Health and Human Services Education Career Pathway
Does your student enjoy working with kids? Are they passionate about educating the next generation and making a difference? Are they a “people person?” Then a career in education may be a great fit!
Get certified. Get Connected.
At Stride Career Prep,* we give students a solid foundation in childhood development and education. We prepare students to earn the credentials necessary to embark on a career in childcare right after graduation—without the hassle or expense of additional training or degrees. The tuition-free program includes exam prep for the NOCTI Early Childhood Education and Care certification exam, a highly regarded industry credential.
We encourage students to jumpstart the job search by helping them create a professional résumé, cover letter, and profile on Tallo, the leading professional networking platform for Gen Z. Plus, they connect virtually to working education professionals through Nepris.**
Our Education and Training Curriculum in Detail
All our students take the core courses required for high school graduation in their state. The chart below shows the additional classes that Education and Training pathway students take, and the industry-recognized certification exams they can prepare to take.† You can see the rest of the curriculum by viewing the full course list.
Find a school near you that offers education and training.
Stride Career Prep programs with the Education and Training pathway are available at tuition-free Stride K12-powered, public online schools in the following states:
Don’t see your state? Check out the tuition-based option here in Education and Training.
Occupational Spotlight
Childcare Center Director
Childcare center directors oversee all aspects of a childcare center, including hiring, training, and supervising staff; choosing a curriculum; managing enrollment; managing the center’s finances; and ensuring the center meets all legal and regulatory requirements.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$34,743
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
700
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
1% (slower than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s degree
Childcare Worker
Childcare workers care for children while their parents are at work. Duties may include playing with and reading to children, leading group activities and games, teaching children social skills and basic literacy and numeracy skills (e.g., the alphabet and counting), preparing simple meals, feeding children, and assisting children with personal hygiene activities. Most childcare workers are in daycares, but some may work as private nannies or in after-school care settings.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$31,696
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
19,500
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
2% (slower than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED
Elementary School Teacher
Elementary school teachers instruct children in kindergarten through fifth grade in a wide variety of subjects, including math, reading, science, and social studies.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$46,483
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
56,100
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
4% (average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s degree
Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers teach children with special needs, which could include autism, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or other intellectual or physical disabilities or developmental delays. Special education teachers must be patient and encouraging and able to adapt their teaching style to each individual child’s challenges.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$46,553
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
14,300
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
3% (average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s degree
Teacher Assistant
Teacher assistants work with a licensed teacher to give students additional attention and instruction.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$32,448
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
50,500
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
4% (average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
While most postings only require an associate’s degree, most teachers assistants have bachelor’s degrees
FAQs
Do you need a college degree to become a teacher or childcare professional?
Childcare workers typically do not need a degree. However, all teachers in school settings will require at least a bachelor’s degree, and teachers in public schools will also need to be certified by the state in which they are teaching.
How can you prepare for a career in teaching or childcare?
In high school, take classes in early childhood development and education and get experience working as a tutor, nanny, summer camp counselor, volunteer or paid aide at an afterschool program. Talk to professionals in the different fields you are considering, and if possible, try shadowing them for a day. For example, for those considering a career in special education, they should see if they can sit in on a special education class for a day.
After choosing a path to pursue, you should look into education requirements and other experience you need. You can also investigate special programs such as Teach for America.
If you want to be a teacher, what classes should you take in high school?
Classes in child psychology, child development, and childhood education are useful. That’s why we offer the following classes for aspiring teachers and childcare workers: Introduction to Teaching, Psychology, Understanding Child Development, and Early Childhood Education.
Learn more about course offerings in the other Stride Career Prep career fields.
Hear how Stride Career Prep can work for your teen.
Think this might be a good fit for your student? Want to learn more about the program from current participants? Email your questions and hear what Stride Career Prep students have to say.
1Burning Glass Labor Insights, accessed October 16, 2020. Data is median salary for job postings with that job title, with typical minimum education requirements for that job title (as shown in chart on this page) and 0-2 years of experience, from October 1, 2019, to September 20, 2020.
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Website last modified date: Wednesday, September 1, 2020.
*Stride Career Prep is a program for grades 9–12. At some schools, career exploration is offered in middle school.
**Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.
†Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing
