Dear Principal:
Greetings from Broward’s Teaching and Leadership Center (TLC) located at Davie’s Florida Atlantic University Campus. This is to inform you that the TLC is currently running two programs that offer Alternative Certification (ACE) teachers education courses tuition-free.
The TLC, a department of the Broward County schools, has developed two programs for qualifying ACE teachers, Project PROMISE and IMPACT. These state-approved programs leading to teacher certification are funded through federal Transition-to-Teaching grants and are offered in affiliation with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Project PROMISE is a university-based program open to ACE teachers in high-needs school or critical subject areas (i.e. Science, Social Science, etc.) in which participants take education courses. IMPACT is a district competency-based program taught through face to face professional development, on-line learning communities, and observations delivered by the TLC.
It is very possible that you have or have had one or more Alternative Certification Educators (ACE) on your teaching staff. ACE teachers enter the profession from various fields of study and with degrees other than education. In turn, they must fulfill specified educational requirements within three years of teaching in order to attain professional certification in the state of Florida. Please encourage your new ACE teachers to take advantage of our programs to help them meet these requirements.
TLC’s research-based programs provide coaching, mentoring and classroom support through the assignment of a Teacher Coach. As retired Broward County teachers and/or administrators, our Teacher Coaches share a wealth of experience and nurturing qualities that enable new educators to reach their full potential. The coaches are trained in Broward’s Effective Schools Program and furnish useful and practical tips, advice, strategies, and suggestions that relate directly to classroom activities to propel students towards academic achievement.
It is undeniable that the first several years of teaching may be stressful, yet research shows that they are the most important in terms of teacher preparation. New educator support is central for achieving and improving student learning gains. It is our hope that our Teacher Coaches will be working with your new educators to further learning and achievement at your school, and that your ACE teachers will apply for our programs.
Please feel free to contact our office with any further questions and concerns.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Fowler
954-236-1033 (Office)
