The First STEP Program
Epic’s First STEP Program is an innovative education career pathway designed to take you from someone who did not go to college to be an educator to a trained and certified teacher.
If you have a Bachelor’s degree and are interested in changing careers or are interested in working with students, Epic’s First STEP Program can help you achieve your goal.
Applicants will go through a multi-step interview process. If selected for the cohort, Epic will make an offer of employment and pay you during the First STEP Program.
*First STEP Program teachers are eligible to apply for exam reimbursement and Employee Education Benefit according to set criteria and timelines, as well as other benefits available to teachers at Epic, in addition to base salary package.
Applications for future First STEP cohorts coming soon.
1. ATTEND/APPLY
Teachers attend training on the basics of being an Epic
teacher during onboarding process. Teachers apply to
OSDE to start initial certificate and to determine
alternative pathway to certification.
2. TEACH/LEARN
Teach a roster of Epic students under emergency
certification while working with the First STEP Program cohort to prepare for alternative certification exams and courses.
3. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE
Successfully complete all exams and the Praxis
Performance Assessment of Teachers (PPAT) exam,
as well as required coursework & PD hours.*
4. APPLY FOR STANDARD CERTIFICATION
Once all requirements are met, teacher applies to OSDE for
Alternative Standard certification (good for 5 years).
Pathways to Certification
There are several different ways to fulfill the certification requirements. Please review the options below. Our pathways to certification include one on one support throughout your certification journey by a Certification Pathway Specialist.
Bachelor's Degree
2 Years of Experience as a Paraprofessional/Teacher
2.5 GPA
Pass Exam(s)
Complete 18 hours of approved coursework & reading instruction training
Pass PPAT
Interview Process
Teacher Interview Process
1. Apply online
Get your resume, transcripts, and certification ready to upload and apply online.
2. Interview with Talent Acquisition
A member of our team will reach out via our Applicant Tracking System to schedule your initial interview. This
will take place via Zoom.
3. Case Interview
Show off your skills! We will email you at a time that works for you to complete a written sample and lesson plan to submit via Google.
4. Principal Interview
The final step of our interview process is a Zoom interview with an Epic principal.
Epic Teacher Life
What do Epic Teachers do?
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Teachers will teach grades PK-12
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Teachers will teach all subject areas
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REGED teachers will meet with their students every week, face-to-face
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SPED teachers meet with their students weekly, face-to-face
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Communicate with families/students daily/weekly
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Utilize many platforms of technology
Compensation
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Flex benefits of $679/month to offset the cost of benefits for those enrolled in Epic Health Insurance
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100% pay into Oklahoma Teacher Retirement
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Paid standard IRS rate per mile when meeting students
Day-to-Day
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40-hour work week
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Flexibility of schedule as long as requirements of meeting with students and deadlines are met
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Year-round responsibilities
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Students on your roster are within a 60-mile radius
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Childcare must be arranged for your daycare-aged children
Support
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Principal
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TDS- Teacher Development Specialist
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Compliance Coordinator (SPED only)
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Epic Learning Community
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Continual Professional Development