New state scholarship program funds grants for aspiring teachers
More aspiring educators at UNLV soon will benefit from a new scholarship program designed to boost the state’s dismal teacher count.
The Teach Nevada scholarship fund, approved Nov. 12 by the Nevada State Board of Education, aims to bring more than 100 teachers to campuses across the state this year. It provides up to $3,000 per semester for students in teacher preparation programs at six institutions statewide who commit to working in Nevada’s lowest-staffed public schools.
UNLV initially planned to award 50 students this year, more than other participating institution. After filling all 50 positions and realizing some recipients didn’t need the full grant amount, the school decided to use leftover money for at least three more scholarships.
“If the money is there, we should definitely use it to pay for more teachers,” said Linda Quinn, who oversees academic and professional programs at UNLV’s school of education. “We’re so lucky we’re going to get to give out more scholarships.”
Quinn says at least seven are on a waiting list to receive a scholarship at UNLV.
La Jolla, Calif.-based National University, meanwhile, was given 25 grants to award at its Henderson campus, but it came at least six awards short of that goal. With the unused money, two other participating institutions plan to offer at least three more grants. Sierra Nevada College — which is based in Incline Village and also has a campus in Henderson — plans to dole out two more awards, while the Humboldt School District will grant one.
The education board last year voted to allocate $2.3 million for the program in an effort to bolster fast-track teacher licensing programs at the six participating institutions, including Las Vegas-based WGU Nevada. Dena Durish, who oversees educator effectiveness at the Nevada Department of Education, said the agency is working with providers to award as many grants as possible using the available money.
“We’re really excited about this opportunity,” said Katrina Midgley, who oversees the Teach Nevada program at Sierra Nevada College. She noted that recipients could begin teaching as early as August. “It’s going to greatly improve the (teacher) pipeline.”
Contact Ana Ley at aley@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512. Find @la__ley on Twitter:.
