Education

• Associate of Arts degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all postsecondary coursework.
• Proof of passing scores for at least 2 of the 4 subtests for the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) General Knowledge Test (GKT)
• Grade of "C" or better in EDF 2005 (or EDF 1005).
• District background check for volunteers (please contact the Elementary Education department for information). Students must pass the criminal background check and may also be subject to a drug screening. Please see Florida Statute 1012.315 for details regarding disqualifying offenses. Please note, the offenses may prevent program completion and future employment in the field of education.

• If applicable, must meet employment standards for becoming a paraprofessional at Orange County Public Schools or the School District of Osceola County.
• Must pass a criminal background check per Florida Statute 1012.56.
• Orange County Public Schools additions Volunteer/Intern/Field Experience background screening requirements

• School District of Osceola County OASIS Volunteer/Intern/Field Experience background screening requirements

A teacher apprentice is a student who is simultaneously appointed as a paraprofessional within an eligible school district and enrolled as a student in a state-approved initial teacher preparation program with the goal of graduating with a Bachelor’s in education and becoming a Florida certified teacher.

The teacher apprentice must commit to spending the first two years in the classroom of a teacher apprentice mentor teacher using team teaching strategies. In addition, the teacher apprentice must:

• Fulfill the on-the-job training component of the registered apprenticeship program;
• Be appointed as an education paraprofessional;
• Be paid in accordance with s. 446.032, F.S., and rules adopted by the State Board of Education; and
• Must receive related instruction toward the baccalaureate degree that prepares apprentices for the professional educator license.

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements for admission to the B.S. in Elementary Education program, prospective teacher apprentices must also have:

• Earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in their associate degree program.
• Received a temporary apprenticeship certificate.

• Prospective teacher apprentices must first be admitted to Valencia’s B.S. in Elementary Education before being admitted to the Teacher Apprenticeship Program.
• Teacher apprentices will be employed as a paraprofessional in either Orange County Public Schools or the School District of Osceola County and paired with a highly effective teacher of record who serves as the teacher apprentice mentor and has met state requirements.
• Valencia College serves as a Related Instruction Provider. Teacher apprentices will complete the 60 credit hours required for the bachelor’s degree program through a combination of traditional coursework and competency-based on-the-job training.
• By statute, teacher apprentices are paid by their employer school district and are not responsible for tuition and fees (Section 1009.25(1)(b), Florida Statutes).

Students will complete at least 60 credit hours of coursework as a part of the bachelor’s degree program. The Valencia College catalog describes the degree program requirements.

Students may be awarded credit for competency-based on-the-job training. The specific courses eligible for award of credit are under development.