Information for students ACCEPTED into the Teacher Certification Program.
Congratulations! You have been accepted to the Teacher Certification Program (TCP) at Palm Beach State College. This TCP overview contains key points that will help you begin to navigate your way through the certification and program completion process. Please see the "Contact Us" title on the right for support and assistance with any of your questions and concerns along the way.
Educational Plan
- Before you get started, review your educational planning sheet to determine your course selection.
- Log on to your PantherWeb to utilize the educational planning tools available to you. This will keep you on track each term. You may also want to include notes by each term to remind you of any FTCE exams you may need to take, teaching demonstration to schedule, or exit checklist to review.
Registration
- Students must register through the PantherWeb system each semester for EPI courses, FTCE test prep workshops, or any professional development courses. Notification of open registration dates for each semester will be sent to each student's Palm Beach State College email account prior to the start of each registration period. Please be aware that all Teacher Certification Program courses are Hybrid courses. Please read below for detailed information regarding Hybrid courses.
- You may search for classes. You can simply type: EPI in the course ID box and click "search now" to find a listing of all available EPI coursework. *Remember to choose the term before you begin your search.
- During your entrance interview, you will be given a detailed Registration Instructions handout to assist you in this process.
Hybrid Courses
Hybrid courses combine classroom meetings and online course content delivery (instructional student activities). The instructor has selected Blackboard to incorporate lectures, discussions, and various other online instructional activities into their curriculum substituting several classroom meetings. Please check the Syllabus for specific in-class meeting days/times.
Payment of Classes
Once you register for your classes, please pay close attention to the payment due date as students will be dropped for non-payment. Payment arrangements can be made in the cashier's office.
Financial aid is available to students who qualify. Veronica Wood is the contact person for Teacher Certification students.
Veronica Wood, Financial Aid Advisor Phone: (561) 868-3385
Email: woodv@palmbeachstate.edu Office: CS 115
Textbooks for EPI courses
Teacher Certification Program students can participate in the Textbook Borrowing Program through the Palm Beach State College library system. You will be able to check-out the textbook for the term or sub-term you will be taking the course and will be responsible for the returning it on its due date and in good condition.
You MUST have your schedule with you showing that your courses have been paid BEFORE checking out the textbooks from the Lake Worth library. For more information about this option, please contact our office.
FEAPS & Portfolios
The Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs) have been adopted by the Florida State Board of Education to specify what teachers should know and be able to do at the different stages of their career. There are six Florida Educators Accomplished Practices in which you must demonstrate competency in order to become a teacher in the state of Florida. Candidates will prove their competency of the six FEAPs through the completion of assignments (artifacts) that are designed to help you develop these skills and show competency. Your professors will be evaluating your progress on the FEAPs as you go through each course.
Each TCP candidate will develop a portfolio which is a tool for documenting and assessing your achievement in the six FEAPs. The portfolio is made up of artifacts (assignments) that are completed and evaluated in each of the EPI courses. Artifacts can be reflection papers, lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations, etc. The TCP Program Director will evaluate your portfolio and determine if you have demonstrated competency in each of the six FEAPs to complete the program and be recommended for Professional Certification.
Student ID Card
All students are encouraged to obtain a PantherCard, the College photo identification card, by visiting their campus bookstore. The PantherCard is required to use tutoring labs, check-out library books or textbooks, use the campus wireless network and to utilize other campus services. Certain programs may require students to wear (display) their PantherCard when in class or attending training provided by the College at an off-site location. In order to obtain a PantherCard present your current term schedule along with a valid photo ID to your campus bookstore. Your PantherCard is valid as long as you maintain current enrollment.
Vehicle Registration and Parking Decal
Students driving a motor vehicle on campus must obtain a parking decal. The parking decal fee is included in the access fee. The fee allows for the issuance of one decal to each student upon request. Your request for a decal can be made at the Lake Worth and Palm Beach Gardens Security Offices. At Boca Raton and Belle Glade, requests for decals can be made at the Cashier's Offices. Annual decals expire at the end of each summer term. Replacement decals and additional decals can be purchased for a fee of $5.00 per decal. *You MUST have your class schedule, vehicle registration and a valid PantherCard in order to be issued a parking decal.
Professional Development
ITE Professional Development courses are open to all persons wishing to continue their education or to obtain additional credentials supporting them while striving to be the best teachers in Palm Beach County. This includes, but is not limited to:
- FTCE Review Courses
- Portfolio and Artifact Video- FREE
- Lesson Planning Video - FREE
- Resume Writing and Interviewing Techniques for Educators - FREE
- Continuing Education (CCE) Special Topics Courses
- Endorsement/Certification Courses
- ESOL Compliance Courses
- ESE Courses - Coming soon!
- Reading Competency Courses
- Career and Technical Education Certification Courses
- Substitute Teacher Academy (including the required Palm Beach County Schools orientation course)
- Recertification Renewal Courses
We encourage all of our TCP candidates to take advantage of the professional development opportunities while enrolled in the program.
ITE Newsletter
Each month the Institute of Teacher Education sends out an electronic newsletter containing important program information and opportunities available to students. We encourage all students to read the newsletter and familiarize themselves with the support services and information to stay on track and up to date. You can also access the newsletters by visiting Newsletter link on the left.
Final Words of Encouragement
During your entrance interview you are given an overwhelming amount of information covering the entire program requirements and support services, courses, and tools that are available to you. We encourage you to contact us with questions and/or concerns as you begin your journey. We are here to help and support you through your certification process and hope to get you off to a great start.
Thank you for choosing Palm Beach State College. * * * www.palmbeachstate.edu/programs/TeacherEd
