coursework, aside from the practicum, can be completed online at your own pace—no required meetings, attendance, or events.
• No Degree Required: You don’t need a first or second college degree to participate—just complete the program to earn your teaching certificate.
• Higher Starting Pay: As a CTE-certified teacher, you can receive credit for the hours worked in your previous career—an advantage not available with a traditional core teaching certificate.

Overall, the OPLA program—and most CTE Plan 2 programs—are specifically designed to help Career Changers earn a teaching certificate and transition into teaching with ease.