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EPI Center: Providing Educator Preparation

Confronting Unfinished Learning by Building Great Teachers.

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Our Mission

We empower educators through innovative preparation strategies, personalized support, and a path to excellence in the classroom.

The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation develops and sustains an in-to-end teacher pipeline. By upskilling educators to leverage data-driven, innovative strategies tailored to each learner, the EPI Center prepares teachers to create transformative educational and economic opportunities for lasting impact in classrooms and communities.

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EPI Center

The Ways We
Support Educators

It starts with educators. Explore how we support growth, innovation, and impact at every stage.
Our Services

Educators Prepared to Impact Communities (EPIC) Apprenticeship

Become an Educator Without Quitting Your Job.
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Personalized Praxis Support for Teachers


Prepare for the Praxis Exam with our customized coaching.
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Standard and Customized Professional Learning

Get Specialized Training to Improve Teacher Effectiveness and Classroom Outcomes in Districts and Schools.
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The Results of
Empowering Educators

SC teachers who partipated in the EPI Three-Tiered Support Model achieved a 50% or higher student passage rate on a South Carolina state assessment
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Licensure exam support success rate
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Educators supported in achieving National Board Certification
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The Latest News & Insights from EPI

EPI CENTER CELEBRATES FIRST GRADUATING COHORT OF EPIC APPRENTICES

News from EPI Center The Latest News and Updates from The EPI Center EPI CENTER CELEBRATES FIRST GRADUATING COHORT OF EPIC APPRENTICES Innovative alternative certification program equips 30 local educators with U.S. Department of Labor credentials to strengthen the state’s teaching workforce. DENMARK, S.C. — The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation & Innovation (EPI […]

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The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation (EPI Center) is proud to be featured in the Fall Edition of the HBCU Times!

News from EPI Center The Latest News and Updates from The EPI Center The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation (EPI Center) is proud to be featured in the Fall Edition of the HBCU Times! This powerful article, “Rethinking the Teacher Pipeline: How an HBCU-Born Center is Reimagining Teacher Preparation,” shines a spotlight […]

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EPI Center Gifts Culturally Rich Books to Palmetto Works Freedom School
The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation (EPI Center) is currently seeking certified English Language Arts and Elementary Education teachers to join the IMPACT program. IMPACT, which stands for Improvement Science Propels Achievement and Critical Teaching, offers a chance for local educators to transform their classrooms and make a real difference in their communities. IMPACT equips educators with the tools and data-driven strategies to reach every student individually. The goal is to help teachers “teach to each,” creating long-term educational and economic opportunities for their students.
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Professionals discussing at EPI Center event for health innovation.

Partners

Our Valued Partners

The EPI Center is a dynamic enterprise dedicated to building and supporting the next generation of highly effective educators. Our growth is fueled by strong partnerships with over 24 K-12 public school districts across South Carolina and numerous educational institutions nationwide and globally.
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Click here to learn more about our Sponsorships

EPI Center Careers

Build Your Career by Building
Great Teachers

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The EPI Center is committed to supporting adult career changers who desire to be classroom teachers, as well as currently certified teachers in South Carolina and nationally. By working with us, you can be part of creating great teachers.

Our Educators Know Best

"Our mission is to prepare educators to create transformative educational and economic opportunities for lasting impact in classrooms and communities by equipping them with tools and evidence-based approaches that can elevate their practice and the success of each of their students." 
- Dr. Damara Hightower Mitchell, EPI Center Founder and Chief Executive Officer
"The EPIC Apprenticeship is a plan of purpose that helped push me to my purpose in the classroom. Through personal struggles, challenges, and surviving a breast cancer diagnosis, I am proud to say that with EPIC, my family, friends, and faith, I was able to pass the Praxis exam on my first try."
- Wanda Addison, Lee County School District Praxis Completer – Early Childhood – Special Education
“In 2023, I lost my husband. After suffering this tragedy in my life, the EPIC apprenticeship gave me an opportunity to refocus on pursuing my passion to become a teacher. I thank the EPI Center for helping me reach my goal and destiny.”
- Veronica Robertson, Calhoun County School District Praxis Completer – Early Childhood
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Who We Are

The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation develops and sustains an in-to-end teacher pipeline. By upskilling educators to leverage data-driven, innovative strategies tailored to each learner, the EPI center prepares teachers to create transformative educational and economic opportunities for lasting impact in classrooms and communities.
meet the team
Diverse team of women professionals at EPI Center in front of city mural.