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UPDATE
Educator Preparation Institute ( EPI ) Addresses Teacher Shortage
The Educator Preparation Institute ( EPI ) at PHSC provides training to become a certified Florida P-12 teacher . It is 100 % online and students can be certified in less than one year . This is an exciting opportunity to begin working toward a new career to become certified for teaching .
Ursula Landsman is an EPI graduate and has had great success following her certification . “ The instructors were very knowledgeable and supportive , and my classmates were wonderful — I learned a lot from them , too — some of them had taught previously and others had taught in other parts of the world . The field experience was invaluable , as well . The program is structured , yet there are many different kinds of assignments and activities . I recommend the EPI program for anyone who has always wanted to teach — no matter where you have been on your career journey .”
The EPI program is perfect for people who already hold a temporary teaching certificate , someone with a bachelor ’ s and / or master ’ s degree and the academic knowledge to teach in a specific area , or people like Ursula who want a career change .
“ Florida continues to experience a heightened teacher shortage which requires highly qualified educators to support the children of our region . Our PHSC EPI Program provides the fundamental and practical certification-based training that addresses this critical need ,” said Stanley M . Giannet , Ph . D ., PHSC executive vice president , chief academic officer , and college provost .
Helping Students in Need
The pandemic brought many challenges to all of us . However , none of our students should be faced with the challenge of not having food or personal hygiene products . This fall , PHSC helped students face one less challenge .
PHSC ’ s Bobcat Pantry is a donation-based service , free to students in need of assistance in having basic needs met . The pantry provides supplemental food and various hygiene products to ensure none of our students go without .
In addition to the pantry service , the PHSC Foundation also provided financial assistance to current students through the Support Our Students ( SOS ) funds and scholarship opportunities . The initiative was a great success , as the PHSC Foundation was proud to disburse all allocated funds available to assist students who were facing financial challenges .
We all need angels from time to time , often to help us through the holidays . The Angel Tree Program initiated by the office of Student Life and Leadership , helps student families by providing gifts for their child or children . Each year , students , faculty , staff , student clubs and organizations participate in the program to assist fellow PHSC students in need by purchasing personalized gifts for Angel Families . More than 150 children were selected and received angel gifts this past holiday season .
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