The Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP) is a classroom-based teacher preparation option for individuals who have the basic qualifications to teach elementary, middle-grades, or secondary education and have not completed a teacher preparation program.

The GaTAPP Program is not intended to replace traditional teacher education programs. It is, instead, an alternative option for individuals who hold a Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited institution, but who did not complete a teacher education preparation program that leads to certification.

GaTAPP seeks to equip teacher candidates with the skills to ensure a reasonable expectation of initial success in their classrooms, and to put in place a supervised internship/induction program that will help teacher candidates move toward subsequent mastery of teaching.

Please note that to be considered for the WGRESA GaTAPP Program, an individual must have already secured a full-time teaching position in one of our participating member systems: Carrollton City, Carroll County, Coweta County, Harris County, Heard County, Meriwether County, and Troup County.

Applicants Should Understand

• WGRESA RESA only provides training for the GA TAPP Program.

• WGRESA RESA is NOT able to guarantee applicants who have completed the eligibility program a position in schools. Individual school systems remain the hiring entity. West Georgia RESA supports area school systems by screening potential teacher-candidates who want to pursue an alternative route to teacher certification.

• A related degree is required for our program (the only exception to this rule includes Special Education).

• For general questions regarding the program or application process, please email GaTAPP.

• Eligibility may only be determined after a teacher candidate’s file is complete. See Next Steps below for details of the application process.

• The GaTAPP Program is designed to be an 18-month program for middle and high school teacher candidates. The duration of the GaTAPP Program for elementary teacher candidates is 24-months, reflecting additional state requirements for training and support.

Pre-TAPP

West Georgia RESA Pre-TAPP Program is a two-week program for individuals who have not secured a full-time teaching position yet are interested in becoming a teacher. To qualify for this program, participants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Completed application with $50.00 processing fee (non-refundable)

• College transcript reflecting a 2.5 or higher overall GPA in a completed four-year degree

• Successful completion of the two-week Essentials of Teaching course