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What will I learn in the Academy of Future Teachers?
This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Education & Training career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Education & Training career cluster.
The content includes but is not limited to competencies and skills needed to become a professional in the field of education. This includes an understanding of education in the United States, the ability to work effectively with all students, educational technology, classroom management, student assessment, communication skills, and other skills needed to support the learning activities of students.
Why choose AFT?
- Career based magnet program
- Opportunity for field experience
- Welcoming environment
- To build a community
- Work on curriculum that is tailored to your personality
- The program helps students be more marketable
What makes AFT Special?
- Learn with like-minded people and do not feel judged
- Stay in a cohort all 4 years
- Build a closer relationship with your teacher
- Hands-on experience in a lively classroom
- Get a different insight of a teacher’s perspective
- Learn how to be more extraverted
- Interact with people outside of your academic classes
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What will my schedule look like?
What to expect in the future?
Industry Certification
As a part of the Career and Technical Education requirements for Academies that receive the Federal Perkins Grant, our program will offer an industry certification related to the profession. Because this is a new requirement, we are currently working with the district and the Department of Education to determine which certification we will offer. At this time, we cannot specifically say which industry certification nor which year you will earn it. However, sometime during your academic future, you will have the chance to earn an industry certification in the workforce that will make you more marketable.
Becoming an Alachua County Teacher
Students who graduate from the Alachua County Public School District’s Academy of Future Teachers (AFT) at Gainesville High School who obtain a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institute and are eligible for a Florida Department of Education Teaching Certificate, and who successfully obtain employment as a teacher within the Alachua County Public School District, will be placed on Step 1 and advance a year of experience and skip Step 0 on the approved salary schedule.
Florida Bright Futures Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship
- 3.0 Weighted Academic GPA
- Complete 3 courses in the same CTE Pathway with an unweighted 3.5 GPA
- 30 Volunteer Hours
- ACT: Reading 19, English 17 and Math 19 or SAT: Reading 24, Writing and language 25 and math 24 or P.E.R.T: Reading 106, Writing 103 and Math 114
- Covers 100% of program of study up to 72 hours for an AS, AAS, CCV, PSAV or 60 hours of ATD
Phone: (352) 955-6707
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelors in Forensic Anthropology Masters in Special Education and Reading Teaching Certification Areas: Reading, ESE, ESOL, and Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum Girls' Weightlifting Assistant Coach (L1 Certified)
Mrs. Katherine Martinez-Malo, Director
Mrs. Martinez-Malo joined Gainesville High School in 2019. Before GHS, she worked at Buchholz High School for over 13 years as a reading teacher helping at-risk students attain their high school diplomas. Prior to BHS, Mrs. Martinez-Malo began her teaching career at PACE Center for Girls, where she fostered her love for helping students achieve their best selves. During Mrs. Malo's educational career, she has taught various subjects such as social studies, math, career and business, intensive reading, gifted reading, ESE, and AFT. Mrs. Malo attended the University of Florida, where she earned a Bachelors's with high honors in Forensic Anthropology and a Master's in Reading and ESE.
Her husband of 20+ years is a multimedia teacher at Gainesville High School, and her daughter is a reading teacher at Oak View Middle School. She also has a son that currently attends GHS.
Mrs. Malo is the Assistant Coach for the Girl's Weight Lifting team. During Mrs. Malo's spare time, she loves to run with her running group, do Crossfit at her gym, and enjoy outdoor activities with her family.
Mrs. Martinez-Malo came to Gainesville High School with hopes to be a part of the Academy of Future Teachers Program and is thrilled to become the Director for years to come. She hopes to inspire students to become passionate, innovative, and caring teachers in their future careers.
