TECH FELLOWS 2023


Are you a Fairfax County Public Schools high school IT teacher? Consider applying for the 2023 Tech Fellows program! This multi-week program includes virtual classroom instruction to prepare for the CompTIA® IT Fundamentals (ITF+) credential exam, as well as an employer engagement opportunity with local technology employers.
 
  • Train and prepare for your CompTIA® IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification; an exam voucher is included in the program
  • Teachers receive a $5,000 stipend for participation
  • Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

“The Tech Fellows program has been extremely valuable for me in terms of knowledge, resource and exposure. The program has tremendously increased my IT knowledge. It has also equipped me to better assist my High School students to gain and deepen their knowledge in IT. I had the opportunity to prepare and take the CompTIA Exam. This experience has given me much confidence to help my Cybersecurity students prepare better for the CompTIA Exam. I eagerly look forward to attending this program every year.” – Eunice, Loudoun County HS Teacher

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Course: CompTIA® Fundamentals (ITF+)

Standards of Progress: You will earn 3.0 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) upon successful completion of the program

Textbook: You will receive a digital textbook

CertMaster: You will receive access to CertMaster, CompTIA’s virtual exam prep tool

Stipend Payment: Checks will be mailed to your home address at the conclusion of the program

Expectations:
  • You are required to attend 90% of the training program schedule; see schedule below.
  • Attend the training program online (via Zoom).
  • Schedule and take the CompTIA® Fundamentals (ITF+) exam by May 31, 2023.
  • Attend the Employer Site Visit and Tours to be held from 3 – 5 pm Monday and Wednesday, 5/22 & 5/24. Employer Site Visit and Tours may be on-site at employer locations or virtual.
  • Complete the Capstone project; see Capstone details below.
  • Attend and present your Capstone project in person at the final program session from 4 – 7 pm on May 31, 2023, at the NOVA Annandale Campus.
  • Complete the necessary onboarding paperwork for the Tech Fellows program through Northern Virginia Community College.
  • Complete any requested evaluations, surveys, and/or forms as requested by Northern Virginia Community College or Fairfax County Public Schools related to the Tech Fellows program for up to one year following the conclusion of the program.

APPLICATION

To apply for the Tech Fellows 2023 program, please complete this Application Form by March 31, 2023 After submitting your application, you will be notified by email within two weeks with information on the next steps.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

**Employer Site Visit and Tours may be on-site at employer locations or virtual.

EXAM DETAILS

CompTIA® IT Fundamentals (ITF+)
  • Maximum of 75 multiple questions.
  • There is a 60-minute time limit to complete the exam.
  • The passing score is 650 (on a scale of 900).

CAPSTONE PROJECT

Description:
This capstone project blends academic study with real-world experience. Through your engagement in the Tech Fellows Program, you will gain a better understanding of the current IT Industry needs along with the knowledge to prepare students for future careers in IT. Combining your knowledge and understanding, you will be tasked with creating a complete unit for one of the classes that either you will be teaching next year or that you would like to teach eventually.

Capstone Project Requirements:
  1. The purpose of your capstone project is to demonstrate what you have learned through your experience in the Tech Fellows program and understand how to pass that knowledge on to your students.
  2. You must have a specific purpose for the unit you will be creating.
  3. You will need to prepare a presentation to explain your project to the Tech Fellows Program committee and special guests at the closing of the program.

The Process: 
  1. Determine a topic for your unit.
  2. Create an outline of concepts that will be taught in the unit.
  3. Create a lesson plan(s) and interactive presentation for a concept(s) included in the unit.
  4. Create a lesson plan(s) for a hands-on lab(s) to include in the unit.
    • Identify any equipment needed for the lab.
    • Include previous concepts/understanding necessary for students to complete the lab.
    • Include grading rubric for the lab.
  5. Create a culminating project for your unit focused on a real-world scenario/challenge.
    • Include the grading rubric for the project.
    • Allow for student choice in project medium.
  6. Create a presentation summarizing your unit and the key components of the unit.

CONTACT

If you have questions or would like to schedule a one-on-one info session, please contact Veronica Ortiz at vortiz@nvcc.edu.

This initiative is made possible by support from the Talent Ready Initiative, Greater Washington Partnership, JP Morgan Chase & Co., FCPS, GMU, and NOVA.