Instructional Internships at FLVS

Internships with FLVS

Placing your Interns with FLVS has its advantages:

FLVS can host most internship levels year-round
FLVS interns have flexible hours based on their specific instructional situation
FLVS provides interns with instructional strategies for teaching in a virtual and blended environment
FLVS engages in best practices tailored to meet Florida Educator Accomplished Practices

An Internship opportunity at FLVS

is only available to students actively enrolled in an education degree program which requires an instructional internship for graduation or an EPI (Educator Preparation Institute)
is only available to Florida residents
is a non-paid position
is not a guarantee for future employment with FLVS
satisfies the Florida state requirement for certification
requires the intern to complete a background clearance/fingerprint specifically for FLVS via Fieldprint. Each prospective intern will be responsible for scheduling the services offered through Fieldprint. FLVS cannot accept results or fingerprints from another company, district or organization.

Distinctive Characteristics

Due to the unique educational model employed at FLVS, there are some essential practices that potential qualified pre-service teachers need to consider before applying to our school for their internship.

Interns should/are expected to:

Display an interest in developing their presentation skills.
Enjoy being on camera as it helps to engage students.
Have strong time management skills and possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
Adhere to the same turnaround time as teachers for answering communication from students or parents and submitting graded assignments. We require a response to student or parent communication within 24 hours, and we require that assignments must be graded with individualized feedback within 48 hours.
Attend all scheduled meetings on time.
Study and learn course lessons and content in their assigned subject in order to provide specific feedback and support to the student.
Utilize FLVS grading rubrics and follow grading expectations outlined in the FLVS Internship handbook.
Be able to quickly master technical skills such as using Google for Education, Microsoft Suite, Zoom, Outlook, etc.
Be capable of spending approximately 50-75% of their internship on the phone and/or computer as our teachers communicate with students and parents one-on-one to provide them with a personalized educational experience.

In consideration of all the needed skills listed above, if you have a disability that qualifies for ADA accommodations, FLVS will provide those accommodations to as great an extent as possible and fully within the requirements of the law. Please notify us in advance if ADA accommodations are needed.

Level I Internships

Level I instructional interns (Juniors) work with certified FLVS Clinical Educators for approximately 7 weeks and average 16 hours of experience per week. Working from home and mirroring the flexible schedule of our instructors provides the perfect environment for interns to observe best practices for assessment, feedback, and monitoring student progress. They are provided access to FLVS’ instructional tools such as the learning management system (Educator) and Zoom, an online collaboration tool. FLVS instructors lead Level 1 interns through effective teaching strategies in an online environment, provide opportunities for interns to create and implement lessons with FLVS students, as well as grading student assessments.

Level II Internships

Level II instructional interns (Seniors/Graduate Students) work with certified FLVS Clinical Educators for approximately 15 weeks, 40 hours per week. Working from home and mirroring the flexible schedule of our instructors provides the perfect environment for interns to observe best practices for assessment, feedback, and monitoring student progress. FLVS instructors lead Level II interns through effective teaching strategies in an online environment. With access to FLVS instructional tools – Educator, VSA and Zoom, Level II interns have an opportunity to take over at least one full segment of instruction. During their internships, interns assume responsibility for grading, daily contact with students and parents, creating and implementing lessons, and attending all meetings with their FLVS instructor.

EPI (Education Preparation Institute) Placement

Anticipated Length: 5-10 weeks / 10 hours per week (hours/weeks may vary by program)

The EPI pre-service candidate has an opportunity to engage in a virtual internship from their own home mirroring the flexible schedule of their certified FLVS Clinical Educator. They are provided access to FLVS’ instructional tools such as the learning management system (Educator) and Zoom, an online collaboration tool.

The pre-service candidate is led one-on-one by a certified FLVS Clinical Educator on effective teaching strategies in an online environment including assessment, feedback, and monitoring of student progress. The EPI pre-service candidate has an opportunity to perform light grading of student’s assessments as well as creating and teaching lessons virtually to FLVS students.

Testimonials

“The skills our interns learn are invaluable to all teachers who work on-line or in the traditional classroom. Learning to focus on individual student needs and keep track of each student's progress is a tool I wish I had known when managing a traditional classroom. ” Esther Branch - FLVS Pre-Algebra Instructor

“I believe the internship experience at FLVS is invaluable. Allowing interns to experience teaching in a virtual setting is so important. My intern is really hoping to be hired on with FLVS. She was amazed at the level of connections that could be made with students over the phone and through live lessons and help sessions. She formed a great rapport with many students and parents in my class; so much so that she wants to stay in touch with me to hear about the success of the students. I learned new ways of doing things from my intern because I had an open mind. She learned my way of teaching and was able to put her own twist on it.” Jamie Lundy - FLVS Language Arts Instructor

“My supervising teacher was extremely adept at scaffolding the online teaching process. Allowing me to first shadow an activity, then allowing me to lead the activity with her support, and finally, when I was ready, she let me take the full lead.

I was exposed to online teaching technology, discussion-based assessments, ways to maintain close student connections, encouraging a growth mind-set, and essentially taught to teach successfully in the FLVS online environment. I believe these skills will serve me well in ANY teaching arena but are especially pertinent to an online classroom where my interests are focused. I would, and have already, recommended this to my friends, and cohorts at school.” Greg DeCosmo

“Through the FLVS internship, pre-service teachers gain invaluable experience and confidence being able to communicate directly with parents and build meaning relationships for a strong partnership. These types of ongoing parent/teacher interactions and partnerships are minimal and rare in the brick and mortar environment.”Nicole Hatfield - English II Instructor

“I believe this is the most important thing you can learn from and/or at FLVS. The student is first and every individual student is important. They are not numbers or a part of large class, rather they are individuals with unique learning styles and abilities that we address through one-on-one teaching.” ~ T. Johnson

“Upon completion of my internship I truly felt I had a good understanding of what teaching online would be like if I were to accept a position with FLVS. I gained a better appreciation for the job requirements and the professionalism of the instructors. Working with the students was enjoyable and I had a new appreciation for their commitment to learning through the FLVS program. I very much appreciated the experience and feel it will serve me in my future teaching endeavors.”~ EPI Intern

“…I believe all interns regardless of their planned teaching choice would benefit from being exposed to an FLVS internship experience. It can serve as an eye opener to those educators reluctant to accept and embrace that technology is already not only part of our everyday life so strongly that we don’t even realize it.” ~ J. Chacon, UCF Intern

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About the Internship Program

History