Academy for Future Teachers 2017

Welcome to AFT!
Do you think you'd make a good teacher? Come find out!
The Academy for Future Teachers is designed for bright, talented, and diverse high school students seriously considering a career teaching math or science in an urban environment or a math or science career. At AFT, students collaborate with public school teachers and university faculty as they develop teaching skills, go on field trips, and build an appreciation for the value of professional  and academic preparation. Math and science concepts are reinforced as participants practice presentation skills which they use every week when they teach real students. Teamwork and leadership are emphasized.


The AFT Experience
The Academy for Future Teachers is an intense, three week, five days a week initiative held at Georgia State University from 8:00 am to 1:15 pm. The Academy is FREE to its students. Each participant (who provides a social security number) receives a $200 stipend for full and complete participation in all three weeks.

A new view of teaching

• Entry level college classroom experiences facilitated by university level faculty and K-12 teachers
• Classroom planning and management from the educator's perspective
• Instruction and review of elementary as well as secondary science and mathematics concepts
• Personal, scholastic, and professional development and growth
• Teaching and leadership skills development

Communication in and out of the classroom

• Recognizing how one's own style affects your students and others
• Leadership in school and community
• Team-building and diversity appreciation

Learning Styles and Strategies

• Art and science in education
• Establish and maintaining orderly and efficient classrooms
• How personality types influence teaching and learning

Program Conversations

• Differentiated instruction
• Professional practices
• Classroom behavioral management
• Culturally relevant pedagogy
• Diverse learning styles

Why participate in the AFT?

Students who participate in the AFT...

• teach real students every week
• meet and get to know other high school students from throughout metro Atlanta
• experience a college setting and interact with college faculty
• enhance team building skills
• discover more about what it means to be a teacher, an urban educator, and a professional
• connect with a network of professionals for mentoring and other support as you enter college and a teacher educator program 

Student Eligibility

First Year Applicants: Preference is given to rising juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0, but rising sophomores who are mature, have exceptional grades or teacher prep coursework, and service-based ethic are considered on an individual and space-available basis.

GPA: While a 3.0 (equivalent) is recommended for the math and science concepts presented, this is a preference, not a requirement. Relevant qualifications, activities, and recommendations will be considered.

Any student from the greater metro Atlanta region may apply. While most participants are urban 

Atlanta students, AFT highly values a large, diverse community drawn from urban and suburban counties. DeKalb County, Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton County, City Schools of Decatur, Cobb County, Fulton County, and Gwinnett County are just some who have been represented over the years.

Applying for AFT

Applications are posted at http://education.gsu.edu/AFT

Forms may be completed online then printed to add the required original signatures. They may also be printed as-is and legibly completed in ink. Attach both essays, then submit entire packet by email scan (single document preferred), post mail, hand-delivery, or fax. Counselors and/or teachers may send recommendations and records separately; these are required for evaluation. Upon acceptance, a confirmation of plans to participate will be requested of the student.

Early is best: Beginning in December, completed applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. All completed application packets will be acknowledged within 7 days. Reviews will continue until seats are filled and students have confirmed. Applications commonly arrive from late January through late April. After AFT is full, applicants who otherwise qualify will be offered the option to be wait-listed. No matter what the date, apply now.

Student Attendance Commitment:

Dates of AFT 2017: June 5-23, 2017; Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 1:15pm; Five days a week for three weeks

All participants are expected to be present from 8:00am to 1:00pm every day of the program. Late arrivals (after 8:18am) and departures prior to 1:00pm (lunch release) must be excused. To receive student stipend of $200, full daily attendance is expected.

More Information 

Website: http://education.gsu.edu/AFT

Contact Information

Laurie Forstner, AFT Director

Email: lforstner@gsu.edu

Office: 404-413-8121

Fax: 404-413-8103

GSU CEHD Dean's Office

AFT2017 - Attn: L. Forstner

P.O. Box 3980

Atlanta, GA 30302-3980