Return to PCC homepage

The EPI program at Polk Community is a combination of face-2-face and Internet.  The face-2-face classes meet two times a month from 8:00 - 1:00p.m. See cohort schedule below. The supplemental Internet components consist of tasks/assignments based on Florida Educator Accomplished Practices, meaningful Internet discussions related to readings/assignments, an Online Portfolio Guide, News/information, grades, a dropbox for submitting tasks/assignments and e-mail.

EPI Course Descriptions

EPI Courses and Cost

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files. The Reader is a free program and can be downloaded, if you do not already have it, at Adobe's web site by following this link to the Adobe website and then follow the instructions given by Adobe.

Teachers and Non-Teachers  Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) has cohort groups beginning at different locations and dates during the year.  Check the schedule below: Cohort Classes: Fall 20091 New Cohort Groups: September and October start dates (RTF Document) Fall 20091 New Cohort Groups: September and October start dates (PDF Document) Cohort classes continuing fall 20091 schedule  (RTF Document) Cohort classes continuing fall 20091 schedule (PDF Document) Ridge Community High 20091 schedule Spring 20092 Continuing classes       from fall term - Online registration begins November 3rd - In person registration begins November 10th Spring 20092 New classes Online registration begins November 3rd - In person registration begins November 10th Enrollment Process: A-Z Educational Plan Checklist  Checklist from Beginning to End of EPI program New Student Orientation: Mandatory that EPI participants attend one time upon enrolling in the EPI program at PCC WH campus, WST 127, 5:30pm - 7:00pm Next New Student Orientation Date: February 3, 2009 Resources: Department of Education Certification, District Information, and FTCE Florida Teacher Certification Exams Information

Contact Information:
Educator Preparation Institute
Polk Community College
999 Ave. H. N.E.
Station #25
Winter Haven, Fl 33881

Beverly Woolery bwoolery@polk.edu or phone (863) 292-3642

Sherri Davis sherrid@polk.edu or Phone (863) 298-6812

EPI Fax: (863) 298-6814

Student Services: Contact Student Services for registration issues and concerns at 297-1010 Ext. 5219 or Ext. 5016
 

Welcome to the Educator Preparation Institute
           (EPI) website

Town Meetings - Interested in becoming a teacher in Polk County? Join the Polk County School Board and Polk Community College for its series of "Town Meetings" from 6:00 - 7:30pm!
Dates:
1. 12/11/08 - Ridge Community High School
2. 6/18/09 - Lakeland/Highlands Grove Elementary

English for Speakers of other Languages ESOL Practice Test Workshop Registration Form: This workshop starting January 6, 2009 will help prepare individuals for the ESOL Subject area test. Chane Eplin, Director of ESOL at the Polk School District will be the instructor.

General Knowledge Practice Test Workshop Registration Form: This workshop starting January 13, 2009 will help prepare individuals for the FTCE General Knowledge test. 

EPI General Information:
Polk Community College has partnered with the Polk County School District to offer two types of EPI accelerated training programs in the fall.

1. Newly Hired Professional (Teachers) who  have a four-year degree and did not major in education.

2. Professionals (Non-Teachers) who have a four-year degree and did not major in education and are not currently teaching.

This program will satisfy professional preparation and professional education competence for the Florida Professional Certificate. Through the Institute, people with bachelor's degrees and teaching aspirations can receive teacher certification designed to give them the skills they need to become  highly qualified teachers in a fraction of the time required for a traditional education degree. Applicant priority will be given to students interested in teaching high-need subject areas and specializations.

Before program completion participants must pass the Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE) which includes: Subject Area Test, Professional Ed test and General Knowledge Test.

Participant will receive EPI Certificate after program completion which will include:
1. 60 ESOL in-service hours for Empowerment 
2. 60 ESOL in-service points for Cross Cultural Communication
3. Reading Endorsement Competency 2
 
* ESOL in-service points are for Polk County ONLY

Online Portfolio Guide for Participants and Instructors

Instructions for Using PAL (Polk Access to Learning)

Polk Access to Learning (PAL) - EPI Online Course Website

Financial Aid: Financial Aid (Pell Grant).