TeachAOP is an alternative certification program approved by the State Board of Education (SBE) and offered through a partnership among Anderson School Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the School District of Oconee County, and the School District of Pickens County.
This district-based program is designed for individuals seeking South Carolina teacher certification and is delivered through a cohort model that provides continuous, hands-on support throughout the certification process.
To learn more about this alternative certification program or to apply, please visit the TeachAOP website.
Certification Fields
The following certification fields are offered by TeachAOP:
K-12
- Physical Education
- Special Education: Multi-Categorical
Middle Level (Grades 5-8)
- Middle Level Language Arts
- Middle Level Mathematics
- Middle Level Science
High School (Grades 9-12)
- Business and Marketing Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
Eligibility
To be eligible for an alternative certification program, all applicants must first meet the general eligibility requirements in addition to any requirements set by the program. To review the general eligibility requirements, please visit the webpage Guidance for Prospective Alternative Route Certification Program Participants.
Potential candidates for TeachAOP must have a bachelor’s degree meeting the major or major equivalency requirement of a field, meet the minimum GPA requirement, and have a passing score on the appropriate subject area assessment. For more information regarding eligibility, please contact a TeachAOP representative.
Certification Overview
Individuals interested in TeachAOP will apply directly to the program provider and be evaluated for eligible certification fields. If eligible, applicants will continue the application process, including the application requirements for certification with the South Carolina Department of Education. After completion of the application process, the training requirements, and confirmation of employment in the certification field, applicants will be issued their first TeachAOP Alternative Route Teaching Certificate and become program participants.
Participants who complete all program requirements after three years of program involvement will be issued a Professional Teaching Certificate.
Enrollment Inquiries
The South Carolina Department of Education does not facilitate eligibility evaluation or program participation for TeachAOP. For information regarding this approved alternative certification program, please contact a TeachAOP representative:
Anderson School District 1 - Melissa Tollison (
tollisonm@apps.anderson1.org)
Anderson School District 2 - Lester McCall (
lmccall@asd2.org)
Anderson School District 3 - Dr. Adam Coats (
coatsa@acsd3.org)
Anderson School District 4 - Dr. Kim Clardy (
kclardy@anderson4.org)
Anderson School District 5 - Curtis Smith (
CurtisSmith@anderson5.net)
School District of Oconee County - Susie Wearing (
swearing@sdoc.org)
School District of Pickens County - Danny Rogers (
dannyrogers@pickens.k12.sc.us)
School District of Pickens County - Dr. Ashley Anderson-Murray (
ashleymurray@pickens.k12.sc.us)
