The Role of Educator Preparation Institutes

Educator preparation institutes are specialized teacher training programs that may be offered at any accredited Florida community college, university or private college. They offer instruction for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher to become professionally certified teachers in Florida.

Did You Know?

Typical Teach First Coast applicants include adults making a career change, recent college graduates with a non-education major, and military and others who have completed another career.

Reaching a Decision

Are you contemplating teaching? Need help deciding? We have a brief summary of what you should think about.

Employment Outlook

Additional teachers will be needed in the future to keep pace with a growing student population. The current recession has had some impact on school hiring, but this situation won’t likely last as baby boomers retire and new teachers are needed to replace them.

Teach First Coast

An Educator Preparation Institute

Teach First Coast prepares participants to become highly effective pre-kindergarten to 12th grade teachers for public, charter and private schools. Adults with a bachelor’s degree in a non-education major receive an affordable, convenient and evidenced-based instruction to learn to teach and prepare to take the Professional Education Exam. Participants will also demonstrate general knowledge and subject area competence by exam. Graduates earn the Professional Educator Certificate from the Florida Department of Education upon successful completion of all program requirements. Collaboration with school districts strengthens the program and strives to improve the quality of education of children in the community.

Considering Teaching?

Do you believe that all children can learn and deserve the opportunity to do so? If you have the passion, energy and temperament for teaching, consider this program. Need help deciding? Take an online career decision-making quiz, volunteer with youth, observe teachers in the classroom or talk to people in the profession.

Teach First Coast provides an opportunity for mid-career changers, recent college graduates and others with a non-education bachelor’s degree to earn the Florida Professional Certificate and to gain the knowledge and confidence needed to enter the classroom. Some common reasons people give for wanting to teach include the opportunity to give back to society, a desire to find more meaningful work, the chance to provide a positive role model to youth and the ability to bring expertise from another career.

Schools Need Highly Effective Teachers!

Program participants must prepare on their own to pass the subject area and general knowledge exams. A free test information guide and subject area exam information is available from the FTCE/FELE website.

Program participants are encouraged to match what they teach with their skills, knowledge and interests. You will be required to pass the exam in the subject you choose prior to being accepted to Teach First Coast. For more information to help you decide which subject to teach, contact the Teach First Coast advisor.

Public schools typically have a shortage of science and math teachers, as well as other select subject areas. Speak to school officials to learn the current hiring needs. Our urban schools continuously need dedicated role models with strong teaching expertise. Certification options are available on the Florida Department of Education website. Please note that public schools aren’t necessarily hiring teachers who are certified in some subject areas that are included on the list.

Teach First Coast does not accept participants preparing to teach reading or pre-kindergarten/primary programs.

This is a gainful employment program. Gainful employment programs include only training programs of at least one academic year that lead to a certificate and credentialed non-degree programs (credit programs requiring 30 or fewer credit hours and clock hour programs requiring 600 or more contact hours). These programs prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. Visit the Gainful Employment page for gainful employment programs’ placement and on-time completion rates, median loan amounts, SOC codes and estimated program costs.