School districts across the country are looking for sustainable ways to address teacher shortages and build strong, local pipelines of future educators. One of the most effective—and often underrecognized—strategies starts earlier than many realize: high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs focused on Education & Training pathways. 

These programs give students early exposure to teaching as a profession, helping them understand what life in the classroom really looks like before they ever step into a college preparation program. 

Why CTE Programs Matter for Aspiring Educators 

Education-focused CTE programs introduce students to teaching through coursework, observation, and hands-on experiences with younger learners. Instead of learning about education in the abstract, students begin to see themselves in the role of an educator. 

That early exposure can be transformative. As one current 5th-grade teacher shared about her own experience in a high school CTE program: 

Where Practice Makes the Difference 

While CTE programs do an excellent job introducing students to the profession, many districts are looking for ways to give students more structured opportunities to practice core teaching skills before graduation. 

Teaching is a practice-based profession, and early, guided practice helps students better understand the demands of the classroom, build confidence, and persist on the path to becoming an educator. 

Supporting CTE Programs with HLP Modules 

To support high school CTE programs, ETS Praxis developed the High Leverage Teaching Practice (HLP) Modules—designed to give future educators meaningful practice with essential teaching skills. 

Our newly launched HLP Modules help translate interest in teaching into hands-on experience by allowing students to practice foundational instructional skills in realistic classroom scenarios. The modules are self-paced, easy to implement, and align naturally with Education & Training CTE coursework. 

By incorporating HLP Modules, CTE programs can give students a clearer picture of what teaching requires—while helping them build confidence and readiness for what comes next. 

Investing Earlier in the Educator Pipeline  

When districts invest in high school CTE programs and support them with intentional, practice-based learning, they aren’t just preparing students for college—they’re strengthening the long-term educator workforce. 

CTE programs help districts grow their own future teachers, starting with exposure, reinforcing interest through practice, and creating a clearer pathway into postsecondary preparation and the classroom. 

If you’re interested in exploring High Leverage Teaching Practice Modules for your high school CTE program or current paraprofessionals, schedule time with our team to learn more.