Leslie Blanchette is a teacher and Chair of the Animal Science Department at Bristol County Agricultural High School, located in the state of Massachusetts. Ms. Blanchette shares her path to becoming a vocational education high school teacher and discusses licensure requirements for the profession. We also discuss the rewards of teaching at the high school level, what sets vocational schools apart from more traditional high schools and the challenges a new or experienced teacher may face in this career.

Topics discussed in this episode

0:00- Leslie Blanchette shares her journey to becoming an animal science high school teacher

5:08- Steps to pursuing a teaching career in vocational/agricultural education

10:34- Teaching licensure requirements

19:03- Teaching salary expectations and teacher contracts

21:14- Ms. Blanchette shares how she developed a passion for teaching

22:53- The challenges and rewards of teaching

26:23 – The student experience at Bristol County Agricultural High School

37:11- Information for prospective students

Resources mentioned in this episode

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

https://www.doe.mass.edu/

Vocational and Technical Education Licensure Requirements (Massachusetts)

https://www.doe.mass.edu/licensure/voctech/

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)

https://www.mtel.nesinc.com/

Overview of the Tests

http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/MA_SG_about_91.asp

Vocational Technical Literacy Skills test

http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/MA091_TestPage.html

Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators

https://www.mava.us/

Bristol County Agricultural High School (Bristol Aggie)

https://bristolaggie.org/

National FFA

https://www.ffa.org/