Faculty Fellows

Fa c u l t y Fe l l o w s Program Information

The First Academy is a Christ-centered, college-preparatory school serving over 1,200 Central Florida students across four academic divisions – Upper School (9th-12th), Middle School (6th-8th), Lower School (Preschool-5th), and the Extended Educational Programs (Homeschool and Special Needs).

Since our opening in 1987, TFA has continued to grow the academic, ne arts, and athletic programs that have elevated its students to the highest levels of achievement. More importantly, though, as a private school TFA has helped develop its students’ strength of character, leading these young men and women to serve others in their own community and across the globe.

The Vision

of The First Academy is to be the rst choice for families in Orlando who are

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Institutional Stability: The First Academy will aspire for excellence in every area to

seeking a Christ-centered, college-preparatory

be a role model for Christian schooling

education. Speci cally, our vision is three-fold:

nationally. We will also strive to remain a

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Spiritual Formation: The First Academy will forge an enduring partnership between church, home, and school that will produce powerful and effective

sustainable institution that impacts families for generations to come with respect to money, management, and marketing.

student leaders who will impact their world for Jesus Christ through Biblical thought and action in obedience to the Great Commandment (Mk.12:30-31) and

The Bible says, “Where there is no vision the

the Great Commission (Mt. 28:19-20).

people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). The First Academy will prayerfully pursue the

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S c h o l a s t i c E xc e l l e n c e : Th e Fi r s t Academy will attract and retain Living

above vision with a faith that is rm and a hope that endures.

Curriculum faculty and staff members who understand that rigor, relevance, and relationships in the learning process produce outstanding scholars who will be admitted to the college/university of their choosing based on a well-rounded

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record of scholastic accomplishment. fi

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Our Mission & Vision

Core Values The Core Values of The First Academy include the following

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Veracity of scripture: The Bible is the nal

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resources: Responsible management of

authority for all aspects of the Christian life

the time, talent and treasure given by God

(II Timothy 3:16-17).

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is essential for his blessings to be poured out upon us (Matthew 25:14-29).

Acceptance in a diverse community: All persons are uniquely created and given speci c gifts and abilities. Economic and

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that it partners with parents in the

provide a well-rounded learning

education of their children. The First

environment (Matthew 18:15-35).

Academy exists to complement, not compete with, the family (Psalm 127).

Leadership through service: Serving the needs of our students, our families, our community, and our fellow staff members is the ultimate test of Christian leadership (Matthew 20:25-28).

Evident commitment to family: The First Academy serves its purpose to the extent

racial diversity within The First Academy

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Uncompromising stewardship of

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Scholastic excellence: A collegepreparatory program of excellence purposefully designs academic, athletic and artistic opportunities that develop the student spiritually, mentally, physically and socially to be a leader for life (II Timothy

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2:15).

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One Purpose: Our purpose is to connect students and their families to Jesus, to others, and to God’s Truth - our mission is to make disciples who make disciples.

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Three Shared Goals: We want to make sure TFA is a great place to grow the mind, body, and spirit of each student enrolled (Lk. 2:52). We want to make sure TFA is a great place for faculty/staff to ourish in their calling (II Thess. 2:14). We want to make sure TFA is a great place for family and friends to invest their God-given resources (Prov. 21:5).

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Five Aspirations for Students: Our passion for students is to see them become 1) Devoted Christ Followers, 2) Committed Servant Leaders, 3) Respectful Relationship Builders, 4) Consistently Honest Communicators, and 5) Relentlessly Hard Workers.

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Seven Characteristics of a Living Curriculum In uencer: We (TFA Employees) encourage one a another on to good works (Heb. 10:24) because we share a passion to be 1) Christ Followers, 2) Prayer Warriors, 3) Servant Leaders, 4) Relationship Builders, 5) Faithful Encouragers, 6) Grateful Communicators, and 7) Engaging Instructors. We want our lives to be a living testimony to the grace of God (Eph. 2:8) and the joy that comes through walking with Jesus every day (Ps. 34:1).

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1357 Framework: Building a Gospel-Centered School

The Faculty Fellows Program The First Academy Faculty Fellows Program is designed to provide one year of guidance, training, mentoring and hands-on experience to recent college graduates considering a long-term career in education and teaching.

At The First Academy, the value of what happens in the classroom is much more than the curriculum, updated facilities and the latest technology. The faculty and staff that work with the students, known as Living Curriculum In uencers possess the following qualities that contribute to the success in the classroom: Christ Follower

Prayer Warrior

Faithful Encourager

Servant Leader

Grateful Communicator

Relationship Builder Engaging Teacher

Program Overview The goal of The First Academy’s Faculty Fellows program is to provide individuals with little or no prior teaching experience the opportunity to develop their skills in a Christian school environment as they progressively take on educational responsibility and independence both in and out of the classroom.

Faculty fellows are considered to be members of the school faculty and are treated as colleagues within their departments as they teach in Lower School, Middle School, or Upper School classroom settings under the advising and mentorship of highly-quali ed lead teachers. Within the program of the school, the faculty fellow team teaches with a lead teacher and progressively assumes teaching responsibilities throughout the school year under the lead teacher’s guidance. Fellows are not considered to be interns or student teachers as they gradually assume more responsibility and independence than would

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be expected in those two roles.

Program Overview Cont.

Faculty fellows are expected to take part in all school-based professional development opportunities.

Additional opportunities may be offered including but not limited to the Colson Fellows Program through the Colson Center. In addition to working in the classroom, faculty fellows will be expected to assist with coaching or sponsoring extracurricular activities each season. Fellows will also have the opportunity to lead a school-based service project as well as a student Bible study. Applications for fellows’ positions are reviewed for all academic departments and divisions.

Compensation & Bene ts •

Salary

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Opportunities to enroll in health, dental, life, vision, and long-term disability insurance plans.

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Year-long opportunities for professional development

Academic Assignments

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Every faculty fellow is assigned to one of the three divisions of The First Academy: Lower School, Middle School , or Upper School.

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Each faculty fellow is assigned to a lead teacher who helps the fellow learn the basics of teaching pedagogy, classroom management, instructional technology, and home-school communication.

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As the school year progresses and the faculty fellow shows a readiness for more instructional responsibility, the lead teacher will gradually release the fellow into assuming classroom teaching responsibilities. Most fellows are teaching at least one subject area or class by the end of the rst grading period. The faculty fellow remains under the supervision of the lead teacher throughout the full school year.

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Faculty fellows may have the opportunity to work with small groups of students throughout the year, allowing them a chance to try different instructional methods with those who are

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experiencing academic dif culty or would like to dive deeper into a subject area.

Extracurricular Opportunities •

Faculty fellows will plan and facilitate a school-sponsored service project.

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During each season, fellows assist with extracurricular activities in the areas of spiritual formation, ne arts, and athletics.

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Coaches and directors of extracurricular activities will supervise faculty fellows in an effort to expand their experience in the area of school life outside the classroom.

Spiritual Formation •

Faculty fellows will focus on Biblical Worldview Integration into daily classroom curriculum across all subject areas.

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Each faculty fellow will lead a Bible study group with students.

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Opportunities will be provided to assist with divisional chapel.

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The lead teacher will provide mentoring in the area of spiritual formation.

Professional Development Faculty fellows will take part in all new faculty orientation training.

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Opportunities will be provided for instructional technology training.

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All fellows will have access to all school-based professional development.

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Faculty fellows will be considered for selection for the Colson Fellows program.

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Opportunity to observe in multiple classrooms across divisions.

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Quali cations •

An an active, engaged Christian faith

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Successful completion (or pending completion) of an Undergraduate Degree

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Evidence of self-motivation, willingness to be a team player, and a strong sense of personal responsibility

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Must have strong con ict management and problem solving skills

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Must be a student-centered educator

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Must have excellent oral and written communication skills

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Strong time management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet

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deadlines

We Believe Statements

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Employees: We believe each of us has the personal responsibility to pursue the life of a Christfollower, prayer warrior, servant leader, relationship builder, faithful encourager, grateful communicator, and engaging in uencer (Heb 10:24).

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Teamwork: We believe our school community ourishes when we all work cooperatively, putting the needs of others before ourselves and using our God-given gifts to grow and improve while creating an environment characterized by loyalty, trust, fairness and open communication (I Cor. 12:14-18).

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Students: We believe it is God who sends us students and it is He who entrusts us with the responsibility to disciple them in becoming Christ followers, servant leaders, relationship builders, honest communicators, and hard workers for His glory (II Cor. 3:3).

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The Gospel: We believe our primary focus in the classrooms and across the campus must always and forever remain on the Gospel and the atoning grace of God through Jesus Christ because it is the only hope for mankind and because it leads to a life of devotion and service (Ephesians 2:8-10).

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In healthy relationships and organizations what we say and do align with what we believe. In pursuing a Gospel-centered School Culture where we are ourishing in our calling to be Living Curriculum In uencers we must strive daily for harmony between our words, actions, and convictions. The following statements re ect what we, as employees of The First Academy, believe must be the identi able characteristics of this ministry.

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Teaching: We believe teaching is a unique spiritual gifting and our highest calling as a school with the potential to change lives as we pray for students and integrate the Gospel using creative methods to engage the Head, Heart, Hands, and Habits of the learner (Rom. 12:6-7).

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Serving: We believe our greatest form of worship is imitating Jesus in the way that He served others by meeting their physical needs and by meeting their spiritual needs as He proclaimed the Good News (Philippians 2:1-11).

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Learning: We believe each child is uniquely created in the image of God with the potential to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man which leads us to use encouragement, differentiate instruction, and provide engaging learning experiences in every scholastic context (Luke 2:52).

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Parents: We believe parent partnership starts with nding creative ways to connect families to Jesus, the local church, and the truth of God’s Word so that we might effectively support, encourage, and equip them in ful lling their God-given responsibilities (Deut. 6:6-9).

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2667 Bruton Boulevard Orlando, FL 32805 4 0 7 . 2 0 6 . 8 6 0 2 I t h e f i r s t a c a d e m y. o r g