Educator Preparation Institute (EPI):  Program

SECTION 1: Program Description

The University of North Florida (UNF), College of Education and Human Services (COEHS), has been approved by the Florida Department of Education to provide an Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) as part of the state’s efforts to address critical teacher shortages. The EPI recruits high quality individuals for several areas of teacher certification. UNF’s existing capacity to meet local districts’ needs for highly qualified teachers will be permanently increased through the EPI.

The EPI program offers a ten-month combination of connected instructional modules field experiences, and mentoring. The EPI program is learner-centered, competency based, and focused on developing expertise plus long-term teacher retention through a strong mentoring component. Programmatic components are integrated in ways that provide in-depth instruction and support to career changers as they prepare to become highly qualified, committed teachers. The EPI program addresses the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices, and the professional competency testing requirements. Mastery of competencies is demonstrated in K-12 classroom settings and documented using state-approved formative and summative instrumentation. Mentoring is provided for the duration of the program. EPI completers are awarded a credential from UNF’s College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) confirming completion of state EPI requirements for professional certification and eligibility to apply for a professional teaching certificate.

Curriculum, Competencies, and the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPS)

The EPI curriculum addresses competencies on higher levels of complexity as the program proceeds. Six integrated instructional modules, plus the Just Read, Florida’s FOR-PD course, address the statewide EPI curriculum and the FEAPS, and provide instruction in professional knowledge, reading strategies, and exceptional student education (ESE).

The EPI is delivered using a blend of site-based and web-based methods. A central element of the competency-based curriculum provides you with practical information, blended with essential theory and real-life practice, to provide the knowledge and skills that you will need to be a successful classroom teacher.

EPI Instructional Modules

• EPI 001 The Instructional Process: Classroom Management & Assessment
• EPI 002 The Instructional Process: Instructional Strategies
• EPI 003 The Instructional Process: The Teaching and Learning Process
• EPI 004 The Teaching Profession: Professional Foundations
• EPI 005 The Instructional Process: Diversity in the Classroom
• EPI 006 The Instructional Process: Technology
• EPI 007 FOR-PD: Florida On Line Reading Course

FOR-PD: Florida On Line Reading Course: Competency 2 is free through the FDOE.

FOR-PD: Participants will be guided and supported as they complete this requirement of the EPI. The registration link: http://forpd.ucf.edu/register/register.html. 

Field Experiences

The University of North Florida (UNF) has a well-established partnership with regional school districts. EPI participants fulfill field experience requirements within the context of their classrooms. School-based support teams mentor them and principals confirm mastery of field-based competencies in seamless collaboration with the EPI. This design feature provides efficient and effective linkages between EPI instructional modules and classroom experience.

EPI participants who are NOT employed as teachers, are referred to as Resident Teacher Candidates (RTC). RTCs will be required to complete 60 classroom-based hours and 20 community-based hours to satisfy their field component. The EPI Director will arrange placement for RTCs in an EPI Alliance School.

Student Assessment Methodologies

Mastery of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPS) and related competencies, will be evaluated by the instructional team and a school administrator or designee. Both formative and summative assessments will be used. Authentic assessment tasks will be imbedded in both instructional modules and field experiences. EPI participants will organize their performance artifacts and evaluation rubrics in individual EPI portfolios as evidence of mastery of the FEAP’s for the Florida Department of Education.

 EPI Completion and Beyond

EPI completers will receive a credential of EPI completion. This credential confirms completion of the state’s Professional Education Competencies requirements for professional certification and eligibility to apply to the FDOE for a professional teaching certificate.

Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE)

EPI participants must take the three subtests (General Knowledge, Subject Area, and Professional Test) of the FTCE prior to or during the EPI program. The EPI will provide preparation for the Professional Test. Testing dates can be obtained by calling 1-413-256-2893.

Like More Information?

Contact:
Betty Bennett, EPI Director
University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Tel: 904-620-1823, Fax: 904-620-1619, bbennett@unf.edu