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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 into a teacher’s perspective
- Learn how to be more extroverted
- Interact with people outside of your academic classes
- Career-based magnet program
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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 educational industry. In the 2022-2023 school year, AFT offered WordPress to all grade levels and successfully certified 49 AFT academy students. Keep an eye out for new certifications in the near future that will make students more marketable in the work force.
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.
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- Public Speaking
- Lesson Planning
- Classroom Management
- Leadership Skills
- Team Building Skills
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 taught social studies and 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 25+ years is a multimedia teacher at Gainesville High School, and her daughter is an Alachua County Teacher for the Visually Impaired. She also has a son who is currently attending Santa Fe College in the nursing field.
Mrs. Malo believes in the power of sports and extracurricular activities. She actively supports the Girl's Weight Lifting team as an Assistant Coach.
Mrs. Martinez-Malo came to Gainesville High School with hopes of being a part of the Academy of Future Teachers Program and is thrilled to be the Director for years to come. Her goal is to help Alachua County "grow their own teachers." She also hopes to inspire students to become passionate, innovative, confident and caring teachers in their future careers.
