Answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding Instructor Orientation and Responsibilities:

FMNP Instructor applications will be determined according to (i) individual qualifications, (ii) the appropriateness and sufficiency of any sponsor organization, and (iii) the mission and educational delivery needs of the FMNP.

1. Instructors must be affiliated with a parent organization that will support FMNP training conceptually and physically (classroom for 20 students, AV equipment).
2. Instructor applications will be reviewed by appropriate FMNP staff, including certified FMNP Instructors.
3. Instructors are expected to schedule and provide FMNP training (40-hr module) at least once per calendar year – flexibility exists in how classes are scheduled.
4. Multiple Instructors may be trained from each organization to assist in training, but all Instructors must have minimum qualifications, attend a 2-day Instructor Orientation, and be registered as Instructors with the FMNP. Organizations are expected to provide FMNP training only once per calendar year for a given module regardless of the number of Instructors an organization has registered. This is to promote team teaching and assist organizations in providing training opportunities that best fit their schedules and needs.
5. Instructor Organizations (not individuals) will receive financial incentives for FMNP training, currently established at $50/student.
6. FMNP Instructors from different organizations are encouraged to collaborate and assist each other in any and every way possible.
7. Instructors are encouraged to seek partnerships with local experts to assist during field trips as appropriate.
8. Additional or specialty (canoeing, boat trips, swamp buggy rides) field trips may be incorporated into training at the discretion of the Instructors, but additional trips should not be made mandatory ie: There should be no ‘extra’ charges placed upon the students.
9. FMNP Students must complete the 40 hours of training to be certified. If a student misses a class they can make special arrangements with the Instructor to: attend another FMNP class, or attend a local guided walk and make up the class work they missed with the Instructor. These arrangements are at the Instructor’s discretion and approval.
10. FMNP will assist with marketing efforts (press releases, local TV releases) and provide a marketing package (brochures, course flyers, posters, press releases) to the Instructors. FMNP Instructors have primary responsibility for promoting their classes (newsletters, mail outs, displays, hand-outs, public talks).
11. FMNP class registration is cut off 2 weeks prior to the first class date. This allows time for certificates to be made and for class materials (workbooks, record forms, patches/pins) to be mailed out to the Instructor.
12. Additional questions should be directed to FMNP support staff:

Shelby Sowder
FMNP Conference Coordinator (Instructor Financial Registration, Course Scheduling)
EMAIL: MSowder@ifas.ufl.edu PHONE: 352-392-5930 / FAX: 352-392-9734

Ginger Allen
FMNP Program Coordinator (Curriculum/media questions, general program questions)
EMAIL: gmallen@ufl.edu PHONE: 239- 658-3409 / FAX: 941-658-3469

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