Online Teaching Specialist Endorsements: What They Are & Why They Matter
One of the features that sets Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative (VTVLC) apart from other online learning options for K-12 students lies in the quality of our teachers. All educators at VTVLC hold the Online Teaching Specialist (OTS) Endorsement, which is an endorsement added to teachers’ Vermont educator license signifying that they have met a variety of standards related to quality online instruction.
What does this mean for your child’s education experience at VTVLC? It means that our educators are not simply transposing curriculum developed for face-to-face classroom instruction to an online platform: the specificity of the online context, and the unique needs associated with ensuring quality online teaching, are considered at every level at VTVLC, from our curriculum to our teachers.
Knowledge Standards of OTS-Endorsed Educators
OTS-Endorsed Educators have demonstrated knowledge in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of online instruction in alignment with national professional standards and Vermont’s framework of standards. These include:
- Skills in a continuum of technologies relevant to the online learning environment, which support student engagement in the online environment
- Principles of effective online instruction and strategies that promote creativity and innovation in virtual environments
- Legal and ethical online behavior
- Required adaptations to curriculum to support accessibility
- How to develop online assessments
An additional requirement of earning an OTS in Vermont is the completion of an online teaching practicum, which means that our teachers are practiced, experienced practitioners of online instruction.
Certificate in Online Teaching Program
One of the foremost programs for earning an OTS-endorsement in Vermont is the Northeast Online Teaching Institute’s (NEOTI) Certificate in Online Teaching (CiOT) Program. The CiOT program consists of three graduate level courses, including a practicum in online teaching, with credits transcribed by Vermont State University. The program is designed to train experienced teachers in the best practices of online teaching, delve into the methodologies used to facilitate online courses, and facilitate an opportunity for educators to get real-life experience in online teaching through a practicum.
Many VTVLC educators have earned their OTS endorsement through NEOTI’s rigorous Certificate in Online Teaching program. Through this partnership, VTVLC’s experience and expertise also contribute to the preparation of online educators across Vermont. Most importantly, the endorsement gives students and families confidence that their courses are led by educators who understand how to create engaging, accessible, and supportive online learning experiences.
What OTS-Endorsed Teaching Looks Like for Students
For students, these standards translate into an online classroom that is intentionally organized, engaging, and responsive. VTVLC teachers establish clear expectations, communicate regularly, and provide timely, individualized feedback so students understand both their progress and their next steps.
OTS-endorsed teachers are also trained to create opportunities for active learning, collaboration, creativity, and real-world application. Rather than relying solely on readings and automated assignments, they use a variety of instructional and assessment methods to help students engage with course content and demonstrate what they have learned.
Supporting Students as Online Learners
Online students need access to various forms of support in developing real-life skills that contribute to success in their online courses, including help with time management, organization, communication, and more. OTS preparation helps teachers recognize these needs and intentionally build structures that support students as they develop greater independence and confidence.
Teachers are also prepared to adapt online instruction for a wide range of learners. This includes designing accessible course materials and offering multiple ways for students to access information, participate in learning, and demonstrate their understanding.
The VTVLC Difference
The OTS endorsement represents technical efficiency, but it also demonstrates that an educator understands how teaching, communication, assessment, and student support must be approached differently in an online environment.
For VTVLC families, this means students are learning from licensed Vermont educators who are qualified in their content areas and specifically prepared to teach from a distance. Every element of the learning experience – from the organization of the course to the feedback a student receives – is developed with the needs of online learners in mind.