IRCC EDUCATOR PREPARATION INSTITUTE GRADUATES FIRST CLASS
Implementing solutions to the critical teacher shortage, Indian River Community College will recognize its first graduating class of the Educator Preparation Institute (EPI), an accelerated teacher certification program for those who hold a Bachelor's degree in a field other than teaching on Thursday, November 9 at 4:30 p.m. in the Kight Center for Emerging Technologies, Room V110, off 35 th Street at the IRCC Main Campus in Fort Pierce.
Following completion of several courses, EPI students are able to teach with temporary certification while they prepare for permanent teaching certification. One hundred eighty seven IRCC students participating in the EPI have been placed in teaching positions around the Treasure Coast. Upon completion of IRCC's EPI curriculum and successfully passing the Florida Teacher Certification Exam, they receive permanent professional certification.
The IRCC Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) has proved so successful it is being used as a prototype program around the state. Recently the EPI was honored with the Innovation Teacher Education award by the Southeastern Regional Association of Teacher Educators.
The following 31 students who have completed all requirements and obtained permanent certificates will be graduating during the EPI ceremony:
St. Lucie County
Firas Abuzayda - Port St. Lucie
William Annis - Fort Pierce
Margaret Bonner - Port St. Lucie
Jill Bond - Fort Pierce
Diane Buchholz - Port St. Lucie
Christine Carpenter-Forget - Fort Pierce
William Condon - Fort Pierce
Lisa Dietderich - Port St. Lucie
William Goldsby - Port St. Lucie
Lucille Hayden - Fort Pierce
Christine King - Fort Pierce
Allison Nega - Fort Pierce
Susan Nelson - Port St. Lucie
Bobby Nehru - Port St. Lucie
Barbara O'Hara - Port St. Lucie
Gordon Phail - Fort Pierce
Jamie Pirela - Port St. Lucie
Ellen Weiss - Port St. Lucie
Tommy White - Port St. Lucie
Rosalyn Wilson-Dampier - Fort Pierce
Indian River County
Rhonda Bourlotos - Sebastian
Richard Flesher - Sebastian
Bernadette Healy - Vero Beach
Marta Morris - Vero Beach
Karen Rodriquez - Vero Beach
Martin County
Steve Aresi - Jensen Beach
Deborah Cairnes - Hobe Sound
Rachel Luhta - Palm City
Christopher Saieg - Stuart
Other graduates include Linda Gruca of Clermont, Florida and Todd Wyks of Japan. To find out more about the Educator Preparation Institute, contact Gale Patterson toll-free at 1-866-866-7508 or email to
lcoughli@ircc.edu.
MEDIA ADVISORY:
Educator Preparation Institute Graduation Ceremony
Thursday, November 9 at 4:30 p.m. Kight Center for Emerging Technologies - Center for Academic Innovation - IRCC Main Campus
On-site Contact: Michelle Abaldo & Dr. Henri Sue Bynum