Dawn Scilex, M.Ed

25+ years in education

Dawn Scilex, M.Ed

Program Director Elementary Education

Academic Advisor

Professional
Dawn began her education career after attending and graduating from Clearwater Christian College. She has invested 25 years teaching and developing leaders in a variety of roles. For the last 15 years she has been in leadership roles in Pasco County. She was a building Principal, charged with school turnaround work that required a high level of continual best practice work and research.

Personal
Dawn has been a member of First Baptist Church of New Port Richey since 2006, serving in many roles. She and Rich have been married for 25 years, together, they have been part of the NPR community for 20 years. Dawn and Rich have a married son and a daughter.

Education
Capella University Doctoral Studies
Nova Southeastern University M.Ed studies
Clearwater Christian College B.S. of Education

Trinity Podcast Interview with Dawn Scilex and Anthony Abell 1.5.2023
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Answers to Your Questions About the Elementary Education Major

Public or Charter School Teaching

It is highly recommended that students complete the Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE) including the General Knowledge Test, Professional Education Test, and Elementary Education (K-6) Subject Area Examination prior to graduation. A Trinity College graduate holding a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Elementary Education meets the Subject Specialization Requirements for Elementary Education (Grades K-6) in order to qualify for the Florida Temporary Educator Certificate. The Temporary Certificate is issued only after the individual has successfully interviewed for a teaching position and is employed in a Florida public, state-supported, or state-approved private school, and has completed all application process requirements including a fingerprint clearance. The Temporary Certificate is valid for three school years and is nonrenewable. Most teachers with a valid Temporary Certificate who have achieved passing scores on all parts of the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) are eligible to apply for a Professional Certificate after they have demonstrated Professional Education Competence (PEC), verified by the school principal after the first year of full-time employment as a teacher. (See fldoe.org/teaching/certification/ for complete details on certification.)

Christian, Private, Missions, or International School Teaching

All Trinity College Elementary Education majors will complete the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) certification process. Most students desiring to teach in
Christian, Private, Missions, or International schools will complete their Field Internships and Senior Year Student Teaching Internships in Christian or Private schools. Those focused on teaching in Missions schools have the option of completing their final Student Teaching Internship in a Missions setting. These students are also strongly encouraged to participate in short term missions opportunities or other intercultural ministry experiences and to choose electives from Intercultural Studies courses.

Church or Children’s Ministry

In addition to the practical application of teaching methods and philosophies that are learned as an Elementary Education Major, it is important to remember that every student graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity College also double majors in Bible and Theology. Trinity is first and foremost a Bible College with a mission that every student will be immersed in the teachings of Scripture and how it applies to each student’s program of study. Having a double major in Elementary Education and Bible and Theology uniquely equips individuals to effectively teach children the Word of God in Church and Ministry settings. Most students desiring to teach in Church and Children’s ministry settings will complete their Field Internships and Senior Year Student Teaching Internships in Christian schools.

For specific information regarding Florida certification

For specific information regarding Florida certification, students may contact the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification, Suite 201, Turlington Building, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.

Is financial aid available?

Yes! Although many people think they can’t afford to go to college, a large percentage of students receive some type of financial assistance, including our degree completion students. Our financial aid representatives are ready to help you sort through the different types of financial aid and show you how to get the assistance available to you.

What Is Trinity College of Florida's Accreditation?

Trinity College of Florida is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (U.S. Department of Education database)

APPROVALS:
– Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education. Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400, toll-free telephone number (888) 224-6684.
– Trinity College is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students, and
– United States Department of Education for Federal Pell Grants and other Federal financial aid programs, and
– Approved to enable the certified veteran to gain financial supplement for education.

MEMBERSHIPS:
– American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
– Association of Business Administrators of Christian Colleges (ABACC)
– Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
– Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
– Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA)
– Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (FACCS)
– Florida Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (FASFAA)
– National Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (NAICU)
– National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)
– Tampa Bay Library Consortium (TBLC)

Where Will My Trinity College Credits Transfer?

Every college and university has the right to decide what credits they will transfer in their programs. Trinity College uses the (SCNS) Numbering System. This numbering system is used by all public postsecondary institutions in Florida and by participating non-public institutions. The major purpose of this system is to facilitate the transfer of courses between participating institutions. Students and administrators can use the online SCNS to obtain course descriptions and specific information about course transfer between participating Florida institutions. This information is at the SCNS website, go there and download the SCNS Handbook to see the list of schools and courses at Florida Department of Education.

Faculty Publications

Ancient Apologetic Exegesis

Introducing and Recovering Theophilus's World. Dr. Parsons has been teaching at TCF since 2006 in the areas of Bible and Theology, specializing in Church History. He is also the Program Director for Advanced Theological Studies.

2015 Dr. Stu Parsons

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Darwin Strikes Back

Defending the Science of Intelligent Design. Dr. Thomas Woodward has been teaching at TCF since 1988 in the areas of theology, apologetics, and science. He is also the President of the C.S. Lewis Society.

2006 Dr. Thomas Woodward

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Discipleship in Education

A Plan for Creating True Followers of Jesus Christ in Christian Schools. Dr. Allotta began teaching at Trinity College of Florida in 2010. He is the Program Director for the Ministry programs at TCF. He is also the campus chaplain.

2018 Dr. Joseph Allotta

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Doubts About Darwin

A History of Intelligent Design.Dr. Woodward has been teaching at TCF since 1988 in the areas of theology, apologetics, and science. He is also the President of the C.S. Lewis Society.

2003 Dr. Thomas Woodward

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Faithville: A Community Changed

Every community has its internal conflicts. Faithville has suffered decades of division over denominational differences. A suspicious couple present an opportunity for church growth that causes unrest and financial angst among church leaders. Through the collaboration and determination of the church leadership, hearts and lives are changed. Faithville becomes a place that God greatly blesses.

2024 Dr. James K. Rushing

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Love That Rescues

In an age where "church discipline" has fallen out of favor in the context of many churches, Eric Bargerhuff calls the church to a deeper understanding of its nature and purpose as an expression of God's "fatherly love" towards his people. As a biblically mandated activity instituted by Christ himself in Matthew 18, church discipline is an essential practice of any faithful church that is committed to sharing the Gospel and making disciples.

2010 Dr. Eric Bargerhuff

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The Character of a Disciple

A 52-Week Devotional Challenging Disciples to Take on the Character of Christ. Author Cindy Perkins is an Assistant Professor, Director of Business and Organizational Leadership Department

2023 Cindy Perkins

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The Most Misused Stories in the Bible

Eric J. Bargerhuff, Ph.D. is the Vice President for Academic Affairs and a professor of Bible and Theology. He served in pastoral ministry for over 22 years in churches in Ohio, Illinois, and Florida. He received his Ph.D. in Biblical and Systematic Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.

2017 Dr. Eric Bargerhuff

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The Most Misused Verses in the Bible

A surprising number of popular Bible stories are commonly misused or misunderstood, even by well-intentioned Christians. In this concise yet thorough book, Eric J. Bargerhuff helps you fully understand the meaning of David and Goliath, Jonah and the Big Fish, the Woman Caught in Adultery, and other well-known Bible stories.

2012 Dr. Eric Bargerhuff

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The Mysterious Epigenome: What Lies Beyond DNA

Many believers don’t understand the importance DNA has on their everyday routines. Healthy lifestyles--and healthy spiritual lives--are very much related to the epigenome, the control system of the cell. It’s time for Christians to learn the amazing and mysterious benefits of understanding what lies beyond DNA. In this creative and inventive treatment, authors Thomas E. Woodward and James P. Gills take readers on an exploration of the human epigenome. Acting as tour guides leading visitors through a 3-D model of a human cell, Woodward and Gills bring to life the human molecular makeup. Readers (as visitors) will get up close and personal with the minute details of human molecular structure, including E. coli, flagellum, a DNA helix, an RNA molecule, and more. By seeing it with their own eyes, readers will gain a better understanding of their genetic systems and a better appreciation for the Creator who put this all into place.

2011 by Thomas Woodward (Author), James Gills (Author)

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Watch Your Step! Barefoot in a Broken-Glass World

There is no reset button in life. Avoiding the pitfalls of life takes wisdom-wisdom not of this world. The key to avoiding, and worse yet, causing a disaster in your life is to develop a keen eye for any signs of trouble. Watch Your Step! Barefoot in a Broken-Glass World helps the reader identify and avoid the pitfalls as identified by Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived. He had profound insights into the fallen nature of man.

2014 John Keller

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Why Is That in the Bible?

The Most Perplexing Verses and Stories—and What They Teach Us. What should we make of the Bible story about a talking donkey? What about the passage in Joshua where the sun and moon stood still? Should biblical practices like women wearing head coverings still be followed today? The Bible serves as the foundation for all of Christian life, crossing time and transcending cultures, yet many passages are perplexing.

2020 Eric J. Bargerhuff

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