Scholarships available for students of color who want to be teachers
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
The Oregon Teacher Scholars Program offers a $5,000-per-year scholarship, for up to two years, for linguistically or ethnically diverse teacher candidates. Students must be enrolled in an Oregon-approved teaching licensure program.
In Oregon, nearly 40% of students are ethnically diverse but only about 10 percent of teachers are, according to the 2019 Oregon Educator Equity Report. Research shows academic and social benefits for students of all races when they have teachers with diverse backgrounds.
“It is important that all students experience education from a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds so they will know that community leadership and educated people come in all colors and that the importance of a person's role in a thriving community should not be determined by the color of their skin,” said Bill Graupp, Oregon School Board Members of Color Caucus president.
The scholarship is available through the Office of Student Access and Completion. The early bird deadline is Feb. 15, and March 1 is the final deadline for all applications. The Oregon Teacher Scholars Program also provides networking and training opportunities.