Florida-Georgia Alliance for Minority Participation

Teacher Preparation Component
Dr. William Castine
Program Director

FGAMP-TP Goals

  1. To increase the number of minority teacher education graduates certified to teach science and mathematics.
  2. To provide a continuum whereby prospective science and mathematics teachers will receive early classroom exposure.

Members of this Alliance include the following institutions:

Each member institution has identified an FGAMP coordinator and a TP liaison person. The two individuals work closely together to identify student participants and to facilitate implementation of the TP component. Overall TP activities are coordinated through Florida A&M University, the FGAMP host institution.

Student Enrichment Activities

Activities supported by the FGAMP-TP component include coursework in the SEM areas, professional development seminars, mentoring, participation in state and regional meetings, field trips, and internship experiences. The academic components include work in science, mathematics, communication skills, technical/scientific writing, and computer applications beyond that required for the baccalaureate degree. Exposure to critical thinking skills, college survival skills, interdisciplinary problem solving, and teacher shadowing are also key features in the TP experience.

Tours of the Supercomputer Research Institute, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, the FAMU Observatory, the FSU Planetarium, and the Tallahassee Museum of Science and Natural History provide relevancy to classroom activities. FGAMP-TP graduates will have an opportunity to participate in training in Teaching Effectiveness and Classroom Handling or Project TEACH which facilitate new teachers' introduction into the classroom.

Bridging Activities

In developing the academic and related experiences, including the field trips, bridges were established within and among institutions of higher education and local school districts, national laboratories, community agencies and private businesses.

Another type of bridging involves collaboration with the Florida Higher Education Consortium (HEC) for Mathematics and Science, a group of more that 500 individuals from community colleges, universities and K-12 schools in the State of Florida who share a common interest in improving teacher education in mathematics and science.