Testing a solution
In June 2025, IALR piloted a Technology and Engineering Education Endorsement Bootcamp for GO TEC educators who did not yet hold the endorsement.
The four-day pilot combined in-person and virtual instruction to prepare participants for the Praxis 5053 examination. The eight educators who completed the program all passed the exam. (Seven passed on their first attempt, while the eighth passed on a second attempt.)
The success of the pilot demonstrated that targeted professional development could help school divisions build and maintain a pipeline of qualified technology and engineering educators while supporting the continued growth of GO TEC programming.
Expanding the program
With support from the TRRC grant and a $96,862.63 IALR match, IALR is formalizing and expanding the endorsement preparation program into a scalable professional development offering.
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Grant funding will support the development of curriculum, learning resources and delivery methods while allowing the first teachers from the TRRC region to complete the program at no cost. Participants will also receive stipends for completing the bootcamp and sitting for the Praxis examination.
“IALR is one of the Commission’s greatest success stories, and I am pleased that they continue to be an innovative, forward-looking asset to our Southern Virginia community,” said TRRC Commissioner Danny Marshall. “This ‘boot camp’ will ensure that our educators are fully prepared to help our students thrive in a world increasingly reliant on expertise in technology and engineering. Investing in our teachers is investing in our future and I can think of no better use of Commission funds.”
The initiative also expands GO TEC’s growing portfolio of educator support services.
Building on lessons learned from the pilot, IALR redesigned the program to fit into educators’ existing schedules and workloads conveniently. Rather than requiring multiple days away from the classroom, the new format will be delivered over four weeks through a blend of synchronous and asynchronous virtual learning.
Participants will complete 32 hours of instruction through a learning management system that includes content review, guided study modules, practice assessments, test-taking strategies and ongoing support. The revised format aligns with the Praxis testing schedule while minimizing disruptions to classroom instruction.
The endorsement preparation program complements the professional development GO TEC teachers already receive.
“This bootcamp was designed to build on the strong foundation our GO TEC teachers have already developed through our training program, providing additional content knowledge, test preparation, and hands-on support to significantly increase their readiness for success on the Praxis 5053 exam,” Taylor said.
Supporting school divisions
While many current GO TEC instructors already hold the required endorsement, the program provides an important pathway for new teachers entering GO TEC classrooms, educators transitioning into new roles and school divisions expanding career-connected learning opportunities.
“One of IALR’s core strengths is identifying gaps and bringing together the right partners and resources to address them,” said Dr. Melanie Lewis, Vice President of Advanced Learning at IALR. “Through GO TEC, we’re committed to supporting strong K-12 educational systems and creating opportunities for teacher professional development that ultimately benefit students, school divisions and employers. This endorsement preparation program is another example of how we work with our partners to solve challenges and strengthen talent development pipelines.”
GO TEC’s mission is to help students connect classroom learning with future career opportunities. Achieving that goal requires qualified educators who can effectively guide the students through those experiences, technologies and careers.
The teacher endorsement preparation program is another example of how IALR and GO TEC work alongside school divisions to address emerging challenges and strengthen educational pathways for students.
