Educators are the backbone of our country. They are shaping the minds of our children and reaching them in ways that no others can. And there are classrooms in America that really need fine educators to help the students thrive. You could be that educator that makes the difference.
Have you ever thought about going for your master's in education? Maybe you have your undergraduate degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics and want to gain further knowledge, or maybe you want to make a career change and going back to school will help you reach your goal. Then you should consider going to Valparaiso University's Graduate School.
When you go to graduate school you can get more specific in a field of your choice. You can hone skills that you have learned during your undergrad, make new discoveries with a career change, and broaden your perspectives in life and work. With a multitude of degrees and certificates to choose from, you can find and begin whatever journey you wish at VU.
Getting more specific, VU has an excellent opportunity for those who wish to dedicate themselves to the education field. They are one of six college in Indiana that offer the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship. The goal of the Fellowship is to put talented and committed people with backgrounds in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields into teaching roles within high-need Indiana secondary schools.
"This program is deigned for aspiring teachers," Delphina Hopkins-Gillispie, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of Licensure and Director of the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Program at VU said. "When people get out into the workforce they sometimes realize that they want to give back to society and they find that they aren't happy with their job. They decide that teaching is the right course for them because they believe that they can make a difference and contribute to society."
The Fellowship was launched in 2009 and is funded through multi-million dollar grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. It is a very selective program that seeks bright and high-achieving individuals to take part in an intensive classroom experience with classes that are taught by highly trained and knowledgeable Valparaiso University professors at the VU Campus, online, and onsite at partnering schools.
"It is a very prominent foundation," Zsuzsanna Szaniszlo, PhD, Assistant Deana at VU said. "The goal is to address societal It was created around the second world war when there weren't enough people getting degrees to teach in colleges. They recently identified STEM teaching is a huge problem in schools. Five years ago they began the first program in Indiana and they have branched out to other states."
To be eligible, one must be either a college senior, a graduate, or one looking for a career change who has an undergrad in the STEM fields. He or she must have graduated with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and show strong commitment and potential to teaching in high-need schools in the urban and rural areas.
Those who are chosen to be part of the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship receive a $30,000 scholarship from the Fellowship as well as a $6,500 scholarship from VU. Participants are committed to teach for three years at an urban or rural school and will continue to receive mentoring and support from experienced professionals.
The final application deadline is January 31, 2015 so be sure to apply now.
Valparaiso University is ranked 5th in the Midwest as Best College according to News & World Report, Forbes states that it is among the top 100 universities in the Midwest, it holds the prestigious Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization, and boasts many other awards and recognitions. With this knowledge in hand, you can rest assured that your education and future is in good hands at Valparaiso University.
For more information on the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship, click here.