Visiting Practitioners Program - Instructor Information

Over 60,000 students attend Florida Community College each year - and every one of them needs the motivation and vision that Jacksonville-area business and community leaders. Our ability to integrate the knowledge and experience of professionals into students' educational experiences is vital to their success. Through the Visiting Practitioners Program, you can provide a critical link to the "real world" that our students need to stay motivated, focused, and on track toward their career goals. The knowledge that a professional can pass on to our students provides them with insight that could give them a competitive advantage when they enter the market place.

A survey of faculty, conducted early in 2001, indicated that many instructors were already inviting area professionals into their classrooms with great success. Many other faculty members said they would consider inviting professionals to visit their classes if assistance in coordinating such an effort could be provided. As a result, the Visiting Practioners Program was born. This program connects faculty with business and community leaders who want to share their expertise and experience with our students.

Benefits of the Visiting Practitioners Program

Working with visiting practitioners allows you to provide another learning dimension in your classroom. Professionals from the community have current knowledge and experience that isn't available in a textbook. The program also provides a great opportunity for students to network with practicing professionals who could provide future employment.

Inviting a visiting practitioner to your classroom is a creative way to bring the "real world" to your students. But arranging for someone to speak or conduct a student activity can be time-consuming. The Visiting Practitioners Program is designed to allow you to do what you do best - teach. We bring the volunteers to you, and there's very little administration required on your part.

Some local businesses currently participating in the program:

• Bank of America
• Claude Nolan Cadillac
• Duval Public Schools
• Kaman Aerospace Corporation
• Lutheran Social Services
• Ponte Vedra Interiors & Gallery, Inc.
• Shands Jacksonville
• Weather Engineers

Recruitment of Visiting Practitioners

Visiting practitioners are recruited through new and existing partnerships with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, program advisory committees, the College's Employer Network, local business associations, and employer organizations. Another key to successful recruitment for the program is ongoing referrals. If you know professionals that may want to contribute their time and bring their practical experiences to our students, let us know. We'll contact that person and invite them to enroll in the program.

How Volunteers Become Visiting Practitioners

It's easy to become a visiting practitioner. Interested professionals can download and complete the simple application form (requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader).

How do I use the Program?

Simply contact your CDC coordinator who will assist in matching a practitioner with your needs. The Career Development staff will provide you with background, availability and contact information for an individual that meets your criteria. Visiting practitioner information is maintained by the CDC.

During the initial contact, usually a phone conversation, you should discuss the professional's interest in participating, your ideas for a visit, a schedule and agenda. This is your chance to ask questions and gain insight into the person. It may also be helpful to provide them with background on the class and any other information that you think will help make the visit a success.

If you would like to recommend a practitioner, please print the referral form and send it to your CDC coordinator, and they will add the recommended person's name to the database. After the Visiting Practitioner has visited your class, please print out, complete and send the feedback form to your CDC coordinator.

Prepare the students

"Will we be graded on this?" If you say no, you should rethink the purpose of the speaker's visit. If the speaker is there truly to enhance the quality of the students' learning experience, then why should this information be excluded from their assessment?

Advice to share

• Send the speaker a copy of the related readings that the students will have done in preparation for the lecture.
• Send the speaker an outline of the key points you would like covered, or discuss this in detail and have the speaker send you an outline, so there are no surprises.
• Do a brief but meaningful introduction of the speaker and the topic at the end of the class that precedes the guest lecture. This prepares the students for what to expect and enables them to begin thinking about questions to ask the guest.
• Try to meet with the speaker before the semester begins; ask for biographical material to use in your introduction and inquire about audiovisual equipment needs. Send out a packet of information, including details about the class. Time and location of the classroom are obvious.

Appreciation

Take this opportunity to teach your students the value of the appropriate classroom etiquette of respect and courtesy when interacting with a guest speaker. Make sure they know that sincere applause is a sign of appreciation at the end of a talk. Encourage them to stay after class, shake hands with the speaker, and offer a personal "thank you." Let them know that a speaker is usually flattered by students' questions and requests for advice. Either the instructor or a student should escort the speaker to the door and say a final "good bye." Give the speaker's name and address to the class, so that students who found the presentation particularly beneficial can write a thank-you note on their own.

Visiting practitioners also deserve a formal appreciation note card or other recognition. We plan to form a database of speakers with contact information, speaking dates, and willingness to return, and we can easily generate thank-you letters and other correspondence. If time off was required from the speaker's employer, also send a note of thanks to the employer. This makes it easier to schedule future presentations.

In Conclusion

Visiting practitioners provide an important perspective in any field. The variety of settings and the diversity of activities can be described best in a personalized account. Keep in mind, too, that you are giving visiting practitioners the opportunity to contribute to the education of interested college students in their community.