ONLINE POST-BABACCALAUREATE TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM SMILE yce Scholars Program Application Introduction: Rio Salado College is soliciting applicants for the Science and Math Innovative Learning Environments (SMILE) for Encore careers in Education program. The NSF yce Teacher Scholar Program is an articulated program through the Rio Salado College post-baccalaureate teacher preparation program for Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematic (STEM) professionals. The yce program is dedicated to helping STEM professionals transition to careers teaching math and science in high-need secondary schools. This NSF program is committed to recruiting, training, and supporting STEM professionals who join the teaching profession. Building the knowledge, skills and practices for these future teachers, will lead to increased student learning in math and science for Arizona schools. The yce Scholars Program is seeking qualified STEM professionals to participate in a 12-month certification program. In addition to full tuition and fees, the program provides stipend disbursements for a two-year commitment to a high-need Arizona STEM teacher assignment. To be eligible, applicants must complete a preliminary screening application. PHASE I. The yce Scholars must meet the following criteria: Be a citizen of the United States, national, or a permanent alien (provide birth certificate, passport, or proof of naturalization). Scholar must complete the HB2008 - Maricopa Community Colleges Student Declaration of Citizenship or Status form. Only those with a lawful presence in the US may qualify for Maricopa County Community College District scholarships or federal financial aid. Any information you provide about your legal status when you apply for financial aid or scholarships may be subject to mandatory reporting to federal immigration authorities under Arizona law, A.R.S. 1-501,1-502. Pass the fingerprinting and/or background check: Arizona residence must submit a copy (certified by a notary) of an Identity Verified Prints (IVP) fingerprint clearance card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The form can be located at www.riosalado.edu/documents/outofstateform.pdf. The clearance must be valid for the duration of your program. Possess a bachelor degree (or graduate degree) in a science, engineering, or mathematics Provide an official university/college transcript for all degrees. Possess at least three years job experience in a non-education STEM profession and not be a current K-12 teacher seeking new certification or re-certification. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (yce Scholars who receive both stipend and other forms of financial assistance such as federal student loans, but fail to complete the service requirements of the yce Scholars Program, will be required to repay both the stipend and any other financial assistance that must be repaid by the student). http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Submit completed yce application with resume and three letters of recommendations. Register for the Arizona Educators Proficiency Assessment (AEPA)). Applicant must take the AEPA prior to the official interview. PHASE II. After application review, applicants may be asked to: Complete the Haberman Online Star Teacher Pre-screening (a test of a person s disposition in regard to qualities that have been found to be helpful in supporting the success of students in diverse school settings). Complete the Explore Teaching orientation workshop which is designed to address many of the concerns and expectations of applicants before they fully commit to a certification program and a career in education. (Leave out $50.00 fee ) Scholar must demonstrate proficiency in mathematics or science by passing the high school AEPA in your area of concentration prior to your interview. AEPA information, registration and study guides are available at http://www.aepa.nesinc.com. PHASE III. Interview and Verification of passing score on AEPA: The faculty at Rio Salado College will review preliminary applications. Successful Phase 1 and Phase 2 applicants will be asked to participate in an interview with the selection team. Submit a signed yce Scholar Stipend Agreement committing to teach full-time as a licensed mathematics or science teacher in a high-need public school in grades 7-12 for two years. This document must be submitted within two weeks of being accepted into the yce Scholars Program.
Commitment of yce Teaching Scholars: Complete all requirements for state teaching certification and be employed by an Arizona high-need local educational agency to teach science or mathematics for two years. Sign an agreement that you understand your responsibilities as a yce Scholar/Teacher. After completion of teacher certification, participate in professional development activities with other yce program associates, such as membership in professional organizations, attending conferences, attending Master Teacher seminars or workshops and meeting periodically with your Cadre Leader and yce Advisor. Upon completion of Teacher Preparation Program, complete an exit interview with Rio Salado College yce Scholarship administrators and after graduation, attend annual follow-up seminars during the years you are fulfilling your teaching obligation. Participate in evaluations and surveys for the Robert yce Scholarship program. General Information for yce Scholars: yce Scholars will be selected on the basis of academic merit, with consideration given to financial need and the diversity of participants in the program. In accordance with applicable laws and regulations, yce Scholars will be assessed taxes for each year a stipend is received and will be responsible for all income and self-employment taxes on the stipends. Rio Salado College will provide a 1099 form for the year(s) the stipend is received. The yce Scholars Stipend will not exceed the amount of $16,500. The stipend will be made in disbursements directly to the yce Scholar (please refer to the yce Scholars Program Stipend Schedule). Upon receipt of each stipend payment, all tuition and fees owed must be paid immediately to the Rio Salado College Cashier's Office.
. ONLINE POST-BABACCALAUREATE TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM SMILE yce Scholars Program Application Complete all fields in the following application and submit a cover letter, with a copy of your professional resume including professional organizations, and three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a current supervisor or employer. Please submit a hard copy of all documents postmarked no later than the fall deadline of June 1 or the spring deadline of December 30 to: Karen Nave 2323 W. 14 th Street Rio Salado College Tempe, AZ 85281 Department of Education 480-517-8743 FAX 480-377-4713 karen.nave@riosalado.edu Please type and complete entire application. Name (Last, First, Middle) list if needed Former Last Name (s) SS# DOB Address: (Number, Street, Apartment ) City, State Zip Telephone (include area code) Cell Phone (include area code) Email Gender: Male Female *Ethnicity: United States Citizen : Are you Bilingual: Hispanic or Latino American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Black or African American Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander White Other (specify): *Ethnicity information is used to determine if an applicant is from a recognized underrepresented group in math or science. However, please note that all applications are welcome and it is not a requirement that a person be from an underrepresented group. However, it is an explicit goal of this grant to increase the number of underrepresented students in science or math and as a result, some preference is extended to these students. LIST ALL SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ATTENDED BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL Name of Institution Location (City, State) Dates Attended (From/To) Degree, Year, Major Currently Enrolled (Number of Credits) State your cumulative Bachelor s GPA Graduate GPA
Check Your Post-Baccalaureate Content Area: Secondary Math (Grades 7 12) Secondary Science (Grades 7 12) Chemistry Physics Biology Earth/General Science Other EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN OTHER THAN FORMAL SCHOOL EXPERIENCE (can be volunteer experience): Dates (From/To) Firm or Employer/ Address Position or Title Full Time (/) A.R.S. Section 13-3716 requires applicants to give notice of conviction of, admission of committing, or pending trial for any of the following offenses: sexual abuse of a minor, incest, first or second degree murder, sexual assault, exploitation of a minor, commercial sexual exploitation of a minor, aggravated or armed robbery, a dangerous crime against children as defined in A.R.S. Section 13-604.01, sexual conduct with a minor, molestation of a child, or exploitation of minors involving drug offenses. Have you been convicted of, admitted committing, or are you awaiting trial for any of the above dangerous crimes against children? (If yes, please give details on a separate sheet, signed, dated and notarized.) Have you been convicted of, admitted committing, or are you awaiting trial for a felony? (If yes, please give details on a separate sheet, signed, dated and notarized.) Is English your native language: Native Language: Where did you hear about the yce Scholar Program? Newspaper article/ad Rio Salado College EDU Website Rio Salado College Email/Staff Newsletter (please give name of newsletter) ) Corporation (please give name of corporation/industry) ) School District (please give name of district) ) Other
ONLINE POST-BABACCALAUREATE TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Applicant s Name: Please discuss the following: 1) Explain what appeals most and least to you about teaching in a high-need school. 2) Describe your understanding of a teacher s responsibilities. 3) Discuss your greatest strengths as a future educator. 4) Explain the career path you have pursued since earning your bachelor s degree. 5) Expound on how your prior work experiences will influence a math or science 7-12 grade classroom. Please be as thorough with you explanations as possible without being too expansive; limit your response to three pages. Use additional pages if necessary. Please sign and date your biographical information.