Teaching Endorsements

Most Vermont high school teachers work in subject-area departments, collaborating closely with teachers in the same content area. A typical course load is generally five classes and anywhere from one to four “preps,” or different course preparations. Classes may meet daily for 45-90 minutes or every other day for 75-90 minutes. High school teachers also lead a homeroom “advisory” and often stay with the same advisory students throughout their high school careers.

Most Vermont middle schools are organized by teams, so teachers work most closely with one to three other colleagues who share the same students but each teaches different core subjects. Emphasis is on early adolescent development in which middle-level academic teachers actively support students’ organizational skills, collaboration with peers, and social-emotional development. Many candidates pursue a dual endorsement in another middle-level core subject and may work with two mentor teachers on the same middle school team during their TAP internship.

These unique endorsements span over both the middle and high school levels from grades five through 12. These teachers tend to teach a breadth of subjects and several course preparations at one time, and they can often be the only teacher or one of a small department. TAP is the only program in Vermont which prepares teaching candidates for these endorsements.

Candidates who pursue a PK through 12 endorsement have the flexibility to teach at all grade levels. They need to understand learners at all developmental levels. Candidates do a primary student teaching practicum in one grade span (grades PK through six or grades seven through 12) and a secondary practicum of 60 hours in the other grade span. An additional $500 fee is required to secure the second placement and to compensate a second mentor.