Online Teaching Programs in Vermont
Thousands of teachers in the Green Mountain State work with students from all backgrounds and ages. They teach core skills like reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as advanced classes in science, art, and languages. Vermont teachers also specialize in reading instruction and special education, and the state boasts plentiful teaching opportunities. By researching how to become a teacher, prospective Vermont educators can learn how to reach their professional goals.
Prospective teachers must earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and finish a teacher training program.
Teaching in Vermont is a rewarding and exciting career. However, becoming a teacher requires significant commitment. Elementary and secondary teaching positions in Vermont require a valid teaching certificate. Prospective teachers must earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and finish a teacher training program. Students attending both in-state and out-of-state teacher preparation programs meet Vermont’s requirements, and graduates from all non-Vermont programs (except those located in New York, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) receive automatic approval for the Vermont teaching license.
Graduates with an online teaching degree complete the same licensing process as on-campus teaching students, including Vermont’s required 13 weeks of student teaching experience. Many students prefer the flexibility and accessibility of an online teaching program, which allows students to arrange school around work or family obligations. Current teachers in particular benefit from earning an online master’s in teaching. By researching Vermont’s teaching requirements and which teacher preparation programs hold state approval, prospective teachers can find their pathway to working in the classroom.
How Do I Become a Teacher in Vermont?
Each state sets its own requirements for teaching licensure, and licenses do not automatically transfer to other states. In Vermont, the Agency of Education issues teaching licenses, for both traditional and online teaching program graduates. Like many other states, Vermont requires prospective educators to complete a bachelor’s degree and teacher preparation program, in addition to completing testing requirements and undergoing a background check. The state also offers a simplified licensure process to graduates from out-of-state teacher preparation programs located in National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) member states.
Teachers must hold a valid license from the state in which they teach. Vermont provides partial reciprocity to candidates with a teaching license from a state that has signed the NASDTEC agreement, who can apply for a level I professional educator’s license through the Agency of Education. Licensed Vermont teachers considering moving out of state must research their new state’s reciprocity process.
Educational Requirements
Teachers need to meet various educational requirements in order to apply for Vermont teaching jobs. Elementary and secondary teachers must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and complete an approved educator preparation program. Vermont automatically accepts out-of-state teacher preparation programs from all states except New York, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Graduates from those states must apply through the transcript review process.
A bachelor’s in teaching covers core teaching skills and knowledge, such as classroom management, multiculturalism in education, and assessment strategies. Teaching students also complete general education requirements and content area coursework. Most bachelor’s degrees require 120 credits of coursework, which typically takes four years of full-time study. Students with transfer credit or those in accelerated programs can earn the degree faster. Current teachers benefit from completing a master’s in teaching, which increases their earning power. Most master’s programs require two years of coursework.
Most bachelor’s degrees require 120 credits of coursework, which typically takes four years of full-time study.
The Vermont teaching requirements include student teaching experience. Applicants for the initial teaching license must show a minimum of 13 consecutive weeks of student teaching. In addition to the traditional route, Vermont offers an alternative route to licensure for teachers with a bachelor’s degree who have not completed a traditional educator preparation program. Candidates must meet additional requirements, such as demonstrating content area knowledge and undergoing a portfolio peer review.
While candidates with an associate degree in teaching do not meet the educational requirements for a teaching license, many work in education as preschool teachers, daycare or childcare workers, or paraprofessionals, also known as teacher’s aides. An associate degree also prepares graduates to transfer into a bachelor’s program, and may fulfill more than half of the required credits to earn a bachelor’s degree. Students considering a career in education may benefit by starting with an online associate degree in teaching.
Common Courses for Teaching Degrees in Vermont
Associate Degree in Teaching
| Foundations of Education | Beginning teaching students often start with a foundations course, which surveys the history, philosophy, and contemporary issues in education. The course may incorporate field observation in multiple classrooms. |
|---|---|
| Management of the Classroom | Students analyze the research, theory, and practice of classroom management, including current practice in local classrooms. Classes focus on creating a positive and productive classroom. |
| Early Childhood Education | Many associate degree holders work in early childcare education with children ages five and younger. These courses cover appropriate development and learning activities for young learners. |
Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching
| School and Society | Classes on school and society cover the relationship between the educational system and social norms, including the political and social forces that shape contemporary education in the U.S. |
|---|---|
| Teachers and the Teaching Process | Students examine the professional responsibilities of teachers and analyze Vermont and national standards. The class may incorporate field observation. |
| Content Literacy | Courses on content literacy cover the use of content and disciplinary literacy strategies, such as the concept of multiliteracies. |
Master’s Degree in Teaching
| Teaching for Results | Master’s students analyze planning, curriculum design, teaching, and evaluation. The course also covers the relationship between theoretical approaches and student results. |
|---|---|
| Literacy Assessment | Classes in literacy assessment help teachers identify, evaluate, and document literacy development, with an emphasis on assessment and instruction. |
| Technology, Schooling, and Society | Classes on technology in the classroom explore the ways computers and technology influence schooling and cover the best practices for integrating technology into classroom learning. |
How to Get a Teaching Certificate in Vermont
In Vermont, elementary and secondary teachers need to hold a teaching license. Vermont’s Agency of Education issues teaching certifications to candidates who meet the state’s qualifications. Vermont licensed teachers must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited or state-approved college or university, and they must also complete a teacher preparation program.
In addition to meeting educational requirements, teaching candidates must pass Praxis exams, including the Praxis Core tests in reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as content area Praxis II examinations for all endorsement areas. Candidates may use ACT, SAT, or GRE scores in lieu of the Praxis Core requirement. Vermont also requires candidates to document their student teaching experience; teachers must show at least 13 consecutive weeks of student teaching in order to receive a initial license. Candidates must also pass a background check prior to receiving a teaching license.
Vermont approves in-state teacher preparation programs that meet the state’s guidelines, and treats out-of-state Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) approved programs as state-approved from all states except New York, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. While other out-of-state graduates apply for an initial teaching license like Vermont graduates, candidates from programs in the four states without reciprocity must apply through transcript review.
Experienced teachers can apply for the level II professional educator’s license, which requires three years of teaching experience with an initial license, as well as professional development experience. Vermont also offers an alternative route to licensure for prospective teachers who have not completed a traditional educator preparation program. Alternative teaching candidates complete a peer review process which requires a portfolio, a bachelor’s degree, and passing Praxis scores.
An initial, level I Vermont teaching certificate remains valid for three years and costs $200 for the license or for license renewal. Teachers must show three credits of professional learning experience to renew the initial license. The level II teaching license remains valid for five years, costs $300, and requires six credits of approved professional learning experience.
Choosing a Program in Vermont
Choosing the right teaching program is the first step to working in the classroom. Many prospective students find the process overwhelming, particularly when considering online teaching programs. By researching potential teaching programs using key factors, such as cost, location, degree completion time, and specialization options, students can find the program that best fits their interests and career goals.
Prospective students can compare the per credit cost with the number of credits required for graduation, and check for discounts based on residency status or for online courses.
The cost of a teaching degree — whether for an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree — varies greatly depending on the institution. Prospective students can compare the per credit cost with the number of credits required for graduation, and check for discounts based on residency status or for online courses. Scholarships and grants can also significantly reduce the cost of a degree.
While local programs may provide some benefits, such as easier access to support resources and placements for student teaching, out-of-state programs may provide specializations not offered in-state or may accept more transfer credits, which can shorten the degree completion time. Multiple factors influence how long it takes to earn a degree — some students prefer the flexibility of online programs, which often offer accelerated options.
Can You Earn a Teaching Degree Online in Vermont?
In Vermont, K-12 teachers must hold a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program in order to earn a teaching license. While Vermont does require a degree from an accredited college or university, online teaching programs with CAEP accreditation meet the state’s educational guidelines for licensure. Educators who complete an online teaching degree in Vermont can earn a teaching license, as can prospective teachers who complete an online teaching program located in another state.
Graduates with an online teaching degree complete the same licensure process as educators with a traditional degree. Online teaching programs offer fundamental coursework in teaching methods, learning approaches, and assessment strategies, and they provide greater flexibility and accessibility than traditional teaching degrees. Online students also gain student teaching experience, often through a school in the student’s local area. For many students, particularly current teachers earning an advanced degree, online teaching degrees offer several benefits over traditional programs, all while meeting the Vermont teaching requirements for licensure.
Since Vermont only accepts bachelor’s degrees from accredited colleges and universities, including online teacher preparation programs with CAEP accreditation, it’s imperative for prospective students to check the institution’s accreditation status before enrolling in an online teaching program. Vermont offers a transcript review process for graduates of teacher preparation programs, which shows whether the candidate meets Vermont’s education guidelines.
Directory of Teaching Schools in Vermont
Paying for Your Teaching Degree in Vermont
Many prospective teachers worry about the cost of a teaching degree. When researching the cost of a teaching degree, prospective students need to check for scholarships, grants, loans, loan forgiveness programs, and other forms of financial aid. By considering the cost of a degree before enrolling in a teaching program, future teachers can create a clear plan to pay for their education.
Many students prefer to pursue scholarships and grants first, as graduates don’t need to repay them. Vermont offers multiple scholarships designed for future teachers, and by applying for a range of scholarships, students can cut costs significantly. Many students also use loans to pay for school. Teaching students can qualify for several federal loan and grant programs, including work study opportunities, by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA. While graduates must repay loans, teachers benefit from loan forgiveness programs that can discharge up to 100% of their student loans.
In addition to scholarships, grants, and loans, students often qualify for financial aid through their college or university. Current teachers and other education professionals may also qualify for tuition reimbursement plans from their school district or employer. Future teachers can cover their educational costs by using a variety of financial aid sources.
Loan Forgiveness for Vermont Teachers
Loan forgiveness programs forgive all or part of a graduate’s loans based on their professional contributions. Teachers can qualify for several loan forgiveness programs, often by meeting service obligations, such as a minimum number of years teaching at a low-income school or in a high-need field.
At the federal level, the Financial Aid Office offers two loan forgiveness programs designed specifically for teachers. The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program provides up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness on subsidized and unsubsidized direct loans and Stafford loans. Teachers must work for five consecutive years at a low-income school before receiving the benefits. The Perkins Loan Teacher Cancellation program discharges up to 100% of a Perkins loan for teachers who work in low-income schools. The program also applies to teachers in high-need fields, such as special education. In some cases, teachers can defer some of their loans while meeting the teaching obligation.
Teachers can use the Teacher Cancellation Low Income Directory to find qualifying schools that meet the federal loan forgiveness guidelines. Vermont does not currently operate a state-specific loan forgiveness program for teachers.
Scholarships for Vermont Teaching Students
Vermont students benefit from several scholarship and grant programs designed for teachers. Some programs, like the TEACH Grant, require recipients to fulfill a teaching commitment after graduation. In addition to the programs listed below, the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation provides information on more than 140 scholarships for Vermont students.
Alicia Shanks Memorial Scholarship $1,000
Vermont-National Education Association (Vermont-NEA) Maida Townsend Scholarship $1,000
TEACH Grant $4,000
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Vermont Scholarship Project Partial Tuition
Job Outlook and Salary for Teachers in Vermont
| Location | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 26,710 | $48,720 |
| United States | 8,636,430 | $54,520 |
Nearly 27,000 teachers work in Vermont. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Vermont teachers earn an average annual salary just under $49,000, which is below the national average for teacher salaries. Teacher salaries vary significantly based on location, job title, and the teacher’s level of education and experience.
Vermont’s preschool teachers earn the lowest average annual salaries, at just under $34,000. However, teachers at the preschool level do not need a Vermont teaching license, unlike elementary and secondary teachers. Kindergarten and elementary teachers make around $57,000 per year, while middle school teachers average $58,070 annually and high school teachers earn an average of $56,670 per year.
As in most states, Vermont teacher salaries vary based on the teacher’s level of education and experience. Teachers with a master’s degree earn more than those with a bachelor’s degree, and in many districts, teachers with several years of experience are better paid than younger colleagues. Location can also affect salaries, with teachers in metropolitan areas usually outearning rural teachers. Many school districts publish their salary schedules, which allows teaching students to research their potential salaries.
| Source: BLS | |
| Preschool Teachers | $33,900 |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $57,120 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $56,940 |
| Middle School Teachers | $58,070 |
| Secondary School Teachers | $56,670 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Teaching in Vermont
How do I get a teaching license in Vermont?
How much does a teacher make a year in Vermont?
How long does it take to get a teaching certificate in Vermont?
Resources for Teachers in Vermont
- Vermont Agency of Education The Vermont Agency of Education manages the state’s teacher licensure process, including issuing new licenses and renewing licenses. In addition to issuing Vermont teaching credentials, the agency also provides several resources for teachers, including professional development information, education quality standards, and data on Vermont schools and educators.
- Vermont-NEA As the state’s affiliate branch of the National Education Association, this organization advocates for more than 12,000 educators as the state’s largest union. Vermont-NEA members receive contract negotiation services, legal representation, and professional development resources.
- Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VAEYC) A state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the VAEYC advocates for the education and well being of young children and their educators. The VAEYC offers scholarships, conferences, and professional development resources.
- National Education Association (NEA) The NEA, founded in 1857, commits itself to the cause of public education through advocacy. Today, the NEA represents more than 3 million members, making it the nation’s largest professional employee organization. NEA members receive access to publications and research, professional development resources, and NEA programs and events.
