TAPP May be for You

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TAPP May be for You

by Edith

Mar 17, 2013

TAPP is working for me. I will finish June 2013. I already had an MBA and only planned on spending enough time (10 years) in education to retire as this is my second career. I didn't want to spend time, money or effort on a doctorate. If I was younger and was going to be in the system longer than 10 years, I would suggest a traditional route. The courses are not very specific and you don't learn many real world applications. The "portfolio" you must create to pass program is extremely rigourous and is definitely subjective, depending on who your supervisors are. In addition if you pursue the Special Education route as I have, the work is considerably more than Regular education. It is true you get paid on a provisional salary scale and not the regular salary scale, which in my case is about $4k less than another new teacher who is already cerfitifed.

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propsectiveTeacher Thanks for sharing.

Does TAPP put you in the classroom immediately? I'm considering it and hoping there's student teaching or something to start

Jun 12, 2013

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propsectiveTeacher Thanks for sharing.

Does TAPP put you in the classroom immediately? I'm considering it and hoping there's student teaching or something to start

Jun 12, 2013

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Former Teacher Under the TAPP program, you will have your own classroom while attending seminars, working on journal entries, and completing your portfolio. TAPP is a learn while you work program, which was created during a time where there were more teaching positions than teachers.

A benefit of TAPP is that you're earning a salary (minus the TAPP tuit...See MoreUnder the TAPP program, you will have your own classroom while attending seminars, working on journal entries, and completing your portfolio. TAPP is a learn while you work program, which was created during a time where there were more teaching positions than teachers.

A benefit of TAPP is that you're earning a salary (minus the TAPP tuition fee) and years towards teacher retirement. As a TAPP Teacher, you will have a mentor who will help you in your first few years as a teacher. Those who become teachers through the traditional route are not guaranteed a mentor.

A major drawback of the TAPP program is that the seminars do not adequately prepare you to teach in the classroom. As a result, many districts are not considering uncertified teachers (even as a last resort) for TAPP. There are many success stories in the TAPP program (mainly older adults who have children and have a strong foundation in discipline), but a lot of TAPP teachers leave the profession for various reasons.

If you are a strong disciplinarian who loves kids, then TAPP is a viable alternative to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree. Before you can start TAPP, you must be hired by a school system, and the principal must recommend you to the program.

If you have not passed the GACE Tests in your subject matter, I strongly recommend you take and pass them prior to applying for a position. One of the main reasons TAPP teachers don't complete the program is due to not being able to pass the GACE; thus, principals looking for long term teachers are very hesitant of hiring anyone who hasn't passed the GACE prior to the application process.

If you choose to go the TAPP route, be aware that many districts won't consider you for a teaching position regardless of whether you earn your clear renewable certificate, so keep this fact in mind if you end up looking for a teaching job elsewhere. Principals and central office staff have ways to determine how you became certified, and TAPP teachers tend to have less clout in the profession.

Good luck.

--Former Teeacher

On 6/12/13, propsectiveTeacher wrote: > Thanks for sharing. > > Does TAPP put you in the classroom immediately? I'm > considering it and hoping there's student teaching or > something to start

Jun 12, 2013

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