Career Maps

The maps below highlight common job opportunities in education. Hover over a job you’re interested to read about it. Or, scroll down to read about all the jobs you can find in education!

Careers in Schools

Careers in Early Childhood Education

Careers in School District Administration

Classroom Teachers

Classroom Teachers work with students in classrooms at elementary, middle, and high schools. Every day, they plan lessons and teach subjects like math, reading, science, and social studies. Teachers help students learn by explaining new ideas, giving assignments, and checking how well students understand the material. They also help students behave well in class and create a safe, friendly place to learn. Teachers grade homework and tests, talk to parents about how their children are doing, and work with other teachers and school staff. They also go to meetings, learn new ways to teach, and sometimes help with after-school activities or give extra help to students who need it.

Classroom teachers can include these jobs and more:

  • Elementary Teacher (Kindergarten-5th grade)

  • Middle School Teacher (6th–8th grades)

  • High School Teacher (9th–12th grades)

  • Special Education Teacher

  • English Language Learner (ELL) Teacher

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher

  • Substitute Teacher

Education Specialists

Educational Specialists work in schools to help students with special needs and learning challenges. You might find them in special classrooms, the counselor's office, the library, or moving between different classrooms to help students. These specialists include school counselors who help students with problems and planning for the future, speech therapists who help students talk and communicate better, school psychologists who help with learning and behavior issues, and reading specialists who work with students who need extra help with reading. Every day, they meet with individual students or small groups, test students to see what kind of help they need, talk to teachers and parents about student progress, and create special plans to help students succeed in school.

These are some of the educational specialists you might find in a school:

  • School Counselor

  • Speech Language Pathologist

  • School Psychologist

  • Social Worker

  • School Nurse (Registered)

  • Librarian/Media Specialist

  • Reading or Math Specialist

Leadership & Administration

Leadership & Administration includes the people who run the school and make important decisions. The principal works in the main office and is in charge of the whole school, making sure everything runs smoothly and safely. Assistant principals also work from the office and help the principal by handling student discipline, visiting classrooms, and solving problems. Department heads are teachers who also lead other teachers in subjects like math or English. Every day, these leaders meet with teachers and parents, make schedules, watch over the school to keep it safe, handle student behavior issues, and work on plans to help all students learn better. They also hire new teachers, manage the school budget, and make sure the school follows important rules and laws.

These are some of the roles in leadership and administration:

  • Principal

  • Assistant Principal

  • Department Head/Lead Teacher

  • Dean of Students

  • Athletic Director

Instructional Support

Instructional Support staff work directly with teachers and students to help learning happen in classrooms and around the school. Paraeducators and instructional assistants work in classrooms helping teachers by working with small groups of students, giving one-on-one help to students who need extra support, and helping with special education students. You'll also find library assistants helping students check out books and use computers, computer lab assistants helping with technology, and playground supervisors keeping students safe during recess. Every day, these support staff help prepare classroom materials, assist students with their work, supervise students in hallways and cafeterias, and make sure students follow school rules. They work closely with teachers to make sure every student gets the help they need to succeed.

Some of the instructional support staff you may find in school are called:

  • Paraeducator/Instructional Assistant

  • Special Education Assistant

  • Bilingual/ELL Assistant

  • Library or Computer Lab Assistant

Administrative & Clerical

Administrative & Clerical staff work in the school's main office and other offices around the building to keep the school running smoothly. School secretaries and administrative assistants are usually the first people you see when you walk into the school office - they answer phones, help visitors, and take care of paperwork. Office coordinators and registrars keep track of student records, handle enrollment when new students join the school, and make sure all the important papers are filed correctly. Every day, these office workers help students who are sick or need to call home, assist parents with questions, type letters and forms, schedule meetings for teachers and principals, and keep track of attendance. They also handle money for school activities, order supplies, and help make sure information gets to the right people at the right time.

Administrative and clerical staff can include:

  • School Secretary

  • Administrative Assistant

  • Office Coordinator

  • Registrar

Student Services & Health

Student Services & Health staff work throughout the school to keep students healthy, safe, and supported. The school nurse works in the health office taking care of students who get sick or hurt, giving medicine, and checking on students with health problems. Health assistants help the nurse and take care of basic first aid. Mental health specialists and behavior interventionists work with students who are having emotional or behavioral challenges, helping them learn better ways to handle their feelings. Family advocates help connect families with the school and community resources they need. Security officers and campus supervisors walk around the school to keep everyone safe and help solve problems. Every day, these staff members help students feel better when they're sick, teach students about staying healthy, work with families to solve problems, and make sure the school is a safe place where everyone can learn.

Student services and health includes a lot of different jobs, here are just a few of them:

  • Health Assistant/Aide

  • Mental Health Specialist

  • Behavior Interventionist

  • Family Advocate/Liaison

  • Interpreter/Translator

  • Campus Supervisor

  • Security Officer

Food Service

Food Service staff work in the school cafeteria and kitchen to make sure students get healthy meals every day. The food service manager plans the menus, orders food, and makes sure the kitchen follows health and safety rules. Cooks prepare breakfast and lunch for hundreds of students, while kitchen assistants help with cooking, cleaning dishes, and keeping the kitchen clean. Cashiers work at the lunch line, taking money or scanning student ID cards when students buy their meals. Every day, these workers arrive early to start cooking, serve hot meals to students during breakfast and lunch periods, clean up the kitchen and cafeteria, and make sure students with food allergies get safe meals. They also help students learn about good nutrition and make sure every student who needs a free or reduced-price meal can get one.

You might see some of these food service workers at your school:

  • Food Service Manager

  • Cook

  • Kitchen Assistant

  • Cashier

Facilities & Maintenance

Facilities & Maintenance staff work all around the school building and grounds to keep everything clean, safe, and working properly. Custodians and janitors clean classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, and the cafeteria every day, empty trash cans, and mop floors. Groundskeepers take care of the outdoor areas by mowing grass, planting flowers, and keeping playgrounds safe. Maintenance technicians fix broken things like leaky faucets, burned-out lights, and heating systems. Skilled trades workers like electricians, plumbers, and carpenters handle bigger repair jobs and make sure the building's electricity, water, and air conditioning work correctly. Every day, these workers arrive early and stay late to clean the school, fix problems that come up, shovel snow in winter, and make sure the building is ready for students and teachers. They help create a clean, comfortable place where everyone can focus on learning.

These are just some of the jobs in a school that help with facilities and maintenance:

  • Custodian/Janitor

  • Groundskeeper

  • Maintenance Technician

  • Skilled Trades (Electrician, Plumber, Carpenter, HVAC)

  • Facilities Manager

Transportation

Transportation staff work to safely get students to and from school every day. Bus drivers are the first school employees many students see in the morning and the last ones they see in the afternoon as they drive students on their routes around the community. Van drivers transport smaller groups of students, especially those with special needs who need extra care. Transportation dispatchers work in the office using radios and computers to keep track of all the buses, help solve problems like breakdowns or traffic delays, and make sure drivers know about route changes. Bus mechanics work in the garage fixing buses, checking brakes and engines, and making sure every vehicle is safe to drive. Every day, these workers wake up early to prepare buses, drive carefully through neighborhoods and busy streets, help students get on and off safely, and communicate with schools and parents when there are delays or problems.

Transportation jobs in school include:

  • Bus Driver

  • Van Driver

  • Transportation Dispatcher

  • Bus Mechanic

  • Transportation Supervisor

Technology

Technology staff work throughout the school to keep computers, tablets, and other technology working properly so students and teachers can use them for learning. IT technicians and technology support specialists fix broken computers, help teachers when their classroom technology isn't working, and make sure the school's internet connection is fast and reliable. Computer repair technicians work in a special room or office fixing laptops and tablets that students and teachers bring to them. Network administrators make sure all the computers in the school can connect to each other and to the internet safely. Instructional technology assistants help teachers learn how to use new educational apps and programs, and they sometimes work directly with students in computer labs. Every day, these workers answer help calls from classrooms, install new software, replace broken screens and keyboards, and teach people how to use technology tools that make learning more fun and effective.

Some of the jobs you might find working in technology in schools are:

  • IT Technician

  • Technology Support Specialist

  • Computer Repair Technician

  • Network Administrator

  • Instructional Technology Assistant

Early Learning (Head Start/ECEAP)

Early Learning staff work with very young children in special programs like Head Start and ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) that are often located in elementary schools or separate buildings. Early childhood educators and Head Start teachers work in classrooms with children from birth to age 5, teaching them basic skills like counting, letters, and how to get along with others. Family service workers help connect families with resources they need like food, healthcare, and housing assistance. Early learning assistants help the teachers by working with small groups of children, preparing activities, and keeping the classroom clean and safe. Parent educators teach parents and caregivers how to help their children learn and grow at home. Every day, these workers help little children learn through play, songs, and hands-on activities, change diapers and help with potty training, serve snacks and meals, and work closely with families to make sure each child is ready for kindergarten.

These are just some of the roles in early learning in a school setting:

  • Early Childhood Educator

  • Head Start Teacher

  • Family Service Worker

  • Early Learning Assistant

  • Parent Educator

District Leadership

District Leadership staff work in the district office building to make decisions and plans that affect all the schools in the school district. The superintendent is like the principal of the whole district, making sure all schools run well and students get a good education. Assistant superintendents help the superintendent by focusing on special areas like curriculum (what students learn) or special services for students who need extra help. Directors lead different departments - the Director of Operations makes sure all schools have what they need, the Director of Transportation manages all the buses, the Director of Food Services oversees school meals, and the Human Resources Director hires new teachers and staff. Every day, these leaders meet with school principals, make budgets to decide how to spend money, create policies and rules for all schools to follow, and work with the school board and community members to solve big problems and plan for the future.

These roles include but aren’t limited to:

  • Superintendent

  • Assistant Superintendent

  • Director of Curriculum & Instruction

  • Director of Student Services

District Management

District Management staff work in offices and departments throughout the district to handle the day-to-day business of running all the schools. The Director of Facilities makes sure all school buildings are safe and well-maintained, while the Director of Technology keeps computers and internet working in every school. The Finance Director manages the district's money, pays bills, and makes sure there's enough funding for everything schools need. The Communications Director writes newsletters, updates the district website, and tells the community about important school news. Other managers oversee specific areas like food services, transportation, and purchasing supplies. Every day, these workers create budgets and financial reports, order supplies and equipment for schools, fix problems with buildings and buses, handle payroll so employees get paid, and make sure the district follows laws and regulations. They work behind the scenes to support principals and teachers so students can focus on learning.

There are many management positions that vary across each school district:

  • Director of Operations

  • Director of Facilities

  • Director of Transportation

  • Director of Food Services

  • Director of Technology

  • Human Resources Director

Child Care Center Teachers

Child Care Center Teachers work in licensed child care centers that serve children from babies up to school age. Lead teachers are in charge of their own classroom and are responsible for planning lessons, keeping children safe, and making sure they learn and grow. Assistant teachers help the lead teacher by working with small groups of children, preparing materials, and supporting classroom activities. Every day, these teachers change diapers and help with potty training for younger children, serve meals and snacks, read stories, teach letters and numbers through games and activities, help children learn to share and get along with others, and talk with parents about how their child is doing. They also clean toys and classrooms, write notes about each child's progress, and make sure all the children in their care are happy, healthy, and ready to learn new things.

Child Care Center Directors/Owners

Child Care Center Directors and Owners run entire child care centers and make sure everything works smoothly and safely for children, families, and staff. Directors manage the whole center by hiring and training teachers, creating schedules, handling money and budgets, and making sure the center follows all the state rules and laws. Owners do all the same things as directors, but they also own the business and make decisions about how to run it. Every day, they walk around the center checking on classrooms, meet with parents who have questions or concerns, order supplies and food, handle paperwork and reports for the state, solve problems when they come up, and support teachers so they can do their best work with children. They also work with families to enroll new children, plan special events and activities, and make sure the center is a safe, clean, and welcoming place where children can learn and grow.

Early Childhood Special Education Teacher

Early Childhood Special Education Teachers work in child care centers, preschools, or special programs to help young children who have disabilities or developmental delays. These teachers have special training to work with children who might have trouble talking, moving, learning, or getting along with others. Every day, they create special lessons and activities that help each child learn in their own way, use special tools and equipment to help children communicate or move better, work closely with families to support the child at home, and team up with other specialists like speech therapists or occupational therapists. They also write special plans called IEPs (Individual Education Programs) that describe exactly how to help each child reach their goals, teach children basic skills like using the bathroom, holding a crayon, or following simple directions, and help children get ready for regular preschool or kindergarten. These teachers celebrate every small step forward and help children with special needs feel confident and successful.

Family Home Child Care Owner/Licensee

Family Home Child Care Owners and Licensees run their own child care business right in their home, taking care of children from babies to school age while their parents are at work. They get a special license from the state that allows them to care for up to 12 children in their house, depending on their license type. Every day, they plan fun learning activities like reading stories, playing games, and doing arts and crafts, prepare healthy meals and snacks in their own kitchen, help children with naps and quiet time, teach children important skills like sharing, using the bathroom, and getting along with others, and keep detailed records about each child's day to share with parents. They also handle the business side by collecting payments from families, buying toys and supplies, keeping their home clean and safe, and following all the state rules for child care. Because they work from home, they can create a cozy, family-like setting where children feel comfortable and loved while they learn and grow.

Family Home Child Care Lead Teacher

Family Home Child Care Lead Teachers work in someone else's licensed family home and help take care of children when the owner isn't there. They have the same training and skills as the owner and can make important decisions about the children's care and safety. Every day, they plan and lead learning activities like teaching letters and numbers, reading books, and playing educational games, help children with meals, snacks, and nap time, change diapers and help with potty training for younger children, and make sure all the children are safe and happy. They also talk with parents when they pick up their children, write notes about what each child did during the day, help children learn to share and follow rules, and keep the house clean and organized. Lead teachers need to know all the same rules and safety requirements as the home owner, so they can take full responsibility for the children and make sure everything runs smoothly when the owner steps out or takes a break.

Family Home Child Care Assistant

Family Home Child Care Assistants work in licensed family home child care to help the owner or lead teacher take care of children throughout the day. They work under the supervision of the owner or lead teacher and help with many different tasks to keep children safe, happy, and learning. Every day, they help serve meals and snacks, play with children and join in learning activities, assist with diaper changes and potty training, help children wash their hands and clean up after activities, and watch over children during nap time and outdoor play. They also help set up art projects and games, read stories to small groups of children, help children learn to share toys and get along with others, and keep the play areas clean and organized. Assistants follow the directions of the owner or lead teacher and are always ready to help wherever they're needed, making sure that all the children get the attention and care they need in the warm, home-like setting.