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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. 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

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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 Enrollment Process: Enrollment from A-Z  Checklist from Beginning to End (Microsoft Office Word) Enrollment from A-Z  Checklist from Beginning to End (PDF Document) New Student Orientation: Mandatory that EPI participants attend one time upon enrolling in the EPI program on the first Tuesday of the month at PCC WH campus, WST 127, 5:30pm - 7:00pm Dates: Tuesday, August 5 Tuesday, September 2 Tuesday, October 7 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

Welcome to the Educator Preparation Institute
           (EPI) website

Kagan Cooperative Learning Workshop Registration Form: Kagan Structures for Cooperative Learning and Active Engagement workshop will be held on the PCC Lakeland Campus, December 6, 2008.

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

Student Services: Contact Student Services for registration issues and concerns at 297-1010 Ext. 5219 or Ext. 5016
 
Financial Aid: Financial Aid (Pell Grant). Contact the Financial Aid office at (863) 297-1004 for information.