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See Sponsor
Guidelines for Participating in GIFT
2008
For
the online “2008 Position Description” form
Click Here!.
Why Sponsor a GIFT
Fellow?
GIFT
Sponsors have the opportunity to share with a teacher
the applications of science, mathematics, and technology
in “real world” inquiry, problem solving and reasoning.
The teacher and sponsor work together integrating new
perspectives, knowledge and insights gained from the
internship into the classroom. Benefits of
participation include:
•
A
GIFT teacher who is an enthusiastic and motivated
employee bringing a new perspective and a unique set of
skills to the work environment.
•
A
GIFT teacher gains new insights to the world of research
and business and shares their experience with hundreds
of students per year.
•
The
potential for sponsor involvement in the classroom and
interaction with students through field trips and guest
speaking engagements.
•
An
opportunity to foster interactions between teachers,
businesses and universities.
•
A
role in a systemic change that leads to students being
better prepared for the workforce and more aware of
career opportunities in mathematics, science and
technology.
Watch a short video to see an overview of the program:
http://stream.gatech.edu/departments/icpa/gift/gift-short_380k.mov
Watch these informative video clips to assist with the
development of GIFT Position Descriptions:
Previous Mentor
Comments:
“Be
aware of the talent and enthusiasm the teacher brings to
the work place. The teachers are capable of very
extensive and complicated projects and are very
self-directed.”
“Be
open to new ideas and to the experience, because I feel
that the teachers bring a fresh and different experience
to the workplace.”
“Design a meaningful, challenging project. Give the
teacher the tools and the conceptual framework to
understand the project’s significance.”
“The GIFT teacher provided a different, external
perspective during problem solving sessions and team
meetings.”
Comments from a
GIFT Corporate Mentor:
“I
was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with an
extremely talented and dedicated teacher that had the
benefit of also having worked in an industrial setting
in a prior career. In my corporate role, I conduct a
great deal of training. I was able to gather many new
ideas with regard to my role in just discussing how the
fellow was preparing to share what she learned with her
students.
Working with the GIFT program allows a company to
provide opportunities to teachers to take risks and
expand their horizons beyond the school and the realm of
academia. It also allows the teachers to provide
companies opportunities to take risks and expand their
horizons beyond the marketplace and into the schools. By
working with one teacher, a company can feasibly touch
the lives of over 100 students in a given school year.
Imagine the possibilities that can grow from an
opportunity like that!”
Sponsor
Guidelines for Participating in GIFT
2008
Please
refer to the following guidelines and suggested
timeframe for the selection of a GIFT Fellow. It is our
goal to complete the selection process by the first week
in May. Refer to GIFT Calendar for the dates of sponsor
orientation and other important dates. For a more
detailed explanation for “new sponsors” please
click here. The 2008 Sponsor Guidelines
provides an overview of the steps of sponsorship -
download the 2008 Sponsors' Guide.
Resources
2008 Sponsors' Guide
Corporate letter of Intent
University letter of Intent
Offer letter template
2008 Mentor Handbook
Timeline for Sponsorship
1.
January
– March:
Coordinator from sponsoring organization completes and
submits “Letter of Intent” to GIFT Program Coordinator.
Identify a Mentor who will work with the teacher during
the summer internship.
Download
Corporate letter of Intent here or the
University letter of Intent here
2.
February – April:
Mentor defines a job or project that the teacher will
complete during the summer and then completes the online
“2008 Position Description” form. The form can be
accessed at this link:
Click Here!.
GIFT Program Coordinator will notify you via e-mail when
teacher applications are available to view. Applications
are placed on the “job board” which is located on the
site where the job description was completed. Clicking
on the names of teachers listed allows the application
to be viewed.
If you are a previous sponsor and you need your ID
number please contact Merideth Durrah at 404 894-9143 or
via e-mail at
merideth.durrah@ceismc.gatech.edu.
3.
February – April:
Mentor
reviews GIFT applications when they are received and
selects applicants to interview. Mentor informs GIFT of
the applicants that have been selected for an
interview. Two to three interviews per available
position are recommended. There will be an
information session for sponsors on April 24th.
4.
March –
May:
Mentor
arranges and conducts interviews. GIFT staff is
available should assistance be needed in scheduling
interviews. It is recommended you interview teachers in
person to find out more about their background and
compatibility with the work environment. Should your
position description require specific skills, clarify
with the applicant their understanding of applications
of software and use of equipment.
5.
April –
May:
Send an
offer letter to the teacher selected with a copy sent to
GIFT. The teacher is responsible for signing and
sending letter back to CEISMC in order to confirm
placement.
Download offer letter template here. (attach new
document here)
6.
April –
May:
Invite
teacher to visit work site and provide background
information about your company and the project the
teacher will work on during the summer. If possible,
visit teacher’s classroom during the school year.
7.
The GIFT Mentor Handbook provides more guidelines about
mentoring a teacher during the summer:
Download the 2008 Mentor Handbook here
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