SJRCC PRESS RELEASE December 2007 SJRCC prepares degree holders for teaching careers St. Johns River Community College recently recognized students for completing the teacher certification program. The Educator Preparation Institute was developed in 2006 to streamline the certification process for non-education bachelor's degree holders. The participants completed the coursework required to earn a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate. Participants are awarded a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate upon completing the EPI courses, passing the Florida Teacher Certification Exam and submitting the required paperwork to the Florida Department of Education. No other coursework is required, and the program can be completed in less than a year - on campus or online. The SJRCC EPI program currently includes more than 151 students. The Clay County graduates are: Kymberly Cothren, Gary Keroack, Tracy Nichols, Kathryn Teel and Glenn Thigpen. The St. Johns County graduates are: Robert Baker, Jennifer Bancroft, Tracy Barrett, Tammy Cimaglia, Mary "Katie" Corrigan, Rene' Harbison and Sherryl Mull. The Putnam County graduates are: Dana Brooks, Kim Perpich and Denise Rogers. The Duval County graduate is: Donna Free. The Volusia County graduate is Maria Kenyon, and the two out of state graduates are Robert Messer and Michael Hatfield. Guest speaker Brian McElhone, principal for South Woods Elementary School in Elkton, reflected upon his own teaching career and told the graduates they could be proud of their accomplishments tonight, but their learning as teachers would continue tomorrow. "Now is the time to take the next step to becoming a teacher. You may think your learning is done; it has just begun," McElhone said. ÒYou will realize the impact you will have on students' lives." In order to participate in the EPI program, applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and possess the disposition suitable for becoming a teacher. An informational orientation will be open to the public Tuesday, February 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Orange Park Campus For more information about SJRCC's EPI program, please call (386) 312-4242 or e-mail opencampus@sjrcc.edu. Return to SJRCC home page.