EDF: Educ- Foundation & Policy

INTRODUCTION TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION This course provides an overview of Florida’s educator certification pathways and career options in education in accordance with Florida Statutes. Topics include: key educational philosophies; professional ethics; legal responsibilities, including mandatory reporting for child abuse and neglect; the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAP); key instructional practices associated with effective teaching of students with exceptionalities; Florida’s state academic standards; and historical, legal and financial foundations of the Florida education systems. Students will explore effective teaching strategies in classroom management, educational technology and the foundations of all student learning needs. Includes a minimum of 15 hours of required clinical experience in a variety of school settings.

TEACHING AND LEARNING THEORY Prerequisite: Admission to the BS in Elementary Education or admission to the EPI program or department approval. This course provides Florida Educator Accomplished Practices-aligned knowledge and skills for teachers and prospective teachers to examine a variety of teaching and learning theories with topics including educational psychology, human development, curriculum, data uses, teaching and learning theories, motivation, and a variety of learners.

CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS Critical examination of developmental stages and characteristics of individuals from infancy through adolescence with application to learners in educational settings.

ART AND WELLNESS IN THE ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM Provides the prospective teacher with knowledge, skills, and the dispositions to integrate arts and wellness into the elementary classroom curriculum.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES Prerequisite: Admission to the BS in Elementary Education or admission to the EPI program or department approval.  This course provides Florida Educator Accomplished Practices-aligned knowledge and skills for teachers and prospective teachers to examine the concepts and competencies related to planning, organizing and implementing instructional strategies, and develop ongoing assessments that are responsive to the needs of all learners.

CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS: LEGAL, ETHICAL, AND SAFETY CONCERNS This course will explore the role of education in children's lives through the analysis of legal, ethical, and safety concerns.

MEASUREMENT, EVALUATION, AND ASSESSMENT IN EDUCATION Prerequisite: Hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 from a regionally accredited college or university; possess a valid and current Statement of Status of Eligibility or Temporary Teaching Certificate from the Florida Department of Education stating they are eligible to teach; apply and be accepted first at Valencia College and then the EPI Program; or receive department approval. Knowledge and skills for teachers and prospective teachers to identify and administer educational assessment practices that include analysis and application of data from statewide standardized assessments, use a systematic problem-solving process to analyze assessment data, inform content instruction, and meet the needs of a variety of K-12 learners.

SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION Prerequisite: Admission to the BS in Elementary Education or admission to the EPI program or department approval. This course provides Florida Educator Accomplished Practices-aligned knowledge and skills for teachers and prospective teachers to examine education and American public schools through the lenses of sociology and history.

CLINICAL FIELD EXPERIENCE IN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION Prerequisite: Admission to Educator Preparation Institute Program, and EDG 2413, EDF 2051, RED 3042, EDF 2291, RED 3551, EDF 3609, and EEX 3084 Clinical field experience, for teachers with a temporary certificate or prospective teachers, in a PK-12 classroom with a minimum 60-hours in a public, charter, or accredited private school which includes teaching demonstrations, analysis, and reflections on candidates’ current teaching related to the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs). The course is reserved for those candidates seeking alternative professional certification in Florida.