 PEN, the Professional Educators’ Network of Florida, is a statewide, non-profit education association that offers educators legal protection, insurance and professional counsel. PEN provides charter school teachers an alternative route that provides many of the same benefits of unionization at a much lower cost.
FCPCS endorses PEN as an excellent and economical way for charter school teachers to secure coverage for insurance and legal protection.
PEN’s annual membership rates are $75 a year for new teachers and $150 for established teachers. PEN membership fee includes liability insurance of up to two million dollars, up to $10,000 in attorney defense fees if your employment rights are violated or if there is any action taken by the State of Florida regarding your professional certification, and up to $10,000 in attorney fees to defend you against criminal charges arising in your professional capacity.
PEN’s members are afforded special travel benefits and discounts. PEN also lobbies on behalf of its members but does not endorse or make contributions to political candidates or political causes.
Teachers who are members of PEN may apply for one of several scholarships offered through PEN’s foundation every year.
More information is available on PEN’s membership program at www.penfl.org and by phone at 1-800-311-7770.
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 Are you a classroom teacher who needs to earn state certification? Is the cost of tuition or time commitment keeping you from enrolling in a university course?
The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) provides a new approach to teacher certification that is faster and less expensive than the traditional route through university-based degree programs. Its certification program is nationally recognized and portable in several states. ABCTE is a non-profit organization committed to recruiting, certifying and supporting excellent teachers essential for achieving student success.
One of the American Board’s most popular programs is its Passport to Teaching for teachers who do not yet have their state certification, or for knowledgeable professionals who want to change careers to become teachers. Passport to Teaching is a cost-effective, time-efficient route to earning a teaching credential that is recognized by the state of Florida.
Passport to Teaching offers a breakthrough solution for individuals to earn their certification in the following subject areas, which are officially recognized by the State of Florida:
- Biology (6-12)
- Chemistry (6-12)
- Elementary Education (K-6)
- English Language Arts (6-12)
- General Science (6-12)*
- Mathematics (6-12)
- Physics (6-12)
- Special Education (K-6)
*In Florida, the General Science certification is only accepted for public school
teachers of grades 5-9.
Typically, participants in the Passport to Teaching program earn their certification in about six months. The process includes a Federal background check, individual advising by an experienced teacher, a teaching knowledge examination and a subject matter examination.
American Board certification is currently accepted in Florida, Idaho, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, South Carolina and Utah.
The American Board is introducing a Master Teacher certification that provides an option for teachers who wish to be recognized for their consistent positive impact on student achievement. To be certified as a Master Teacher, candidates must successfully complete two phases of the certification program.
For more information on both of these programs, please call 1-877-669-2228 or visit https://www.abcte.org.
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