Today@Sam Article

SHSU Partnership Offers Scholarship Opportunity For Teachers

Dec. 10, 2021
SHSU Media Contact: Wes Hamilton

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

Sam Houston State is 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.

This fall, 32 Bearkat students received a scholarship. All are COE students seeking certification in EC-6, EC-6 Bilingual, EC-12 Special Education or 4-8 programs. The application deadline to be considered for the next cohort of scholars is December 17.

“We are honored to be selected as a high-quality teacher preparation program that can offer such an amazing opportunity to our students as we prepare the next generation of teacher leaders,” said Helen Berg, assistant dean of Learning Initiatives and Student Success.

According to Berg, the main purpose of the program is to recruit the most promising teacher candidates into schools with the greatest need. A primary focus is to award scholarships to students that are committed to teaching in either majority economically disadvantaged schools or shortage subject areas.

The scholarship provides $8,000-$10,000 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, the, now retired, former associate dean of Educator Preparation, to secure this partnership for future Bearkat Educators.

This past October, the College of Education hosted the first event for all the scholars to meet and to honor Stewart for her commitment to bringing the scholarship opportunity to SHSU.

Charles Butt Scholars with Dr. Stewart

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. For more information visit Charles Butt Scholarship for aspiring teachers website.

Learn more about the Charles Butt Scholarship for aspiring teachers

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