Why teach CTE?
Career and Technical Education, or CTE, teachers are critical to help students gain the skills they need to succeed in fields like natural resources, agriculture, construction and health services. Here's why industry professionals choose to become CTE teachers:
- Make an impact: Help students discover future careers that lead directly to high-demand jobs and bright futures.
- Multiple pathways to licensure: There are flexible license options, even if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree.
- Strong demand: New Mexico schools are looking for passionate CTE teachers just like you!
- Great benefits: CTE teachers enjoy full benefits and retirement plans, plus competitive pay and benefits over the long term. Some schools also offer bonus pay for teaching in high-need areas—which includes many CTE fields.
What is a CTE license?
A CTE license lets you teach Career and Technical Education fields. In New Mexico, this license is called a Secondary Vocational Technical teaching license. If you have industry work experience in certain trades, careers or technical fields like construction, hospitality or health sciences, you can apply your skills and knowledge to teach grades 7-12.
You can earn a Secondary Vocational Technical teaching license while you teach in your own classroom. You’ll get on-the-job experience while sharing your industry-related knowledge with students. You’ll take classes outside of school hours and implement what you’ve learned right away.
Consider a CTE license if you:
- Are mid-career and you want to make a difference.
- Want to start teaching without attending a teaching program.
- Want to earn a salary right away.
CTE Teaching Fields for Future Teachers
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Construction
Teach students about: How to design, plan and build sustainable structures through architecture, engineering and hands-on trades like carpentry, welding and heavy equipment operation.
Perfect for you if: You have a background in different kinds of construction fields or trades, and you are interested in giving back to the community by way of leading the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
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Healthcare and Human Services
Teach students about: Supporting community well-being through medical care, mental health services, social work and personal care services like fitness and cosmetology.
Perfect for you if: You’re energized by the idea of leading a classroom of future healthcare workers or your experience in your field brings an inspiring perspective.
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Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Teach students about: Planning and managing scientific research, developing clean energy, conserving natural resources and maintaining utility systems that power our world.
Perfect for you if: You’re passionate about uplifting a generation of STEM learners and empowering students to drive scientific advancements for our planet.
STEM is a shortage area in New Mexico! This means there’s a big demand for teachers in these subjects. Many schools offer extra pay or signing bonuses for shortage area teachers!
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Explore more fields
New Mexico offers 14 unique career clusters to prepare students for a variety of pathways (up to 72!) in different careers.
The most popular fields for students are those that offer hands-on experience and are financially rewarding, such as construction and automotive. (1)
How to Become a CTE Teacher in New Mexico
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Make sure you qualify
Before you begin, confirm you’re eligible to teach a CTE subject in New Mexico. The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) offers a pathway to teaching that requires some work experience and professional teacher training. Here’s what you’ll need to get your license:
Educational and Work Experience
You can use educational credentials to substitute for field experience. Your credential needs to align with the field you wish to teach, too. So, if you have a:
- Bachelor’s Degree: You will need 32 credits of vocational training related to your specific trade or field. This means you got some hands-on experience while working on your degree.
- Associate Degree: You will need two years of work experience in your field.
- Professional license: You will need three years of work experience in your field.
- High School Diploma/GED: You will need five years of work experience in your field.
Completed teacher training
Alongside work experience or education, you also need to know how to teach a classroom of students. You can be approved with only the above experience, but you’ll have three years once you’re hired to complete your training. There’s a few options available for training:
- Take college classes
You can take 15 credits of education courses that focus on technical teaching skills. You will also need to complete a supervised student teaching experience or internship through a college or from within your school district.
- Build a Professional Development Plan (PDP)
Instead of college classes, your school can create a PDP, essentially a custom training plan, for you. Once the state approves the plan, you will complete training while working to meet your license requirements
Keep track of your progress and when you’re ready, submit your transcripts or PDP so you can keep making an impact for the long haul!
If you’ve spent time building skills on the job, there’s a good chance you qualify. Talking to an experienced educator in New Mexico may help clear any confusing details. Connect with a coach on the Teach New Mexico coaching page.
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Learn about license levels
New Mexico uses a leveled licensing system, and you’ll start on level 1 while you work toward permanent licensure. You will have 3 years to work on your teacher training requirements, and 2 years to advance to level 2. This comes to a total of 5 years before your license expires.
To advance to a level 2 and level 3 teaching license, you’ll need to gain years of experience and meet certain criteria, such as completing micro-credentials. You can make more money, too, with a level 2 or 3 teaching license! (2)
Don’t worry! You can teach under a level 1 license while you complete your teacher training.
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Apply for your Secondary Vocational Technical teaching license
Once you have gathered your transcripts and work experience needed:
- Create an account with the NMPED Online Licensure Portal.
- Submit your license application with official transcripts and verified work experience
- Pass a background/fingerprints check for Teacher Licensure
- Pay a $150 application fee
- This step makes it official. You’re licensed to teach in New Mexico!
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Apply for teaching jobs
To start teaching, you’ll need a job offer from a New Mexico school or district. Call your local school district and ask about opportunities for you!
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Start teaching
As you teach, you’ll continue completing your license requirements. You’re building experience and checking off everything needed for your level 1 license. You’ll have three years to complete your required training and coursework.
Teaching CTE in New Mexico is a powerful way to use your skills. Whether you’re helping students explore careers in STEM, healthcare, construction or cosmetology, you’re helping them shape their futures.
Ready to take the next step?
Talk to a Teach New Mexico coach and take your first step toward teaching CTE. With 1-on-1 and group advising, we’ve got flexible options to fit your life.
