Minority Teacher Scholarship Program

The Minority Teacher Scholarship Program was initiated in the spring of 1995.   Three higher institutions originally participated in the program: Drury University, Evangel University, and Missouri State University, along with partnership support from the financial community.   The scholarship was designed to provide for tuition only, with universities supporting 50% financial contributions and Springfield Public Schools and the business community each providing 25%.

Prior to the scholarship program, efforts by the Springfield Public Schools to recruit minority teachers had not met our recruitment goals.   Minority graduates of Springfield Public Schools are eligible for this program.  This program requires a long-range commitment because most students will not be available to teach in our classrooms for at least two years or at the most four years.

The purpose of this program is to promote the educational growth of minority students and to provide financial assistance to help train these students to become outstanding educators in the Springfield Public School system.

  1. Typically an applicant would complete college work within four years, but assistance would be available for a fifth year after review of extenuating circumstances.

  2. Financial aid from the Minority Teachers Scholarship Program shall not interfere with any other financial assistance that the selected student may be receiving.

  3. The student would be enrolled in a minimum of 15 hours per semester in an undergraduate program leading to teacher certification at one of the participating institutions of higher learning.

  4. A grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale must be maintained.

  5. The student must actively participate in all activities as described by the Scholarship Program Committee.

  6. Each selected student will have a mentor to serve in a supportive role.  Contact will be maintained on a weekly basis.  A mentor packet is included with the application and should be returned when the application is completed.

  7. The student’s progress will be subject to periodic review by the selection committee and/or advisory committee.  Should the student fail to meet the conditions of the Scholarship Program, the Advisory Committee shall take appropriate action to assist the student, or recommend discontinuation in the Scholarship Program.

  8. Upon completion of all undergraduate work, the student will be expected to interview with the district as part of the new teacher selection process.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Be a minority student.

  2. Attend a local high school or college.

  3. Have a grade point average of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale.

  4. Demonstrate acceptable verbal and written skills of communication.

  5. Provide two recommendations from his or her teachers verifying the potential for success in the Minority Scholarship Program.

  6. Participate in activities established by the Advisory and/or Selection committee.

  7. Sign a letter of commitment to be a professional employee in the Springfield Public School system.  This will cause one-third of the financial aid to be forgiven for each of the first three years of employment.

  8. Those who do not become professional employees for Springfield Public Schools or drop from the program will be expected to repay the financial assistance on a mutually agreed upon schedule.

Minority Scholarship Program Requirements

  1. Complete application available from the Office of Cultural Diversity of Springfield Public Schools.

  2. The preliminary interview with the Office of Cultural Diversity.

  3. Review by the Minority Scholarship Selection Committee.

Program Administration

The Minority Teacher Scholarship Program shall be administered by an Advisory Committee whose membership shall be made of Springfield Public School employees, local participating universities and community members.  Additional support will be available to recipients through the Office of Cultural Diversity.

For additional information, contact this office (523-0064)