Family and consumer science teachers can train students in the culinary arts, child development or sewing, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. They also teach students about nutrition, dietetics and food science. Teachers might instruct students to run early childhood education classes under their supervision, create menus and cook for a school function or even manufacture and market clothing. Their ultimate responsibility is to prepare students for the adult world, which includes leading discussions about time management, money management, general household management and interpersonal relationships, according to DegreeDirectory.org. In addition, they create lesson plans, order teaching equipment or even serve as advisers to student organizations such as the Future Homemakers of America, according to StateUniversity.com.
Family and consumer science teachers must be able to motivate students and have good group speaking skills, time-management skills and organizational skills. In addition, they should be able to work with a diverse student body, measure student progress and instruct students through hands-on activities. These teachers also must be able to work well with colleagues and school administrators to meet education mandates and tackle discipline issues. Most important, family and consumer science teachers demonstrate a hands-on ability in completing home management and economic tasks. Community colleges, middle schools and high schools usually employ these types of teachers. These professionals usually work 10 months during an academic year and have summers off. They also can earn tenure and become unionized in most states.
Family and consumer science teachers usually need bachelor's degrees in this area. Bachelor's degree programs allow students to study every aspect of human daily life and how to improve the quality of life. Concentrations in these programs might include child development, interior design, apparel design, housing, consumer education, psychology, nutrition education and finances. The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences actually requires individuals to complete a two- or four-year degree to teach this subject. Aspiring family and consumer science teachers also usually complete a program of study in teacher preparation.
All career and technical education teachers, which include family and consumer science teachers, must be licensed to teach in public middle and secondary schools. A licensure advisory committee or a state board of education typically grants licenses to family and consumer sciences teachers. Almost all states require these teachers to have completed a bachelor's degree program, a supervised practical teaching experience and the completion of a competency test. Family and consumer science teachers also usually must complete continuing education requirements to renew their licenses. Many states also require public school teachers in this field to eventually obtain a master's degree in a related subject.
Employment of vocational education teachers such as family and consumer science teachers is projected to jump by 9 percent through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary of a high school family and consumer science teacher in 2010 was $38,199, according to Payscale.com