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Teaching and Early Childhood Education

NJ county vocational-technical schools help high school students determine early on if they have a passion for teaching.

Many county vocational-technical schools offer programs in early childhood education that enable students to prepare for careers in education and earn industry certifications. Some even operate state-licensed preschool programs that give high school students opportunities to put their learning into practice with young children.

Hunterdon County Vocational School District offers a two-year program where students learn in an onsite laboratory preschool and then through internships in local K-12 school districts. Students also can earn college credits through Raritan Valley Community College. Union County Vocational-Technical School District offers a Teacher Academy, where students earn college credits from Kean University.

Why Education?

  • A career you can take pride in; you will make a difference in students’ lives and can join New Jersey’s #1 nationally ranked public schools
  • New Jersey has prioritized expanding free preschools across the state to provide high quality education to underserved populations
  • Early childhood/elementary education accounted for more than 1.9 million jobs in 2020
  • Preschool employment projected to grow by 18% between 2020-2030
  • Kindergarten/elementary school employment projected to grow 7% between 2020-2030
A Passaic County early childhood education student reads to a preschool class.
A Hunterdon County high school student performs a science experiment with a preschool student at the on-campus laboratory school, KinderMagic.
Hunterdon County high school students decorate for Thanksgiving at the on-campus laboratory preschool.

Career pathways in this area include:

College professor

Teacher

School administrator

Early childhood specialist

Training professional

For Students And Parents:

To see what teaching and early childhood education programs your county vocational-technical school offers, find your school.

For Adult Students:

To find childcare and early education programs at county vocational-technical schools near you, use the “Find Adult Career Programs” tool.

For More Information About Careers In Teaching and Early Childhood Education:

Teaching and Early Childhood Education News