How to apply: 

1. If you're interested in the TeachAOP program, you'll start by filling out an interest form on the TeachAOP website: https://bit.ly/TeachAOP.
2. You'll be evaluated to see which certification areas you're eligible for.
3. Apply directly to the school district in which you plan to teach.
4. Complete all certification application requirements through the South Carolina Department of Education.
5. Once you've finished the full application process, met the training requirements, and secured a teaching position in your certification area, you’ll be issued your first TeachAOP Alternative Route Teaching Certificate and officially become a program participant.

1. District-Based, Cohort-Style Model
TeachAOP is delivered through a cohort model and is embedded within specific South Carolina school districts (Anderson School Districts 1–5, Oconee County, and Pickens County). You’ll move through the certification process as a group, with consistent, in-person local support. 

2. Approved Alternative Route
TeachAOP is officially approved by the South Carolina State Board of Education as an alternative pathway for teacher certification. 

3. Hands-On, Continuous Support
You’ll benefit from continuous, hands-on support throughout the certification timeline—not a passive or purely online program, but one grounded in local mentoring and guidance. 

4. Local Administration
The program is administered directly by the participating school districts, not the South Carolina Department of Education. Their role is approval and oversight, not hands-on management. 

5. Certified Fields & Employment-Centric
Certification is offered in targeted content areas: K-12 Physical Education and Multi-Categorical Special Education, Middle Level Math and Science, and High School Business & Marketing, Math, and Science. You must be employed in a relevant certification field to participate, aligning training directly with community staffing needs.

6. Three-Year Certification Timeline
Once accepted, you’ll receive a TeachAOP Alternative Route Teaching Certificate. After three years of program participation, upon meeting all requirements, you’ll be eligible to obtain a South Carolina Professional Teaching Certificate. 

Here's what to expect during your first year in the program.

Summer:

• Orientation to Education Course
• Summer Institute
• Induction Institute

Fall:

• 2 Seminars
• 1 Learning Lab
• Job-Embedded Support
• Teacher Support Team Meeting
• Formative Evaluation (using SCTS Rubric)
• Student Learning Objective (SLO)

Spring:

• 1 Seminar
• 1 Learning Lab
• Job-Embedded Support
• Teacher Support Team Meetings
• Formative Evaluation (SCTS Rubric)
• SLO
• End-of-Year Conference (with Principal & HR)

Here's what to expect during your second year in the program.

Summer:

• Educational Psychology Course

Fall:

• 1 Seminar
• 1 Learning Lab
• Job-Embedded Support
• Teacher Support Team Meeting
• Summative Evaluation (SCTS Rubric)
• SLO

Spring:

• 1 Seminar
• Job-Embedded Support
• Teacher Support Team Meeting
• Summative Evaluation (SCTS Rubric)
• SLO
• End-of-Year Conference (with Principal & HR)

Here's what to expect during your third year in the program.

Summer:

• Meaningful Assessment Practices Course
• Take the PLT (Principles of Learning and Teaching) Exam

Fall & Spring:

• Formative Evaluation (SCTS Rubric)
• SLO
• Walkthrough Observations