Endorsements: Teacher Support Specialist Program
Georgia Regents University 's Teacher Support Specialist Program (TSS) is one of the programs in the state approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC). The TSS program at GRU is based on the statewide TSS Program, a mentor training program that was developed by the Georgia Department of Education in collaboration with school systems, colleges, universities, and Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESAs). The statewide program was designed to provide training to prepare highly qualified experienced teachers with the special knowledge and communication skills needed for assisting and supporting preservice teachers, beginning teachers, experienced teachers new to a school system, and colleagues in peer coaching relationships.

The TSS program at GRU consists of two courses: EDLR 7110 and EDLR 7120. The first course, known as the Preparation Phase focuses on training in observation techniques and developing skills in providing supportive feedback to a protégé through conferencing. During the Preparation Phase participants are introduced to an array of topics related to mentoring including roles and responsibilities of mentoring, problems and needs of beginning teachers, characteristics of adult learners, models of supervision, supervisory skills, learning styles, elements of effective teaching, teacher reflection, multiple intelligences, diversity, and legal and professional issues.

The second course of the TSS program, EDLR 7120: The Internship Phase, consists of activities relating to the application of the knowledge and skills developed during the Preparation Phase. During the Internship Phase participants are involved in activities including: maintaining a reflective journal, mentoring a protégé, reporting progress as mentors and progress of protégés, and applying observation techniques and conferencing skills as they complete three observation cycles (consisting of a preconference, observation and postconference with protégé). Participants develop and maintain a TSS portfolio.

Successful completion of EDLR 7110 and 7120 enable a teacher who has a valid Georgia teaching certificates and at least three years of satisfactory teaching experience to apply for the addition of the TSS endorsement to the certificates.

For more information about the TSS program at GRU contact:
Dr. Paulette P. Harris, TSS Coordinator
Email: pharris1@gru.edu
Phone: 706-729-2045

The Gifted Endorsement
The Gifted Endorsement may be added to a valid teaching certificate in Georgia and consists of 12 semester hours of graduate work at Georgia Regents University . Students take:

• EDUC 6040 Tests and Measurements
• EDUC 6271 Identifying Outstanding Talents and Potentials in Students
• EDUC 6272 Developing Outstanding Talents and Potentials in Students
• EDUC 6273 Curriculum and Program Design for Developing Talents

For information, please contact:
Dr. Paulette P. Harris
pharris1@gru.edu
706-729-2045