Automotive Technology Teachers

High School

Your high school's college preparatory program likely includes courses in English, science, foreign language, history, math, and government. In addition, you should take courses in speech to get a sense of what it will be like to lecture to a group of students. Your school's debate team can also help you develop public speaking skills, along with research skills. You should take as many automotive technology classes as possible.

Postsecondary Training

If you want to teach at the high school level, you may choose to major in your subject area while taking required education courses, or you may major in secondary education with a concentration in automotive technology. You will also need to student-teach in an actual classroom environment.

For prospective professors, you will need at least one degree in your chosen field of study—automotive technology, engineering, design, or a related field. If you plan on teaching a hard science, such as automotive engineering, you will need at least a master's degree to work as a professor.

Certification

Many colleges and universities offer certificate programs in education, communication, automotive technology, and other areas that will be of interest to aspiring and current automotive technology teachers. Online, in-person, and hybrid programs are available. Programs typically last six months to a year.

Other Education or Training

The North American Council of Automotive Teachers offers approximately 140 educational sessions at its annual conference so that attendees may earn up to 20 hours of technical update training. The ASE Education Foundation offers an annual Instructor Training Conference for high school and college automotive, collision, and truck education instructors. Contact these organizations for more information.