• Frequently Asked Questions:

    Q: Where do I check my in-service points?

    A: Go to Power School and login, go to transcript in the top bar. Plugin the dates of your validity period, and then scroll down. 

    Q: What is the maximum external professional learning for a single activity?

    A: The maximum is 60 hours. 

    Q: Why am I not seeing courses I have taken on my transcript?

    A: When you finish a course, it is imperative that you forward the completion email you received from Beacon to Jensen Armstrong.

    Q: Where do I sign up for an ESE/SWD course?

    A: Go to Beacon and log in. Click Offerings in the top bar and a list of courses will appear. Choose the course you would like to take and add it to your cart. No fee is required. More in-depth instructions are stated in Beacon Instructions

    Q: I can't log into Beacon Educator, what am I supposed to do?

    A: If you have never used Beacon before and are unsure if you have an account, or you don't remember your password,  please reach out to Jensen Armstrong. 

    Q: Why am I being reported Out of Field?

    A: When you are assigned a course or student population (ESOL or Reading for which you do not hold appropriate certification (as per the Florida Department of Education Course Code Directory), you are considered as teaching out-of-field.  Out-of-field indications are based on the specific courses and students you are assigned by your location. 

    Q: I am Out of Field in ESOL, what do I do next? 

    A: The timelines are stated herein ESOL Requirements. If you feel you completed college courses that are applicable toward your ESOL training requirement, please email profdevelopment@nassau.k12.fl.us with a copy of your transcripts reflecting the courses in question and it will be reviewed to see if it aligns with the competencies. More information is included on the ESOL Information page to the left.

    Q: I am Out of Field in Reading. What do I do next?

    A: Teachers who are out of field in Reading Endorsement are required to complete two Reading Endorsement courses per year. There are 5 courses in all.  If you feel you completed college courses that are applicable toward your ESOL training requirement, please email profdevelopment@nassau.k12.fl.us with a copy of your transcripts reflecting the courses in question and it will be reviewed to see if it aligns with the competencies. More information is included on the Reading Endorsement page to the left.

    Q: I want to opt out of a course until next semester. How would I do that?

    A: If you are not ready to take the course, please fill out this form Removal Request. Please note that this is not a guarantee, we will have to check and make sure you will not fall behind doing so.

    Q: I have completed all the courses required to obtain the ESOL/Reading Endorsement through district in-service. How do I add the subject area to my certificate? 

    A: You must submit a State Application for Additions and the associated fee to the district Talent Acquisition & Operations Department, attention: Certification for processing.  The application is downloaded from the Certification website and the fee is paid online. For any further questions please reach out to Laurie Robert in Human Resources.

    Q: I completed the required training in the out-of-field subject area. Why am I still being indicated as out-of-field?

    A: A teacher is considered out-of-field until they have added the required subject area to their certificate.

    Q: I no longer teach the subject and/or student population I am being indicated as Out of Field for. Why must I complete out-of-field training?

    A: The Florida Administrative Code does not include a “forgiveness” rule if a teacher no longer teaches the subject they were indicated out-of-field for.  This means that once you are indicated as out-of-field, you are required to satisfy the mandated training regardless of whether you continue on the out-of-field assignment.

    Q: If I was enrolled in a Beacon course for Reading or ESOL Endorsement and I don't finish, can I take the course again?

    A: You can take the course again, but you will not receive a stipend when you complete it.