T2L: CTE
Turning Industry Experts Into Classroom Leaders
From Alt-Prep to Classroom Ready
Great technical instructors are the key to preparing students for a changing workforce. However, transitioning from a successful career in business or industry to a secondary or postsecondary career and technical education classroom requires a completely distinct skill set.
Teaching to Lead for CTE, our flagship T2L program, focuses heavily on this unique transition. Developed by SREB and the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education, this pathway supports new CTE teachers in navigating their first years in the classroom.
Preparing CTE Teachers for Today’s Students
Tailored for Technical Environments
While rooted in T2L’s four core pedagogical pillars—Planning, Engagement, Assessment and Culture—the CTE pathway dives deep into the operational and structural realities of career and technical education:
- Management of Shops and Laboratories: Establishing safety protocols, managing specialized equipment and organizing a functional, hands-on learning workspace.
- Working with CTSOs: Integrating Career and Technical Student Organizations (such as SkillsUSA, DECA or HOSA) directly into daily instructional design.
- Work-Based Learning Pathways: Coordinating internships, apprenticeships and live projects alongside industry partners.
- Working with Advisory Councils: Leveraging local industry committees to keep coursework relevant, funded and aligned with regional market needs.
- Integration of Academic Skills: Embedding essential literacy, mathematics and communication standards naturally into technical assignments.
Customizable Design and Delivery
T2L: CTE is delivered by seasoned trainers with real-world technical teaching and leadership experience. The flexible scope and sequence allows states, districts or schools to provide up to 200 hours of continuous training and professional development before, during and after a teacher’s critical first year:
- Pre-Service Summer Intensives: Intensive instruction prior to the first year of teaching, utilizing individual and team assignments, teach-backs and facilitated discussions.
- Just-in-Time Professional Development: Regular quarterly sessions designed to prepare teachers for the upcoming grading period.
- Professional Learning Communities: Structured opportunities to share operational challenges and collaborative solutions within a community of peers.
- On-Site Coaching & Mentoring: Targeted on-site coaching visits and support from experienced educators to refine instructional practices.
- Post-Year-One Reflection: Intensive reflection and instructional planning during the summer following the first year of teaching.
Flexible Implementation
T2L:CTE can be used to support new or veteran CTE teachers, or it can take the place of traditional teacher preparation programs to meet local alternative certification and licensure models. SREB works directly with state, district and school leaders to sustain the program after initial implementation and ensure long-term program growth.
Teaching to Lead Brochure
SREB’s Teaching to Lead teacher preparation program offers intensive professional development and coaching supports that build the capacity of teachers from business and industry to plan instruction, engage diverse students, manage classrooms, create standards-driven assessments, gain confidence and remain in the profession. Learn more in this brochure.
T2L in Syracuse City School District
Helping new teachers thrive, not just survive
As part of its investment in expanding career pathways, Syracuse City School District partnered with SREB to adopt Teaching to Lead, which builds new and early-career CTE teachers’ ability to plan instruction, adopt effective instructional strategies, manage their classrooms and design assessments.
