The Teacher Accelerator Program, a Miami-based non-profit organization that trains aspiring educators to become teachers, is expanding to Miami Dade College and is open for enrollment until Jan. 26.
At MDC, TAP will offer a three-credit course (EPI 004), which costs approximately $354, followed by a paid six-week summer internship through Achieve Miami or Teach For America Miami-Dade where they can earn $5,000.
Participants will learn about topics such as: educational philosophies and how to apply them in a K-12 setting, instructional techniques, and methods to assess the effectiveness of their teaching.
Students will also complete 10 clinical hours in a school to learn from experienced professionals and conduct classroom observations.
Upon completion of the course, students have the option of continuing with MDC’s Educator Preparation Institute (EPI), a 10-month-long program that consists of seven courses (21 credits) and allows people with a bachelor’s degree in any field to become certified teachers.
Alternatively, students can continue working with TAP and the school district as they pursue their teaching certifications.
The Teacher’s Accelerator Program covers the costs of the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations, background-checks and fingerprinting. It also provides students with ongoing mentorship during their first year of teaching and employment in a Miami-Dade County Public School.
Classes will be held in a hybrid format—in-person instruction will be held at the Eduardo J. Padrón Campus, 627 S.W. 27th Ave. Students can opt to take class on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. or Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Applicants must be students who are currently in the last semester of their bachelor’s degree or people looking to change careers who hold at least a four-year degree. No specific major is required.
Financial aid is available for students who show proof of financial need. Classes begin on Saturday, Feb. 3 and Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Visit this link to apply: https://bit.ly/3N6A83Q.
For more information, visit the program’s website at https://teacheraccelerator.org or contact Carmen Concepcion at cconcep1@mdc.edu.
