The VMI Master's Degree Program
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis between now and March 30, 2026 for the next VMI Master’s cohort. Successful applicants to the VMI Master’s program are PreK-12 educators committed to enhancing their effectiveness as teachers of mathematics, are enthusiastic about increasing their mathematics content knowledge in a supportive environment and are committed to sharing their increased knowledge of mathematics content and pedagogy with colleagues through mentoring, peer coaching or other forms of professional development. The VMI Master’s program provides an excellent way for a school to increase leadership capacity in mathematics and consider long term, strategic approaches to addressing mathematics achievement concerns.
Offered in partnership with Vermont State University (VTSU), the VMI Master’s Program is a three-year, comprehensive mathematics professional development program. Now in its twenty-seventh year, the mission of the VMI Master’s program is to significantly improve the teaching and learning of mathematics in grades PreK-12 across Vermont and neighboring states.
Through their VMI experience, teachers build strong mathematics content knowledge, develop the ability to conduct action research around mathematics education issues, cultivate leadership skills, and apply this acquired knowledge and skill in their classrooms and at the school or district level to improve student learning.
- The program, held in the Burlington, VT area, is cohort-based and commences the weeks of July 6 and 13, 2026.
- Academic year courses are held on Friday/Saturday “weekends”: three during the fall semester and three during the spring semester.
- Summer courses are held two weeks during July each summer.
Upon completing the full three-year VMI program, a teacher will have earned 36 graduate credits and will have completed all of the requirements for the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Advanced Teaching and Learning of Mathematics from VTSU.
The summer courses for the 2026 cohort will be held Monday through Friday in the Burlington, VT area during the weeks of July 6 and July 13, 2026. Academic year courses will be held on Friday/Saturday “weekends”: three during the fall semester and three during the spring semester. VMI academic year courses also take place in the Burlington area. To support educators who live outside of Chittenden County, the VMI makes double occupancy hotel rooms available at no cost to the participant. Single rooms are available by request with participants expected to pay half the room rate. In addition, participants engage in a series of classroom visitations by their VMI mentor and may also be required to attend online discussion forums, tutorial sessions, and topic specific seminars.
More information can be found by completing the application online, downloading the application packet using the link above, or by contacting VMI’s Director, Kathryn Delay, at [email protected]
Who should apply?
All PreK-12* educators, including classroom teachers, special educators, interventionists, math coaches, and administrators are eligible for the program. Specifically, applicants must be:
- Dedicated to enhancing mathematics teaching and learning for all students.
- Enthusiastic about increasing their mathematics content knowledge in a supportive environment.
- Willing to share their increased knowledge of mathematics content and effective teaching with their colleagues through mentoring, peer coaching or other forms of professional development.
- Interested in supporting the development and implementation of their school’s mathematics curriculum as well as their school’s mathematics goals.
- Committed to serving as mathematics teacher leaders in their schools and to the appropriate use of local assessment results to improve instruction.
Please note many VMI assignments and projects require participants to incorporate new learning into their teaching, reflect on the effectiveness of their instruction, and modify approaches. Thus, all participants need ongoing opportunities to work directly with students in mathematics classes throughout their VMI experience.
*Each year a limited number of high school teachers are admitted to the program. Interested high school teachers should contact Kathryn Delay ([email protected]) or Susan Ojala ([email protected]) to discuss details.
What are some of the benefits to schools that participate in the VMI?
In addition to coursework in mathematics content, pedagogy and leadership, the VMI provides support for participants in their schools. Throughout the program, VMI participants:
- Receive ongoing support from a VMI mentor who will help one transfer new and growing understandings to classroom instruction. In addition, the VMI mentor supports teacher leadership initiatives and provides advice and guidance for the research aspect of the program. Through regular contact, both in person and online, the VMI mentor offers a professional relationship that enables the participant to maximize the VMI experience.
- Have immediate access to increased mathematics content expertise through the VMI staff, which includes mathematicians, mathematics educators, and master elementary and middle level teachers experienced in professional development.
- Receive ongoing professional development for enhancing their teaching effectiveness and for preparing to take on expanded leadership roles in their schools or districts.
- Have opportunities to form partnerships with VMI staff and other participants resulting in the continuous improvement of learning opportunities for students and support for the school or district mathematics goals.
