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Partners in Education: Scholarships Offered to Public School Teachers

Posted on: Sunday, 29 January 2006, 15:00 CST

By TERI THOMSON RANDALL

About one-third of our public-school teachers have earned masters' degrees or higher. That's less than the statewide average of 38 percent. Last spring, about three out of four core academic classes in our school district were taught by what the state calls "Highly Qualified Teachers" -- that is, teachers who have completed coursework specific to the subject area that they are teaching. This qualification is important in middle- and high-school education, when the material becomes more complex, and also in the field of bilingual education.

Teachers' pursuit of advanced degrees improves the quality of education in our classrooms and has other benefits as well. It sets the example of lifelong learning for our children. Also, teachers with advanced degrees are paid more and have more incentive to stay in the profession. And finally, the better the qualifications of our teachers, the more money our school district receives from the state.

Many of our teachers are working toward higher education or specialized certification, but the costs of tuition, travel and books can be difficult to manage on a teacher's salary. Our school district provides some tuition assistance for teachers becoming highly qualified or bilingual certified.

Another source of assistance is the Teacher Opportunity Grants program of Partners in Education. These scholarships, ranging from $200 to $500, are generously sponsored by First Community Bank, donor Sallie Bingham and an anonymous donor.

Partners in Education is accepting applications for these grants for coursework taken during the 2005-06 school year. Both public- school teachers and educational assistants seeking higher education or specialized certification during the 2005-2006 school year are invited to apply.

Applications must be submitted to the Santa Fe Public Schools Office of Community Services by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Application packets must contain the following: Current resume; current transcript(s) of course work and grades; a short letter describing your educational goals, field of study and need for assistance; two letters of recommendation, one from your immediate Santa Fe Public Schools supervisor and one from another SFPS employee; receipt or proof of payment for course enrollment; and your current course schedule.

In selecting recipients for these scholarships, preference is given to educational assistants working toward a teaching degree. Preference is also given to individuals who have worked in the Santa Fe Public Schools for at least three years and individuals who are pursuing bilingual certification or special-education degrees. Questions about this application process can be directed to Stella Gonzales at 467-2028.

If you would like to sponsor a Teacher Opportunity Grant, please contact Teri Thomson Randall at Partners in Education, 474-0240 or trandall@sfpartnersineducation.org.

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Partners in Education is now accepting nominations for seven Teachers Who Inspire Awards. Six $1,000 awards, including the Noah Rodriguez Endowment for Excellence in Teaching sponsored by the Santa Fe Community Foundation, will be made to public school teachers. There is also one award of $500 for a teacher with less than three years of experience.

Nominees must be full-time, certified teachers in Santa Fe's public schools with plans to continue teaching here for at least one more year. To nominate a teacher, follow this format in a maximum of two pages: 1. Nominee's name and school. 2. Nominator's name and school. 3. Nominee's background; include the number of years teaching in Santa Fe, subjects and grade levels taught. 4. In what ways does this teacher inspire kids to make them want to come to class and learn? Include anecdotes that support this. 5. How does this teacher help and inspire other teachers (and the school and the school system)? 6. In what ways does this teacher work with parents and the community at large? Include details.

Nominations must be received in the Partners in Education office by 4 p.m. on March 31. Don't tell anyone about your nomination -- we would like it to be a surprise.

Founded in 1988, Partners in Education works to improve the quality of public school education by linking the community with its schools, providing teachers and their students with the materials, equipment and services they need. For more information, contact 474- 0240 or trandall@sfpartnersineducation.org.

Source: The Santa Fe New Mexican

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