The Accelerated Induction into Teaching (AIT) program works with school districts to alleviate teacher shortages in rural and urban schools. AIT provides qualified FAU College of Education students with the opportunity to accelerate their teaching careers. AIT teacher candidates serve as full-time teachers in their respective classrooms during their final semester at FAU.

The AIT program differs from a traditional student teaching experience. AIT teacher candidates, supported by a master mentor, an onsite peer teacher, and an FAU supervisor, have complete responsibility for their own classrooms. Additionally, AIT teacher candidates are under contract with the school district for the five month school district semester and receive a $5,000 stipend.

"AIT teachers, Davina and Twayna, are the epitome of all that is great in mentoring. Confidence and wisdom are two of their many attributes. Mentoring these ladies was a pleasure. As a retired educator, I felt needed and appreciated the opportunity to give back to young people." Trudy Lieberman, AIT Mentor

"I I love this job and never want to forget this first experience of teaching. I want to feel this way every day of my career." Samantha Baker 2006 AIT graduate 3rd grade teacher

Enter AIT Application

1. When should I apply for the AIT Program?
   You should apply for the AIT Program during the semester prior to your scheduled student teaching semester. The AIT application deadline is approximately one month after the deadline to submit student teaching applications.
   
   
2. How do I apply for AIT?
   In addition to completing the online application on the FIAT website, you must submit an application packet consisting of the following:
   1. A complete copy of your entire student teaching application;
   2. Copies of all FTCE scores;
   3. An unofficial transcript;
   4. Copies of your ETP I final evaluation and your ETP II midterm (if secondary a copy of your ESEE 3940 midterm);
   5. A picture of yourself;
   6. Two professional references from College Education faculty, professors in content areas (for secondary students), clinical educators, teachers or administrators who know your competency with children;
   7. The appropriate application information sheet and checklist.
   
   
3. What are the additional application requirements necessary for consideration in the AIT program?
   To be eligible for AIT you must meet the following criteria:
   
   1. Documented previous experience with children in formal settings.
   2. Completion of all coursework prior to student teaching semester.
   3. Passing of all tests (all parts of the FTCE) prior to student teaching.
   4. Demonstration of a thorough awareness of Florida’s Educator Accomplished Practices (EAP) at the pre-professional level. Demonstration could be provided through a portfolio, selected artifacts, or a summary of each EAP and the course and activity in which you demonstrated it. Acceptable method of demonstration will depend on the requirements of your department.
   5. Demonstration of employability factors including but not limited to initiative, enthusiasm, cooperation, connecting with students and staff, being a team player, ability to take constructive criticism, positive outlook, organizational skills, being a self-starter and working within University, school district and school-based cultures.
   6. Approval from FAU's College of Education Departmental Review and AIT Screening Committee.
   
   
4. Who should I ask for professional references?
   A professional reference should be someone who knows your proficiency in the classroom. You can ask a professor from any course that had a field experience component, one of your clinical educators, a teacher in whose classroom you volunteered, or an administrator in any school in which you have worked.
   
   
5. What type of picture should I include in my packet and why do you need it?
   The picture may be digital or standard, similar to a passport photo. The picture assists the screening committee to identify applicants. The picture will not be returned.
   
   
6. How does AIT differ from traditional student teaching?
   There are several major differences between AIT and traditional student teaching.
   1. The AIT teacher candidate has 100% of the responsibility for the class from the first day of school.
   2. Instead of a Clinical Educator, the AIT teacher candidate is supported by a retired educator who serves as Master Mentor each day in the AIT classroom.
   3. The expectations of an AIT teacher candidate by his/her University Supervisor are slightly different from those of a regular student teacher. Those variations are reviewed with the AIT teacher candidate and the University Supervisor.
   4. The AIT teacher is under contract with the district as an AIT for the full district semester (not the FAU semester) and receives a $5000 stipend for those 5 months. Fall semester AIT teacher candidates remain in their positions from January to June and are paid as regular first-year teachers with benefits for those 5 months. Spring semester AIT teacher candidates can be reappointed to their positions for the following school year.