How to Become a Teacher in Vermont

Individuals pursuing teaching in Vermont can earn above-average salaries while pursuing fulfilling career opportunities. In this state, elementary school teachers earned a median of $62,750 in 2020, and high school teachers earned $66,370. Special education teachers working in elementary schools earned a median of $61,250, while those in secondary schools earned $64,270. The mean annual wage for all occupations during the same time was $56,310.

All elementary, middle, and high school educators who work in public school districts in Vermont must earn at least a bachelor’s degree and hold a state-issued Professional Educator’s License.

In a traditional route to licensure, aspiring educators must complete state-recognized educator preparation programs while pursuing their bachelor’s degrees. These individuals can choose majors that correspond with their desired roles, such as elementary education, physical education, or special education. These programs include a student-teaching component.

After completing this training, educators must pass the Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educators tests and Praxis® II content tests.

Teachers in Vermont must complete a state-approved educator preparation program, meet the required number of student-teaching hours, and pass the Praxis® Core & Praxis® II exams.

However, teachers who are licensed in other states and wish to work in Vermont can often transfer their credentials and apply for Vermont licensure according to NASDTEC Interstate Agreement guidelines. Teachers from some states may need to complete additional coursework or assessments.

When earning a teaching certification in Vermont, teachers are first granted a Level I Professional Educator’s License. After three years of teaching experience, teachers who have completed 45 hours of professional development and conducted a self-assessment can apply for a Level II Professional Educator’s License.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Individuals who wish to pursue teaching in Vermont must hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Teachers must earn this degree through a state-approved program and earn a minimum GPA of 3.0. Course and major requirements depend on students’ intended teaching roles. They may choose to earn more specialized degrees such as art education, special education, math education, middle grades, or English as a second language.

Many individuals with work experience in other fields choose to pursue teaching later in their careers. Aspiring teachers who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree but have not completed an approved educator preparation program can apply for licensure through a peer-review program. These individuals submit their transcripts for review, take Praxis® Core and Praxis® II exams, and submit a resume highlighting prior teaching experience. Then, applicants must attend an online peer-review clinic in which they present their credentials to a panel of certified educators, who then recommend applicants for licensure.

Education Requirements:

Aspiring educators must complete 13 consecutive weeks of student teaching coordinated through their degree program. During this time, student teachers are placed with certified educators who act as mentors.

Faculty supervisors work alongside mentors to evaluate performance, meeting with student teachers approximately every 10 business days to provide feedback. At the conclusion of their fieldwork, candidates are graded on their performance. Aspiring teachers must earn at least a grade of “B” to apply for licensure.

To apply for teaching certification in Vermont, candidates must pass the Praxis® Core Academic Skills Test, which evaluates whether educators have the adequate knowledge base to instruct students; individuals must earn a minimum reading score of 156, a minimum writing score of 162, and a minimum mathematics score of 150.

Alternatively, individuals may be able to submit qualifying Praxis® I, SAT, ACT, or GRE scores rather than Praxis® Core Academic Skills Test scores to demonstrate their academic capabilities.

Aspiring teachers must also take the Praxis® II Content Tests, which assess skills associated with candidates’ indented specialization and grade level.

Once a candidate is recommended for licensure through their Educator Preparation Program, they may apply for certification. Individuals must fill out their basic information through the initial registration form for the Vermont Online Licensing System of Educators (ALiS) before submitting the application.

An application should include the official seal of the candidate’s postsecondary institution, the registrar’s signature, the conferral date of the candidate’s degree, and the candidate’s official transcript, which should indicate completion of student teaching and include the official recommendation for licensure. When submitting this application, individuals must pay a $200 fee. Candidates must also get fingerprints for a criminal background check, which requires an additional $13.25 fee.

Teachers in Vermont must renew their educators’ licenses through ALiS. A Level I license expires after three years. After that, teachers have to be recommended to pursue Level II licensure. Otherwise, educators can renew their Level I license.

To qualify for Level II, teachers must complete 45 hours of professional learning. Although some of this training focuses on more generalized objectives, at least 15 hours must pertain to specific skills and knowledge associated with educators’ endorsement areas, such as math education or special education.

Level II licenses must be renewed every 7 years. To renew a Level II license, educators must complete 135 hours of professional learning, with at least 45 hours pertaining to specific knowledge associated with their endorsement area.

Licensed educators in Vermont can find an array of in-demand careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that between 2020 and 2030, jobs for special education teachers and high school teachers are projected to grow by 8%, while jobs for teacher’s assistants are projected to grow by 9%.

Elementary school teachers in Vermont earned a median annual salary of $62,750 in 2020, while middle school teachers earned $62,600 and high school teachers earned $66,370. In the same year, the median salary for special education teachers was $61,250 in elementary schools and $64,270 in secondary schools.

Although teachers in Vermont are not required to hold master’s degrees, educators with graduate degrees may qualify for administrative positions once they have gained teaching experience. They may also be more competitive candidates for positions in well-paying school systems.

Math teachers certified to work with grades 7-12 are especially in-demand in the state of Vermont. These individuals teach the fundamentals of algebra, geometry, statistics, trigonometry, or calculus. Math curricula for older students emphasize standardized test performance and postsecondary readiness.

Median Annual Salary:$62,870

These professionals organize books and other collected media in student libraries. Although librarians’ responsibilities vary by age group and school district, they use the library as a resource to promote literacy, effective research habits, and technology use to supplement classroom education.

Median Annual Salary:$51,000

These individuals guide students through their academic careers, assuring that school infrastructures meet their academic and emotional needs. They may organize student schedules, arrange accommodations for learners, and help students navigate their future college and career plans. Guidance counselors must often earn a master’s degree in psychology or counseling, although many have some academic or employment background in teaching.

Median Annual Salary:$58,120

Special education teachers work with students with a wide variety of needs and abilities. These professionals help students meet appropriate learning objectives with necessary accommodations. They may work with students one-on-one, lead small group learning, or assist special needs students in general education classrooms.

Median Annual Salary: $ 60,620

These educators help students learn principles of sports and fitness and encourage students to build healthy exercise habits. Though exact responsibilities depend on students’ grade level, physical education teachers oversee learners’ safety and performance during group activities, games, or exercises.

Median Annual Salary:$46,920

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