Endorsements

All offered endorsements have been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Endorsements are job-embedded professional learning offerings which provide an opportunity for teachers to develop their expertise in the endorsement area. Endorsement coursework is the equivalent of graduate level college coursework.

Okefenokee RESA currently offers three endorsements. For information on each endorsement, click the links below.

For more information on endorsements, contact:

Rhonda Gatewood

rgatewood@okresa.org

The Gifted In-Field Endorsement is designed to train local candidates to identify and teach gifted students from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds. This three course endorsement program ensures that graduates have in-depth knowledge of teaching gifted and talented students. Program candidates will complete 200 hours of coursework and applied field experiences; content knowledge will be integrated across courses to help ensure mastery and coverage. This program abides by and provides expertise in accordance with PSC rule 505-3-.90 GIFTED IN-FIELD EDUCATION ENDORSEMENT PROGRAM.

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The K-5 Mathematics endorsement is designed for elementary math teachers who desire to increase their mathematical content and pedagogical knowledge. This four course endorsement program includes field experiences in a variety of elementary math settings throughout the program. This program abides by and provides expertise in accordance with PSC rule 505-3-.92 K-5 MATHEMATICS ENDORSEMENT PROGRAM.

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The Teacher Support and Coaching (TSC) Endorsement program is designed to train exemplary teachers to mentor and support beginning teachers, to supervise student teachers, and to support colleagues seeking to improve performance through reflection and modification of practice. Completers of this two course endorsement program earn two endorsements: Teacher Support & Coaching Endorsement and the Coaching Endorsement. This program abides by and provides expertise in accordance with PSC rule 505-3-.105 TEACHER SUPPORT AND COACHING (TSC) ENDORSEMENT PROGRAM

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The Dyslexia Endorsement will prepare individuals to recognize the characteristics of dyslexia and support students with dyslexia in the field and at the grade levels of their base certification. This two course endorsement consists of 120 hours of coursework and applied field experiences; content knowledge will be integrated across courses to help ensure mastery. This program abides by and provides expertise in accordance with PSC rule 505-3-.112 Dyslexia Endorsement Program.

Download PDF

Gifted Endorsement

Table of Contents

Description

All offered endorsements have been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. According to GaPSC Rule 505-3-.01, Endorsements are, “A planned sequence of courses and experiences, typically of three (3) to four (4) courses in length, designed to provide certified educators with an additional, specific set of knowledge and skills, or to expand and enhance existing knowledge and skills. Successful completion of an endorsement program results in the addition of the endorsement field to the Georgia educator certificate.”

All endorsements and programs have job-embedded practice. Candidates must ensure that they can accomplish the clinical practice required for each endorsement or program, which will require working with students and staff, as applicable. Endorsement coursework is the equivalent of graduate level college coursework.


Program Overview

The Gifted In-Field Endorsement is designed to train local candidates to identify and teach gifted students from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds. This 3 course endorsement program ensures that graduates have in-depth knowledge of teaching gifted and talented students. Program candidates will complete 200 hours of coursework and applied field experiences; content knowledge will be integrated across courses to help ensure mastery and coverage. This program abides by and provides expertise in accordance with PSC rule 505-3-.90 GIFTED IN-FIELD EDUCATION ENDORSEMENT PROGRAM.

The courses in the Gifted Endorsement are below and must be completed in sequence.

  • Characteristics of Gifted Students
  • Assessment of Gifted Students
  • Curriculum & Differentiation for the Gifted Student

Endorsement courses are not self-paced courses. There are scheduled online sessions and regular due dates for assignments throughout the courses. In order to successfully complete the course, all assignments must be submitted by the course deadline date. Failure to complete a course will delay candidates completion of the endorsement by one year.

Course Substitution:

In order to substitute a course into an endorsement sequence, the following guidelines must be met:

  1. The course must have been completed from a Georgia Professional Standards approved program within the past 5 years.
  2. The candidate must have received a satisfactory grade/evaluation in the course. A satisfactory grade from a college course is at least a B.
  3. The candidate must submit a complete course syllabus and transcript (or other proof of completion) to the Professional Learning Coordinator upon acceptance into the endorsement program.
  4. The course syllabus must demonstrate that the same standards were covered in the course as are covered in the Okefenokee RESA endorsement course.
  5. No more than 1 course may be substituted in the endorsement program.

The Course Substitution Form (located in the Resources section below) must be submitted with the endorsement application. Course substitutions will not be accepted once the endorsement has begun.


Required Texts

The selected texts are teacher handbooks. They will support not only the learning of the course, but build capacity to create high quality assessments and programs for students.


Characteristics of Gifted Students

Winebrenner, S. (2018)  Teaching Gifted Kids in Today’s Classroom - Strategies and Techniques Every Teacher Can Use (Updated 4th Edition) ISBN: 978-1631983726

Click here to purchase.


Assessment of Gifted Students

Coil, C. & Merrit, D. (2011). Solving the Assessment Puzzle. Pieces of Learning. (Revised Edition)  ISBN: 978-1934358870

Click here to purchase.


Curriculum & Differentiation for Gifted Students

Heacox, D., Cash, R.M. (2020). Differentiation for Gifted Learners (Revised & Updated Third Edition). ISBN: 978-163198-432-7

Click here to purchase.


Admissions Requirements

  • Currently employed in a school system
  • Posses a valid, level 4 or higher Induction or Professional certificate in any teaching field
  • Completed two years of successful teaching experience
  • Not be involved in extra-curricular activities that would inhibit his/her ability to attend class on time and to complete assignments on time.
  • Have the recommendation of his/her Principal and system Gifted Coordinator

** It is strongly recommended that candidates in endorsement programs are not enrolled in any other college programs during the endorsement. 


Tuition

Characteristics of Gifted Students:

  • $250 plus cost of books  - OK RESA systems
  • $350 plus cost of books - non-OK RESA systems

Assessment of Gifted Students:

  • $250 plus cost of books - OK RESA systems
  • $350 plus cost of books - non-OK RESA systems

Curriculum and Differentiation for Gifted Students

  • $400 plus cost of books - OK RESA systems
  • $500 plus cost of books - non-OK RESA systems
**OK RESA Endorsement programs are not eligible for 1098-T forms because they are certification programs and not degree programs. We advise all candidates to consult with their tax advisor.

Application Process

Prior to applying for the Gifted Endorsement, please read the “Endorsement Program Orientation and Application” located in the Resources Section below.

To be approved for an endorsement program, submit the following:

  • Completed application (be sure sections 1 - 4 are complete and signed)
  • Copy of Teaching Certificate
  • Completed OK RESA Endorsement Agreement

Resources

Endorsement Program Orientation & Application

Endorsement Withdrawal Form

K-5 Mathematics Endorsement

Table of Contents

Description

All offered endorsements have been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. According to GaPSC Rule 505-3-.01, Endorsements are, “A planned sequence of courses and experiences, typically of three (3) to four (4) courses in length, designed to provide certified educators with an additional, specific set of knowledge and skills, or to expand and enhance existing knowledge and skills. Successful completion of an endorsement program results in the addition of the endorsement field to the Georgia educator certificate.”

All endorsements and programs have job-embedded practice. Candidates must ensure that they can accomplish the clinical practice required for each endorsement or program, which will require working with students and staff, as applicable. Endorsement coursework is the equivalent of graduate level college coursework.


Program Overview

The K-5 Mathematics endorsement is designed for elementary math teachers who desire to increase their mathematical content and pedagogical knowledge. This 4 course endorsement program includes field experiences in a variety of elementary math settings throughout the program. This program abides by and provides expertise in accordance with PSC rule 505-3-.92 K-5 MATHEMATICS ENDORSEMENT PROGRAM .

The courses in the K-5 Mathematics Endorsement are below and must be completed in sequence.

  • Building Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Understanding Numbers and Operations
  • Building Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Understanding Geometry
  • Building Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Understanding Data Analysis
  • Building Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Understanding Algebra

Endorsement courses are not self-paced courses. There are scheduled online sessions and regular due dates for assignments throughout the courses. In order to successfully complete the course, all assignments must be submitted by the course deadline date. Failure to complete a course will delay candidates completion of the endorsement by one year.

Course Substitution:

In order to substitute a course into an endorsement sequence, the following guidelines must be met:

  1. The course must have been completed from a Georgia Professional Standards approved program within the past 5 years.
  2. The candidate must have received a satisfactory grade/evaluation in the course. A satisfactory grade from a college course is at least a B.
  3. The candidate must submit a complete course syllabus and transcript (or other proof of completion) to the Professional Learning Coordinator upon acceptance into the endorsement program.
  4. The course syllabus must demonstrate that the same standards were covered in the course as are covered in the Okefenokee RESA endorsement course.
  5. No more than 1 course may be substituted in the endorsement program.

The Course Substitution Form (located in the Resources section below) must be submitted with the endorsement application. Course substitutions will not be accepted once the endorsement has begun.


Required Text (used for all courses)

Van De Walle, J., Karp, K.S., and Bay-Williams, J. M. (2018). Elementary and Middle School Mathematics - Teaching Developmentally (10th Edition)  ISBN: 978-013482084

Click here to purchase.


Admissions Requirements

  • Currently employed in a school system.
  • Possess a valid, level four or higher Induction or Professional certificate in one of the following areas:
    • Early Childhood Education;
    • Middle Grades Math; or
    • Special Education General Curriculum/Early Childhood Education; or
    • Any of the following fields combined with a core academic content concentration in mathematics:
      • Special Education General Curriculum;
      • Special Education Adapted Curriculum;
      • Behavior Disorders;
      • Learning Disabilities;
      • Deaf Education;
      • Physical and Health Disabilities;
      • Visual Impairment; or
      • Gifted
  • Completed 1 year of successful teaching experience
  • Not be involved in extra-curricular activities that would inhibit his/her ability to attend class on time and to complete assignment on time.
  • Have the recommendation of Principal and system Professional Learning Coordinator

** It is strongly recommended that candidates in endorsement programs are not enrolled in any other college programs during the endorsement. 


Tuition

Building Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Understanding Numbers and Operations:

  • $250 OK RESA systems
  • $350  non-OK RESA systems

Building Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Understanding Geometry

  • $250 OK RESA systems
  • $350 non-OK RESA systems

Building Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Understanding Data Analysis

  • $250  OK RESA systems
  • $350 non-OK RESA systems

Building Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Algebra

  • $250 OK RESA systems
  • $350 non-OK RESA systems
**OK RESA Endorsement programs are not eligible for 1098-T forms because they are certification programs and not a degree programs. We advise all candidates to consult with their tax advisor.

Application Process

Prior to applying for the Endorsement, please read the “Endorsement Program Orientation and Application” located in the Resources Section below.

To be approved for an endorsement program, submit the following:

  • Completed application (be sure sections 1 - 4 are complete and signed)
  • Copy of Teaching Certificate
  • Completed OK RESA Endorsement Agreement

Resources

Endorsement Program Orientation & Application

Endorsement Withdrawal Form

Teacher Support & Coaching Endorsement

Table of Contents

Description

All offered endorsements have been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. According to GaPSC Rule 505-3-.01, Endorsements are, “A planned sequence of courses and experiences, typically of three (3) to four (4) courses in length, designed to provide certified educators with an additional, specific set of knowledge and skills, or to expand and enhance existing knowledge and skills. Successful completion of an endorsement program results in the addition of the endorsement field to the Georgia educator certificate.”

All endorsements and programs have job-embedded practice. Candidates must ensure that they can accomplish the clinical practice required for each endorsement or program, which will require working with students and staff, as applicable. Endorsement coursework is the equivalent of graduate level college coursework.


Program Overview

The Teacher Support and Coaching (TSC) Endorsement program is designed to train exemplary teachers to mentor and support beginning teachers, to supervise student teachers, and to support colleagues seeking to improve performance through reflection and modification of practice. Completers of this 2 course endorsement program earn two endorsements: Teacher Support & Coaching Endorsement and the Coaching Endorsement. This program abides by and provides expertise in accordance with PSC rule 505-3-.105 TEACHER SUPPORT AND COACHING (TSC) ENDORSEMENT PROGRAM

The courses in the Teacher Support & Coaching Endorsement are below and must be completed in sequence.

  • Defining Coaching and Mentoring Skills
  • Implementing the Mentor and Coaching Process

Endorsement courses are not self-paced courses. There are scheduled online sessions and regular due dates for assignments throughout the courses. In order to successfully complete the course, all assignments must be submitted by the course deadline date. Failure to complete a course will delay candidates completion of the endorsement by one year.

Course Substitution:

In order to substitute a course into an endorsement sequence, the following guidelines must be met:

  1. The course must have been completed from a Georgia Professional Standards approved program within the past 5 years.
  2. The candidate must have received a satisfactory grade/evaluation in the course. A satisfactory grade from a college course is at least a B.
  3. The candidate must submit a complete course syllabus and transcript (or other proof of completion) to the Professional Learning Coordinator upon acceptance into the endorsement program.
  4. The course syllabus must demonstrate that the same standards were covered in the course as are covered in the Okefenokee RESA endorsement course.
  5. No more than 1 course may be substituted in the endorsement program.

The Course Substitution Form (located in the Resources section below) must be submitted with the endorsement application. Course substitutions will not be accepted once the endorsement has begun.


Required Texts

Defining Coaching and Mentoring Skills & Implementing the Mentor and Coaching Process:

Gross Cheliotes, L. M., Reilly, M. F. (2018). Coaching Conversations: Transforming Your School One Conversation at a Time (2nd Edition)  ISBN: 978-1544319711

Click here to purchase.

Killion, J., Harrison, C. (2017). Taking the Lead: New Roles for Teachers and School-based Coaches (2nd Edition) ISBN: 978-0990315865

Click here to purchase.


Admissions Requirements

  • Currently employed in a school system.
  • Possess a valid, level 4 or higher Professional certificate in any teaching field
  • Possess excellent interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrate a positive attitude toward the teaching profession
  • Be willing to commit personal time in the support of beginning teachers
  • Not be involved in any extra-curricular activities that would inhibit his/her ability to attend class on time and to complete assignments on time
  • Have the recommendation to serve as a coach and/or mentor from the employing school and system

** It is strongly recommended that candidates in endorsement programs are not enrolled in any other college programs during the endorsement. 


Tuition

Defining Coaching and Mentoring Skills:

  • $250 plus cost of books  - OK RESA systems
  • $350 plus cost of books - non-OK RESA systems

Implementing the Coaching and Mentoring Process:

  • $250 plus cost of books - OK RESA systems
  • $350 plus cost of books - non-OK RESA systems
**OK RESA Endorsement programs are not eligible for 1098-T forms because they are certification programs and not a degree programs. We advise all candidates to consult with their tax advisor.

Application Process

Prior to applying for the TSC Endorsement, please read the “Endorsement Program Orientation and Application” located in the Resources Section below.

To be approved for an endorsement program, submit the following:

  • Completed application (be sure sections 1 - 4 are complete and signed)
  • Copy of Teaching Certificate
  • Completed OK RESA Endorsement Agreement

Resources

Endorsement Program Orientation & Application

Endorsement Withdrawal Form

Dyslexia Endorsement

Table of Contents

Description

All offered endorsements have been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC). According to GaPSC Rule 505-3-.01, Endorsements are “A planned sequence of courses and experiences, typical of three (3) to four (4) courses in length, designed to provide certified educators with an additional, specific set of knowledge and skills, or to expand and enhance existing knowledge and skills. Successful completion of an endorsement program results in the addition of the endorsement field to the Georgia educator certificate.”

All endorsements and programs have job-embedded practice. Candidates must ensure that they can accomplish the clinical practice required for each endorsement or program, which will require working with students and staff, as applicable. Endorsement coursework is the equivalent of graduate level college coursework.


Program Overview

The Endorsement will prepare individuals to recognize the characteristics of dyslexia and support students with dyslexia in the field and at the grade levels of their base certification based on standards outlined in Rule 505-3-.112. This endorsement is made up of two courses delivered in a hybrid model combining face-to-face meetings and online coursework.

The endorsement consists of two courses which must be taken in sequence:

1.) Foundations of Literacy Acquisition (60 hours)

2.) Assessments and Structured Literacy Instruction (60 hours)

The purpose of the Dyslexia Endorsement is:

  • To enable candidates to understand the five language processing requirements of proficient reading and writing; phonological, orthographic, semantic, syntactic, and discourse.
  • To increase understanding of the reciprocal relationships among phonemic awareness, decoding, word recognition, spelling, and vocabulary knowledge.
  • To explore the characteristics of a student with dyslexia
  • To enable candidates to practice, apply, and implement assessments
  • To include screening, progress monitoring, diagnostics, and outcome assessments
  • To focus on knowing and utilizing structured literacy practices which include explicit, systematic, cumulative, and teacher-directed principles and practices.
  • To provide rationales and adaptions in instruction to accommodate for individual differences in cognitive, linguistic, sociocultural, and behavioral aspects of learning to include multimodal and multi-sensory language learning techniques
  • To practice, apply, and implement assessments and instruction to address the five language processing requirements.

Program Rigor 

Potential candidates for the Dyslexia Endorsement should understand that the rigor of the program is equivalent to a graduate degree program and are strongly discouraged from participating while engaged in other graduate work. Candidates will be expected to complete both in-class and out-of-class assignments on time and no course credit will be awarded if assignments are incomplete or missing. 

Endorsement courses are not self-paced courses. There are scheduled online sessions and regular due dates for assignments throughout the courses. In order to successfully complete the course, all assignments must be submitted by the course deadline date. Failure to complete a course will delay candidate completion of the endorsement by one year.


2023-2024 Course Dates:
(All Face to Face nights will be held at Okefenokee RESA)

Foundations of Literacy Acquisition and Understanding Dyslexia   

Face-to-Face nights:
1/22/24
2/5/24
2/26/24
3/11/24
3/25/24
4/15/24
4/29/24

Assessments and Structured Literacy Instruction
Face-to-Face nights: TBA

 

The F2F nights will be from 4:30 - 8:30.


Required Text

The following text is used for both courses: 

Shaywitz, S. (2020). Overcoming Dyslexia (2nd Edition). ISBN: 978-0679781592

Click here to purchase. 


Admissions Requirements 

  • Currently employed by a school system in OK RESA district
  • Possess a valid, Level 4 or higher Induction or Professional teaching, service, or leadership certificate
  • Not enrolled in GaTAPP or MAT program
  • Not be involved in extra-curricular activities that would inhibit his/her ability to attend class on time and to complete assignments on time.
  • Have the recommendation of the Principal and system Professional Learning Coordinator

*Strongly recommend that candidates in endorsements are not enrolled in any other college programs during the endorsement. 


Tuition

Foundations of Literacy Acquisition and Understanding Dyslexia  

  • $300.00 plus the cost of books- OK RESA Systems
  • $450.00 plus the cost of books- Non OK RESA Systems

Assessments and Structured Literacy Instruction

  • $300.00 plus the cost of books- OK RESA Systems
  • $450.00 plus the cost of books- Non OK RESA Systems
**OK RESA Endorsement programs are not eligible for 1098-T forms because they are certification programs and not degree programs. We advise all candidates to consult with their tax advisor.

Application Process

Prior to applying for the Dyslexia Endorsement, please read the “Endorsement Program Orientation and Application” located in the Resources Section below.

To be approved for an endorsement program, submit the following:

  • Completed application (be sure sections 1 - 4 are complete and signed)
  • Copy of Teaching Certificate
  • Completed OK RESA Endorsement Agreement

Resources

Endorsement Program Orientation & Application

Endorsement Withdrawal Form

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