Emerging Educators

Congratulations on joining Bibb County School District as an Emerging Educator! We are committed to supporting you as you pursue certification and grow as a professional educator. 

This page includes everything you need to understand your expectations, access resources, and take next steps on your certification journey. 

Key Expectations 

Per District protocol, all Emerging Educators are expected to work toward full certification within their first three years of employment. View the full protocol for general education and special education here to ensure compliance with District timelines - Emerging Educator Protocol - Final.pdf. 

Steps to Certification in Georgia 

1. Enroll in an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) 

• TAPP, MAT, or Post Baccalaureate
• Visit https://www.gapsc.com for more information about GaPSC Approved Educator Preparation Programs (EPP).
• Complete all coursework, field experience, and program requirements.
• Maintain communication with your provider, the district, and your principal throughout the process.

Option A: TAPP (Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy)

• Partnered through Middle Georgia RESA
• Please reach out to GaTAPP with specific questions about the program.
• Must pass required Content Assessment
• The district will pay for the first year of TAPP if the candidate agrees to and meets the required criteria (including a 3-year post completion commitment).
  • TAPP Support Program Information Flyer
  • TAPP Support Financial Agreement and Application
• Cohort based, on-the-job preparation program
• Leads to full certification upon completion

Option B: MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching)

• Enroll in a GaPSC (https://www.gapsc.com) approved MAT program
• Includes coursework and student teaching or job embedded field experience
• May take 12–24 months to complete
• No district financial assistance provided for MAT
• Leads to full initial certification as well as an advanced degree upon completion

Option C: Post Baccalaureate Program

• Offered through some universities and alternative providers
• No district financial assistance provided for Post Baccalaureate
• Shorter than MAT, but includes pedagogy and field experience
• Must be GaPSC approved (https://www.gapsc.com)          
• Must pass required content assessment
• Leads to initial certification without earning an advanced degree

2. Pass Required Certification Exams

• Visit the GACE Assessments website to confirm required exams for your content area.
• Must be passed before enrollment in most programs

3. Apply for Certification through GaPSC

• Upon program completion, visit https://www.gapsc.com to submit required documents such as test scores, transcripts, provider verification, etc. to your MyPSC account.
• Visit the BCSD Certification Corner for additional guidance.
• Notify Director of Talent Management and Certification Administrator.

4. Important Reporting Responsibilities

• Notify the following individuals at key milestones, such as EPP enrollment, un-enrollment, program completion, passing Content Assessment:
  • Holly Huynh, Director of Talent Management – holly.huynh@bcsdk12.net             
  • Melanie Brown, Certification Administrator – melanie.brown@bcsdk12.net
• When you enroll in an approved EPP, complete the following form: https://forms.office.com/r/SnX4BbkTfC
• When you pass Content Assessment, complete the following form: https://forms.office.com/r/SnX4BbkTfC
• When you graduate or earn certification complete the following form: https://forms.office.com/r/5iSpUfsbWf
• If you unenroll for any reason, notify Director of Talent Management, Certification Administrator, and your principal in writing, via email, immediately.

5. Required District Participation

• All Emerging Educators must attend Certification Information Sessions (3x/year) until enrolled in an EPP.  Once enrolled, attendance at Certification Information Sessions is no longer required.
• All FIRST-YEAR Emerging Educators must attend Emerging Educator Professional Learning during their first year, regardless of EPP enrollment status.
   

Required Professional Learning Schedule 

All First Year Emerging Educators are expected to participate in ongoing professional learning. If you have been with the district for longer than a year, you are not required to attend these sessions, unless otherwise directed by your principal. All Trainings will be held at the Professional Learning Center (PLC) at 2003 Riverside Drive from 8:00-4:00.  Please plan accordingly.

• August 22 
• October 17 
• January 16 
• March 13

There will be a culminating End of the Year Session on May 6 from 5:00-7:00.  Location TBD.

Required Certification Information Sessions

All Certification Information Sessions will take place at the Thompson Complex (Training Room 102), located at 1210 Shurling Drive, from 3:30-5:30.  These sessions are required for any Emerging Educator who is not enrolled in an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP).  These sessions are designed as drop-in events to accommodate for release times from school.

• August 27
• November 19
• April 29

Questions? 

Reach out to: 

• Holly Huynh – Director of Talent Management: holly.huynh@bcsdk12.net

• Melanie Brown – Certification Specialist: melanie.brown@bcsdk12.net