Coultas named director at Vermont Tech

Patti Coultas has been named Director of the Career and Technical Education Teacher Preparation Program at Vermont Technical College. The Career and Technical Education Teacher Preparation Program is an educational licensing route for both the trades & industry as well as technical professional instructors at Vermont's 16 technical high schools.

Admission to the program is limited to high school graduates with at least six years experience in the trades or industry; or individuals with an associate’s degree and three years’ experience. Once hired at a regional high school technical center, teachers can enter this three year program to obtain their Level I Educator License. The program includes 24 undergraduate Vermont Technical College credits earned by completing six courses.

“Technical education in Vermont is taught by experienced trades people specializing in the arts, business, hospitality, manufacturing, construction trades, automotive, electrical, and plumbing, just to name a few,” said Coultas. “Recognizing that individuals in the trades and industry can become masters in their fields without earning a college degree,” she continued, “the state of Vermont developed this program to encourage and support their entry into the teaching field in their content areas. “

Coultas received her Bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University and her Master’s from Florida State University. She lives with her family in Hardwick.