Polk State Education Program to hold open house-style events on both campuses this fall

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

The Polk State College Education Program will offer a “TEACH Night” on each campus during the Fall 2024 Semester.

The events will allow those interested to receive more information about the program. The first of the two sessions will be held on the Lakeland Campus in room LTB 1100 on Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m. The event on the Winter Haven Campus, which began offering the program this semester, takes place on Oct. 17 in WST 126 at the same time.

The Education Program offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. It also offers an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education and Management as well as Preschool, Para, and Polk County School District Career Educator Pathways (CEP) certificates.

Polk State Education has developed its built-in measurements for state-mandated standards in collaboration with Polk County Public Schools, Polk County’s largest employer. More than 167 graduates from the Polk State Education Program are currently teaching in nearly 60 Polk County Public Schools. Others are in private schools, other districts, or out of state.

The Education baccalaureate program’s graduates boast a 100% pass rate on the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE). To give students a workforce advantage, Polk State provides English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM); Exceptional Student Education (ESE); and Reading K-12 Endorsement competencies within its curriculum.

For 2024, three graduates – Tracy Garcia (Valleyview Elementary School), Heather Kunze (Floral Avenue Elementary), and Ashley Ray (Palmetto Elementary School) – were named Teacher of the Year at their schools. Current student Julia Barnett was also recognized as School-Related Employee of the Year at Carlton Palmore Elementary in Lakeland.

Students and prospective students who are interested in the Polk State Education Program are encouraged to attend. More information is available by emailing educationbachelors@polk.edu and visiting polk.edu/education.