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Thinking of becoming a Florida Master Naturalist Instructor?
Why should I consider becoming a FMNP Instructor?
- There is no cost to becoming a FMNP Instructor.
- FMNP Instructors will generate programmatic funds for their educational program by receiving a portion of student tuition (up
to $65/student provided to Instructor organization).
- FMNP Instructors can train their own volunteers and employees, and strengthen environmental education programs in your community by providing training to others.
- Master Naturalist Student Final Projects may benefit your organization by providing creative ideas and solutions that improve environmental education programming.
- FMNP Instructors will become part of regional and statewide efforts to create a work force of trained Master Naturalists to assist in environmental education and to promote a greater understanding of Florida’s ecosystems among residents and visitors.
What qualifications do I need and what steps do I take to
apply to become an Instructor?
- Educational requirements include a minimum of either a Bachelor’s degree
in a field of environmental science or education, or demonstrated
comparable practical experience providing environmental education programs.
- Instructors must be affiliated with an organization, agency, or group
that places a priority on science-based environmental education and is willing
to provide support for FMNP training (e.g., classroom, A/V equipment, etc.).
- Individuals interested in becoming an Instructor may apply online.
- Approval of applications will be determined by qualifications of
applicant, appropriateness of sponsor organization, and geographic
considerations. Applications undergo peer review.
- Approved FMNP Instructors must attend an FMNP Instructor training
conference call (no charge).
How long is the course, how is it structured, and how do Instructors present information?
- Each FMNP Module (Freshwater Wetlands, Coastal Systems, and Upland
Habitats) consists of 40 educational contact hours. FMNP courses can
be scheduled to best fit the needs of
Instructors and students (daily, weekly, weekends, etc.).
- Class size is limited to 20 students. Classes include classroom learning, field trips, practical interpretation skills, and group final projects. There is no final exam.
- All FMNP materials (four videos, 12 slide presentations, Instructor and Student manuals) and details on their use are provided at no cost to Instructors.
- FMNP materials cover ecology, habitats, wildlife, interpretation, ethics, and other topics to train Master Naturalist students to assist with environmental education programs.
- FMNP materials are designed to assist Instructors to personalize training to their region while still providing a statewide perspective on Florida environments, ecological processes, and conservation issues.
What do videos include?
- Each module includes four videos. For example, the Freshwater Wetlands
module includes videos describing Florida’s Marshes, Swamps, and Permanent Wetlands, plus a video that explores past, present, and future perspectives and actions of
society and wetlands in Florida.
What are the responsibilities of FMNP Instructors?
- Instructors are expected to provide at least one class per year. Additional
classes may be scheduled as desired.
- Instructors submit an Instructor Booking Form (available
here) no later than six weeks prior to
the start of an FMNP class. The Instructor Booking Form includes information
and a schedule to be posted on the FMNP Registration website.
- Student registration is performed on-line and is not the responsibility of Instructors.
- A list of student participants, along with student workbooks, are mailed to Instructors
one week prior to the class start date.
- Completion certificates and pins are mailed for each graduating student
one week prior to the end of the class.
- Instructors lead classroom lectures, discussions, and field trips, and monitor students’ progress and attendance, and assist in completion of Final Projects as necessary.
- Upon completion of the course, Instructors submit a list of successful and unsuccessful FMNP students, and return unused student manuals, pins, and patches to the University of Florida Conference Coordinator to initiate tuition incentive payments.
- All successful Master Naturalists and all FMNP Instructors will be registered in a University of Florida database for reference purposes.
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