Educator Preparation Institute

Be the apple of a child's eye. Become a Florida teacher!

If you have a bachelor's degree and need an efficient and effective means to become a Florida certified teacher, then the TCC Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) may be right for you.

Teaching requires more than just caring about children and knowing one's subject area. Teachers today need to know what motivates students and be able to employ various instructional strategies so all children have an opportunity to learn. Teaching is about creating an effective and nurturing learning environment.

The EPI is an intensive competency-based program designed for people with a baccalaureate degree (in a subject other than education) who want to become a professionally certified Florida teacher. The EPI offers a seven course program (21 credits) that can be completed in as few as two semesters. The program adheres to rigorous standards that include a field experience in which EPI students teach their subject in a K - 12 classroom.

EPI students are required to demonstrate mastery of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs), create an online E-Portfolio and exhibit the dispositions to be an effective teacher. Students are also required to pass the same Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCEs) taken by students of traditional teacher education programs. Graduates of the EPI program receive a Certificate of Completion and are eligible to apply for a Professional Teaching Certificate.

Because TCC is responding to the specific needs in Gadsden, Leon and Wakulla counties, priority will be given to individuals with undergraduate and graduate degrees in math, science, and English who want to teach in their field.

Eligible applicants must pass a sexual predator clearance, a background and fingerprint check, and have earned a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.5 overall GPA in their field of study.