New Teacher Institute

Since its formation in 2001, UGA’s New Teacher Institute (NTI) has served over 500 teacher candidates transitioning from business and industry to teach in a range of career and technical education (CTE) fields, including auto mechanics, carpentry, health occupations, film and video production, cosmetology, culinary arts, web design, and much more.

Our alumni base stretches across Georgia with a substantial percentage now serving in leadership roles as department heads, assistant principals, and principals. Depending on the program you pursue through New Teacher Institute, you may earn graduate credit or professional learning units.

For more information about NTI, please submit a contact form to our program director, Dr. Elaine Adams .

Program Highlights

Intentional CommunityNTI is structured so candidates learn alongside other industry professionals and practicing teachers to share experiences, strategies, and build their professional learning networks.

Individualized Coaching and SupportCandidates will participate in think tanks, private consultations, seminars, and other distinctive experiences with faculty and peers to develop their teaching strategies and dispositions.

FlexibilityTeacher candidates have flexibility in how they complete their courses with face-to-face, online, and hybrid options, making NTI an ideal certification route for individuals employed full-time.

Variety of CTE FieldsCandidates can pursue a variety of CTE fields, including business education, marketing education, trade and industrial education, Family and Consumer Sciences education, health sciences occupations, and engineering and technology education.

About the Program

NTI is a certification model encompassing a wide array of programs; depending on your academic background and professional goals, you may participate in NTI as either a graduate student in workforce education (MAT, EDS, or non-degree) or as a certification-only student (CTE teachers who do not hold a bachelor’s degree but teach career and technical specializations such as automotive or welding).

NTI officially starts each summer with two interconnected courses required for certification, jumpstarting your knowledge of curriculum and instructional methods, and developing camaraderie among your peers. You’ll complete these requirements plus a year-long teaching internship under the direction of the NTI director.

Because NTI combines students across degree programs, industries, and career stages, you have the opportunity to learn from your peers and build a community of knowledge.

Application Details

Candidates must apply to be a part of the NTI. All interested persons should complete this form for more information.

Individuals seeking admission to the certification-only program (no undergraduate degree) should email Dr. Elaine Adams .

Those seeking a graduate degree or credit from UGA should apply through the UGA Graduate School. Please review the workforce education graduate program webpages for the most up-to-date admissions details and criteria.

Alumni and Testimonials

Map of Georgia Counties with COE alumni

The University of Georgia workforce education program and New Teacher Institute has prepared me tremendously for a successful and impactful career as an educator. The program is extremely flexible which has allowed me to work full-time while taking classes towards my degree. I have gained a tremendous amount of insight and knowledge in all areas ranging from special needs to technology in education throughout my time in the program and NTI. As someone who has come from a career in healthcare science, UGA has given me confidence and a foundation to make an impact on my students and feel confident in my abilities as an educator.
Eric Gonter, MAT ‘21
Chestatee Academy, healthcare science

There are many certification programs in Georgia but none of them cater to career and technical education the way UGA’s New Teacher Institute does. The program is geared towards creating skilled workforce education leaders, and it is not limited to the classroom. Once you join NTI, you are not alone—you become part of a family. Use your community to exceed beyond the expectations of CTE. Don’t be afraid of a challenge; it builds character and your resume. I continued further in the program to get my EdS in workforce education because of the unique support and extra push that I received during NTI.
Percina Hale, EdS ‘21
Dunwoody High School, Family and Consumer Sciences

Elaine Adams and her team at NTI are so great to work with in terms of preparing you as a teacher. New Teacher Institute prepares you for the practical side of teaching—creating lesson plans, making assessments, learning teaching strategies, talking about classroom management, and more. The best part is that many teachers take NTI as first or second year educators, so you have support from NTI as a new teacher. Adams is very supportive and takes plenty of one-on-one time to meet with you and help you in your individual goals.
Laura Ringer, MAT ‘21
Greene College and Career Academy, Family and Consumer Sciences