Who’s Involved?

The AELA Investment in our creative leaders and staff requires the involvement and support of many others. We contract our program coordinator, we recruit mentors to match with participants, and we contract industry professional practitioners who facilitate our creative leadership training curriculum.

  • AELA training cohort consists of 7-10 creative professionals and entrepreneurs from the Orlando area. The process of becoming a participant in the Academy involves being nominated by a trusted affiliate of our organization and receiving a complete application. Once applications are submitted, a select number of applicants are interviewed for the program, and those who are selected are notified by the Program Coordinator. Qualifications for Participants include the following:

    • All Staff and Faculty are required to hold an Undergraduate Degree from an accredited university OR have the ability to show the equivalent in experience

    • All Staff and Faculty are required to complete the Field print Background Screening Process for Seminole County School Board

    • All Staff and Faculty are required to complete the 12-Month AEA Personal & Professional Development Program - within 6 - 12 months of hire

    • All Staff and Faculty are required to have 3-5 professional references and proof of your field experience

    • All Staff and Faculty are required to have an approved mentor

    • All Staff and Faculty are required to commit to 24 months of working the AEA Community

    • All Staff and Faculty are required to have a general knowledge and understanding of the Homeschool Curriculum and the AEA Arts Trajectory

  • Each participant in the AELA training is required to have a mentor. Mentors are selected by the participants, with the approval of the Program Coordinator. Mentors meet with participants on a monthly basis for one year. Qualifications for Mentors include the following:

    • Is a well respected person with proven character and integrity

    • Demonstrates a willingness to give honest feedback

    • Proven leadership qualities that will enable him/her to contribute to the participant’s growth

    • Willingness to attend a three-hour orientation session and to meet monthly with participant for at least one year

    • Demonstrates the application of AELA’s core values (Excellence, Integrity, Balance, Collaboration, Empowerment, Creativity) in his/her personal and professional life