Florida Institute for the Advancement of Teaching (FIAT)

AIT (Accelerated Induction into Teaching)

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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enter AIT Application

COE “Working with Cassie was a mentor's dream job! AIT is a wonderful program with highly-qualified and highly-motivated students dedicated to being the best possible teachers. Everyone wins---the students, the school, the beginning teacher, and, of course, the mentor.”
Joyce Beck,
AIT Mentor

COE "The AIT program was the most valuable opportunity given to me by the College of Education. The combination of real classroom experience, along with an experienced mentor, provided me with the greatest possible preparation for my career."
Zachary Goldstein,
English Education, AIT, 2011

Enter AIT Application

Accelerated Induction into Teaching (AIT) FAQs

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.

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. Copy of College of Education Program Sheet with advisor signature
2. An unofficial transcript
3. Copies of EDG 3323 (ETP I) final evaluation and EDG 3324 (ETP II) midterm
4. If you are a secondary major, a copy of ESE 3940 midterm
5. Two professional references ( using the AIT Reference Form) from College of Education faculty, professors in content areas (for secondary students), clinical educators, teachers or administrators who know your competency in the classroom
6. The AIT Application Information Sheet
7. A picture of yourself (no larger than 3”x3” in size)

Submit the documents listed above to FAU College of Education, FIAT, Room 340, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431

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. Approval from FAU's College of Education Departmental Review

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.

What type of picture should I include in my packet and why do you need it?

The picture assists to identify applicants and may be digital or standard, similar to a passport photo. It should reflect the professional dress code for a teacher. The picture will not be returned.

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 a 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. AIT teacher candidates have a thorough awareness of Florida’s Educator Accomplished Practices (EAP) at the pre-professional level.
5. AIT teacher candidates exhibit 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. 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.