English for Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement
Endorsement programs at the graduate level are offered to teachers wishing to add areas of expertise to their current State of Georgia Teacher Certification. Endorsement programs are not degree programs; they typically require 9-12 graduate semester hours. GC recommends program completers to the Professional Standards Commission for certification upgrades for endorsement programs. The ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) Endorsement Program is designed for any P-12 teacher who is interested in learning how to better meet the needs of the students in his/her classroom. The program addresses the competencies required by the Professional Standards Commission's Georgia ESOL Endorsement.
Admission requirements include submitting a Graduate Admissions application form, two professional recommendations, official copies of all transcripts, passing scores on the Graduate Writing Assessment, verification of immunization, and verification of Georgia T4 certification or an S4 Georgia Service certification in Speech and Language Pathology.
After successfully completing the classes and requirements of the program, ESOL endorsement candidates must apply through the Georgia College certification officer for recommendation to the PSC to have the endorsement added to their certificates.
PhD., Science Education & Research Methodology, University of Pittsburgh
Research
Cultural Diversity, Higher Education Leadership
Biography
Dr. Joe Peters is the Dean of Education at Georgia College in Milledgeville, GA. He has oversight for two departments including Teacher Education (Early Childhood, Middle Grades, Secondary, Special, and Pre-Education programs) and Professional Learning and Innovation (Literacy/ Reading/Language, Instructional Technology/Library Media, Foundations, Educational Leadership programs) as well as the Call Me MISTER program at Georgia College and Early College (Grades 7-12) in partnership with Baldwin and Putnam County Georgia Public Schools. Dr. Peters graduated with a Ph.D in science education with a research methodology minor in 1990 and joined the University of West Florida faculty as a professor of science education. At UWF, he was the Chair of Teacher Education, Associate Dean for Educator Preparation, and Coordinator of the University’s Doctoral Program. During the 2007/2008 academic year, he was mentored by The University of Florida President Bernie Machen as an American Council on Education Fellow. Prior to Georgia College, he spent time at Northern Marianas College in Saipan and as Dean of Education at Chaminade University (2011-2015). He joined Georgia College as Dean on January 1, 2015. Prior to his higher education experience, Dr. Peters spent three years on active duty in the Army from 1975-1978 where he completed his GED. He subsequently attended Mercyhurst College where he graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in elementary education in 1982. He taught grades K8 physical education and grades 5-8 science before returning to graduate in 1984 with his dual master’s degree in both natural sciences and environmental education at Gannon University. He then taught high school science in the Erie, Pennsylvania Public School District until 1987 when he began teaching assistant and research associate positions at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Peters was direct commissioned in the Army Reserve as a First Lieutenant in 1988 and promoted to Captain in 1992. His military service includes assignments as an Environmental Science Officer, MASH Company Commander, and Civil Affairs Public Education Officer. Dr. Peters’ past community service includes participation as executive director representative to the Council of Scientific Society Presidents, North American representative to the International Council of Associations for Science Education, Executive Director of the Association for Science Teacher Education, Public Relations representative and President of the East-West Toastmasters in Hawaii, member of the Macon, GA Toastmasters, participation with the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce Leadership Pensacola program, assistant scoutmaster, numerous Teacher of the Year Committees, serving on the Massage Therapy Advisory Council for Pensacola State College, Secretary and President of the Milledgeville, GA Rotary, President of the Georgia Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and many other education boards and committees. He currently serves as a board member of the American Council on Education Fellows, Oconee Regional Educational Service Agency, Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy, and Lockerly Arboretum as well as volunteering with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
