Woodring College of Education will award Future Teachers of Color Promise Scholarships for the 2005-2006 academic year to selected students of color whose career goal is to become a classroom teacher.   The steadily increasing number of minority students in Washington State’s public schools has created a critical shortage of minority teachers.   State educational agencies, the governor, and school districts have all designated the recruitment of minority teachers as a top priority for teacher education programs. 

As the largest teacher preparation program in the state, Woodring College of Education will meet this challenge in several ways, beginning with this scholarship program.  Students who accept this award will be joining with Woodring in a “promise” agreement to maintain eligibility and enroll in one of Woodring’s three teacher education programs as soon as they have fulfilled the requirements for admission.   In exchange, Woodring will guarantee priority admission to qualified students, a faculty mentor, a faculty-assigned academic advisor, a drop-in center, a Woodring/WWU student services and support handbook, lunch with the scholarship donor, and invitations to participate in special student activities.  A report on the progress of each recipient will be provided to the scholarship donor. 

To receive this scholarship, you must meet all of the following criteria:

·       Be enrolled as a full-time Western Washington University student with sophomore status.

·       Be a student of color

·       Have potential for future academic success (based on academic history and/or recommendations from teachers/advisors)

·       Be able to communicate your desire to become a P-12 teacher (short essay on “Why I want to be a teacher”)

·       Have a complete application packet submitted by the deadline (see below)

·       If selected as a finalist, agree to an interview with the scholarship advisory board.

Scholarship awards are distributed to recipients on a quarterly basis (fall, winter, spring) and are renewable for one academic year.  To remain eligible, students must:

·      Be in good standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress (minimum 2.75 GPA) at Western Washington University with the promise of meeting Woodring College of Education admissions criteria (see web site www.wce.wwu.edu).

·       Maintain the intent of entering teacher education and applying to Wooding College of Education in a timely manner.

·       Attend seminar(s) and/or events hosted by Woodring designed to ensure student success.

·       Communicate, as requested, with a Woodring assigned mentor.

·      The selection committee will also consider financial need, if requested. Please provide pertinent information in 50 words or less with your application.

Timeline:

·      Extended application deadline – May 6, 2005

      Download pdf application form here.

·      Conditional awards announced –June 6-10, 2005

·      Confirmation of awards (including spring quarter grades) - June 27-July1

The Future Teachers of Color Promise Scholarship Program is administered through the Woodring College of Education Dean’s office. Scholarship awards are recommended by the Future Teachers of Color Promise Scholarship Advisory Board. The Advisory Board includes three WWU faculty and staff, two community representatives, and the Woodring Recruitment and Retention Coordinator. 

Contact for more information and submit completed application packets to:

Martin Chorba

Woodring College of Education

516 High St.

Bellingham, WA  98225-9088

(360) 650-7645

Martin.Chorba@wwu.edu

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