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Panhandle Area Educational Consortium & ABCTE Partner to Recruit Teachers and Host ‘Become a Teacher’ Information Sessions

Florida (May 12, 2006) — The Panhandle Area Educational Consortium (PAEC) and the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) will hold “Become a Teacher” information sessions for individuals who want to become teachers in Florida, May 23, 25 and 26, 2006 in Wakulla, Walton and Washington Counties.

At the sessions, attendees can meet with PAEC representatives and ABCTE certification counselors to discuss how they can earn their teacher certification.  ABCTE offers the Passport to Teaching certification, a respected, cost-effective and time-efficient process that is recognized by the state of Florida as a route to full state certification.  

Individuals can prepare for certification on their own time and at their own pace, using preparation materials available from a variety of sources. No additional college courses are required unless the certification candidate chooses to participate in them for preparation purposes.  

ABCTE Certifications

Math (6-12)
General Science (6-12)
Biology (6-12)
Physics (6-12)
Chemistry (6-12)
English (6-12)
Elementary education (K-6)
Special education (K-6)
Reading endorsement (K-6)
*Reading endorsement is for certified elementary teachers

Consisting of fourteen member school districts and an additional eight participating districts, PAEC works to help all attain their goals, including teacher recruitment.  Florida’s school districts are facing critical teacher shortages next year, all together needing 32,000 new teachers.  

“There is a wealth of talent and experience in our communities we’d like to get into our classrooms.  Retired business leaders, professionals who have made their careers and who now want to make a difference in the lives of students and our future.  These workshops will provide the information they need to make the transition to teaching, and, therefore, help us with the looming teacher shortage,” said Paula Lovett Waller, PAEC executive director.

The events are coordinated in conjuncture with ABCTE’s new initiative to recruit 5,000 math and science teachers across the country by May 2009.  The initiative aims to meet highly qualified teacher requirements and answer President Bush’s call for math and science professionals to pursue teaching in America’s classrooms.  With new certifications in chemistry and physics in addition to current certifications in math, general science, and biology, ABCTE is recruiting teachers for the some of the highest need subject areas.  

Classrooms are facing unprecedented shortages in math and science. According to the National Science Board, America’s classrooms need 240,000 math and science teachers over the next decade.

The information sessions will take place at the following locations:
May 23
5, 6 & 7 p.m.
Wakulla High School
3237 Coastal Hwy
Crawfordville, FL 32327

May 25
5, 6 & 7 p.m.
Freeport High School
12615 US Hwy 331 South
Freeport, FL 32439
May 26
5, 6 & 7 p.m.
P.A.E.C.
735 West Blvd.
Chipley, FL 32428

Individuals can pre-register to attend the events at www.abcte.org/events or call 1-877-669-2228 for more information.