Eric Tisdale, a graduate of the College of Education at St. Petersburg College started as an accountant but with the help of SPC, he made the change and focused on his dream to become a teacher.

Watch Eric Tisdale success story.

The College of Education at St. Petersburg College offers an array of certified and non-certified Bachelor’s degrees in the areas of Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Exceptional Student Education, Interdisciplinary Educational Studies, and Middle Grades and Secondary Education for Math and Science.

A passion for education

Tisdale always wanted to go into teaching, but since he was good at math he went a different route and was an accountant for many years. Still, he “loved teaching kids and felt he had a lot to offer.” After some research, there was something about St. Petersburg College that attracted Tisdale. “I felt a sense of community, and sense of togetherness and that kind of drew me in, and I felt like this is where I need to be,” said Tisdale.

It was SPC’s College of Education that prepared Tisdale. The practicums, observations, and final internships equipped him greatly. Most importantly, it was the caring and highly qualified faculty that inspired Tisdale to succeed. While contemplating his time at SPC, Tisdale acknowledges that what helped him was how the teachers “wanted you to succeed.”

Overall, Tisdale feels prepared and ready to go into the classroom and fulfill his dream of being a teacher thanks to St. Petersburg College.