Today@Sam Article

SHSU Partners With Raising Texas Teachers Initiative To Offer New Scholarship

May 3, 2021
SHSU Media Contact: Wes Hamilton

Sam Houston State University’s College of Education has been preparing educators since becoming the first teacher training institution in the state of Texas in 1879. Thanks to a new partnership with the Raising Texas Teachers initiative, there has never been a better time to become a teacher in the state of Texas.

SHSU is now officially a partner university of Raise Your Hand Texas, which makes an incredible scholarship opportunity available to Bearkats. The Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers – one component of the Raising Texas Teachers initiative – is designed to encourage the best and brightest students to consider a future in the teaching profession.

Learn more about the Charles Butt Scholarship for aspiring teachers

The scholarship provides $8,000 in annual funding for up to four years, as well as ongoing professional development opportunities, mentorships from sitting public school educators, and participation in a statewide aspiring teachers network facilitated by the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation. Stacey Edmonson, dean of the College of Education, worked closely with Sandra Stewart, associate dean of Educator Preparation, to secure this partnership for future Bearkat Educators.

The deadline for applications for the Fall 2021 semester is May 7, 2021. All SHSU COE students seeking certification in EC-6, EC-6 Bilingual, EC-12 Special Education or 4-8 programs are encouraged to apply.

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Aspiring teachers can apply in the fall of any year between their senior year of high school and junior year of college. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be committed to teaching in a majority-economically disadvantaged school or in a shortage subject area (in a school where more than 50% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, or as a math, science, bilingual, or special education teacher) in a Texas public school. Preference is given to Texas residents.

Approximately 100 new scholarships are awarded through teacher preparation programs at 10 partner universities each year, with the cohort growing to include 500 scholars annually. The competitive selection process includes an application, pre-screening by university teams, and a daylong event consisting of a group activity, mock teaching lesson, and panel interview.

Cover photo by Taylor Wilcox on Unsplash  

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