English Education Proteach Program
"Be great in act, as you have been in thought." Shakespeare
English Education faculty work to help future teachers develop understandings of students, of the complexity of the discipline, and of the contextualized nature of learning so that they can make sound instructional choices to help students grow in literacy and in understandings of self and society. To achieve these goals we provide a constellation of carefully crafted courses and a series of sequenced, varied, and supervised field experiences in secondary schools.
English Proteach begins each fall and concludes at the end of Summer A. It is an NCATE and Florida Department of Education approved program. Graduates earn a Master of Education degree from UF and are eligible for a Florida Professional Certificate and for ESOL Endorsement. Students also complete state-required reading competencies 1 and 2. To enter the program students need a B.A. in English or significant course work in literature, writing, and oral communication.
Graduation Requirements include all requirements of the UF Graduate School (36 or more of graduate credit and a minimum GPA of 3.0) plus certification requirements of the Florida Department of Education: (1) successful completion of Florida Teacher Certification Exams, (2) competence in the Florida Accomplished Practices, and (3) completion of the ESOL Portfolio. Students must also complete a course on adolescent development. This course should be taken as part of undergraduate coursework, but it can be completed after admission to English Proteach. Acceptable UF courses are EDF 3135, EDF 3210, EDF 6211. Substitutions from other institutions will be considered, but they must be approved by an advisor during the first semester of the program.
Recommended Undergraduate Preparation should include the course on the adolescent (see above) and courses in literature and writing that provide a foundation for teaching English language arts.
Current measures of student achievement focus on canonical works and prospective teachers are advised to develop an understanding of traditional texts and the forms and genres of textual study. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge that the stories and ideas shared in contemporary culture are often multimodal, participatory, and diverse. Therefore, we encourage prospective English teachers to develop facility with multiple forms of print and non-print texts and with the emerging technologies that influence literacy.
We suggest that prospective teachers enroll in a variety of courses that draw on traditional (Shakespeare, Survey of American Literature, Survey of English Literature) and contemporary notions of texts (i.e., film, television, graphic novels). Undergraduate courses that provide a broad view of literary movements and critical perspectives should be mixed with courses that provide deep and careful study of texts.
FAQs after Admission
What’s in the admission letter? Read this letter carefully as it includes important information about introductory meetings, required fingerprinting processes, and state tests. It also may include advice based on your application. If you are missing the Adolescent, you will be reminded that you need to take that course. If your admission is conditional, the conditions that you must meet will be explained in the letter. The admission letter will also include the Program of Study. You must register for the courses listed for the fall semester in your Program of Study at the earliest date possible.
What is my Program of Study? A Program of Study is a form that you will complete during the first few weeks of the fall term. The Program of Study is a legal document that describes the courses you must complete and the tests you must pass to graduate from English Proteach. Bring the form to LAE 6945 on the first day of class. We will discuss it and fill it out in class. Students who need to meet with an advisor will be able to make an appointment at that time. Click here for a current Program of Study.
What courses do I take in the Fall? These are listed on the Program of Study form that you received in your admission package. You need to register for all of the courses listed in the Fall 2009 column. You are responsible for your own registration process.
FAQs for Graduation
How do I acquire my Florida certificate? English Proteach is state-approved and NCATE certified. Completion of the program is also completion of state certification requirements. However, an application for a certificate and for ESOL endorsement must be submitted to the Florida Department of Education.
How do I get a letter stating that I’ve met the requirements for a certificate? Contact the Office of Student Services in the College of Education.
What happens if I’ve not completed all of the Florida Teacher Certification tests? You will not graduate.
Can I teach in other states? Because English Proteach also has NCATE approval, usually students can become certified in other states without completing additional coursework. There are many English Proteach graduates who have gotten certification in states, such as California, Colorado, Virginia, Georgia, and Illinois without meeting additional requirements. However, each state has different standards and requirements change. Therefore, students are advised to make appropriate inquiries to determine whether or not they have to meet additional requirements to become certified in a state other than Florida.
