The EPI program at Polk Community is a hybrid model which is a combination of face-2-face and Internet.  The face-2-face classes meet two times a month from 8:00 - 1:00pm.  The remainder of the class consist of task/assignments based on the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices and Internet discussions related to meaningful dialogue concerning readings/assignments.

EPI Course Descriptions

EPI Courses and Cost

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For Teachers and Non-Teachers  Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) has cohort groups beginning at different locations and dates during the year.  Check the schedule below. Schedule 20082 Spring (Word Document) Schedule 20082 Spring (PDF Document) Schedule 20083 Summer (Word Document) Schedule 20083 Summer (PDF Document) Teacher and Non-Teacher Checklist for Program Completion from Beginning to End (Microsoft Office Word document) Teacher and Non-Teacher Checklist for Program Completion (PDF Document) New Student Orientation - Mandatory for EPI participants to attend one time upon enrolling in the EPI program - first Tuesday of the month - PCC/WH campus, WST 127 from 6:00-8:00pm Dates - Tuesday, May 6 Tuesday, June 3 Tuesday, September 5 Resources: Department of Education Certification, District Information, and FTCE Florida Teacher Certification Exams Information

Contact Information:

EPI Office
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

Annette Fuller Afuller@polk.edu or Phone (863) 297 1010 Ext. 5579

EPI Fax: (863) 298-6814

Financial Aid Office: (863) 297-1004

Welcome to the Educator Preparation Institute (EPI)              web site

Town Meeting for Information about the Educator Preparation Institute and Polk County School District hiring process will be held:

June 19, 2008 - 6:00-7:30pm - 
Highland Grove Elementary, Highland City                    

Financial Aid: Financial Aid (Pell Grant) is now available to qualifying participants.  Contact the Financial Aid office at (863) 297-1004 for information.

Polk Community College is partnering with the Polk County School District to offer two types of EPI accelerated training programs in the fall.

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

2. Professionals (Non-Teachers) that have a four-year degree that 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 a highly qualified teacher 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. High need areas in Polk County are math, science, reading, ESE, ESOL and Elementary Education.

Before program completion participants will pass the FTCE test which includes Subject Area Test, Professional Ed test and General Knowledge Test.

Participant will receive EPI Certificate after program completion which will include equivalent of 60 ESOL Inservice hours for Empowerment and 60 ESOL Inservice points for Cross Cultural Communication.  (Polk County School District only)  Other districts may or may not honor the endorsement.  All participants will receive Reading Endorsement Competency 2.

Instructions for Using PAL (Polk Access to Learning)

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

Polk Community College Web Site

Online Portfolio Guide for Participants and Instructors