Colorado Center for Rural Education Colorado Rural Teaching Scholarship Application Fall Semester 2017 (due April 14, 2017) Page 1 of 8
Application Instructions for Colorado Rural Teaching Scholarship COLORADO CENTER FOR RURAL EDUCATION The Colorado Center for Rural Education and the Colorado Department of Higher Education seek to encourage talented teacher candidates to student teach in Colorado rural school districts and eventually become a teacher in a Colorado rural school district. The value of the scholarship is $2,800 for the semester of student teaching. Scholarship recipients are expected to complete student teaching in a Colorado rural school district and then apply and work at a rural school district. If selected as a Rural Teaching Scholar, the recipient will receive half of the scholarship at the start of student teaching (first $1,400) and the remaining half (second $1,400) when they successfully complete student teaching and expect to work in a Colorado rural school district. Eligible Applicants Must Meet the Following Criteria: 1. Be enrolled in a teacher preparation program at one of the Colorado institutes of higher education. 2. Be already placed in a student teaching experience within a Colorado rural school district. 3. Be willing to commit to pursuing a career as a full-time teacher in a Colorado rural school district after graduation and securing Colorado teaching license. 4. Have completed all requirements for their undergraduate degree except their student teaching experience. 5. Have an earned GPA (cumulative grade point average) of 2.75 out of 4.00 or above. Preference will be given to the teacher candidates in any of the following high need areas: Science Mathematics Special Education Cultural/linguistic diversity Willingness to teach in one of the rural school districts (especially small rural school districts with less than 1000 students) that are located 50 miles or more from major metropolitan areas and outside of the Front-Range region of Colorado. Definition of Colorado Rural School District: For the purpose of this scholarship, any Colorado school district with a student enrollment of 6500 students or less is defined as a rural school district. Preference for student teaching placement will be given to those school districts that are also located 50 miles or more from major metropolitan areas and outside of the Front-Range region of Colorado. Directions: Only complete applications will be accepted and should be delivered by hand or mailed to the Rural Teaching Scholarship Committee, c/o Dr. Harvey Rude, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, McKee Hall 22, Campus Box 141, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639. Contact Harvey at 970-351-1626 or Harvey.Rude@unco.edu if you have questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application due date (must be post-marked by this date): April 14, 2017. Application Requirements 1. Application Cover Sheet, Checklist, and Agreement Form (third page of this document). 2. Completed General Application Information form (fourth page of this document). 3. Two completed recommendation forms. Each recommendation form must be in a sealed envelope with a signature across the seal by the person providing the recommendation. Two recommendation forms are found at the end of this document. The recommendations should be from individuals who are familiar with your qualifications and potential as a future teacher. 4. Personal essay Respond in 500 (total) words or less (typed/word-processed) to all of the following prompts. i. Why do you want to be a teacher? ii. Why do you want to teach in a rural school district? iii. List and explain three qualities that uniquely qualify you for this scholarship. 5. One official transcript from each university or college you attended must be included. Page 2 of 8
Cover Sheet for Colorado Rural Teaching Scholarship COLORADO CENTER FOR RURAL EDUCATION Name (Last, First, MI) Student ID # Full E-Mail Address: Placement School District and School Name Student Teaching Assignment (i.e., grade levels, content areas) Cooperating Teacher E-Mail Address: Name of College/University Term/Year of Student Teaching: University Supervisor E-Mail Address: Application Checklist Checked by Student All Must be Attached and Completed Before Submitting to Rural Teaching Scholarship Selection Committee: Checked by UNC Staff Cover Sheet and Application Checklist (this form) Completed General Application Information form Two completed recommendation forms (each two pages; signed by recommenders) Typed response to the three essay prompts (see application requirements) One official transcript from all universities and colleges that you attended Signature and Agreement 1. Should I receive the Colorado Rural Teaching Scholarship, I am obligated to fulfill the requirements of the program to the best of my ability. 2. I give permission to Colorado Center for Rural Education to release this information to the Colorado Department of Higher Education, if required. 3. I give the University of Northern Colorado and the Colorado Department of Higher Education permission to publicize my Rural Teaching Scholarship Award and post my photograph. 4. I understand that my Rural Teaching Scholarship might affect other financial aid awards, and it is up to me to verify this by checking with the Financial Aid Office at my institution. 5. I certify by my signature that I have read and understood the information in this application and that it is complete and accurate. 6. I also agree that I will student teach in a rural school district and I am expected to apply and interview at a rural school district after graduation. 7. I understand that the scholarship will be distributed in two installments. The first installment at the start of student teaching and the second installment after providing proof of applying and interviewing for a full-time teaching position within a Colorado rural school district. Applicant s Signature Date Page 3 of 8
General Applicant Information for Colorado Rural Teaching Scholars Date: Name: Student ID Number: Local Address: City, State, Zip Code: Permanent Address: City, State, Zip Code: Home Phone: School e-mail Address: Cell Phone: Other e-mail address: DEMOGRAPHICS The Colorado Rural Teaching Scholarship program requests but does not require the following information: Birth date: / / (DD/MM/YEAR) Gender (check one): * M * F How would you describe yourself? (Check all that apply): Ethnicity/Race(s): * Hispanic or Latino * American Indian or Alaska Native * Asian * Black or African American * Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander * White If you have not checked any of the above, please share how you self identify yourself: ACADEMICS: Current Major: Minor: Preferred CO teaching license endorsement area What year and semester are you planning to graduate? List individuals who will provide a recommendation (2 required). You may also include information for up to two additional contacts. Name Position Contact information; (phone number and e-mail address) Page 4 of 8
Recommendation Form for Colorado Rural Teaching Scholars (page 1 of 2) To the Applicant References or recommendations should be given by people who are familiar with your qualifications and potential as a future teacher. Two letters of recommendation are required. Give a copy of this form to each recommender. Fill out the top half of this form, as well as the name of the individual providing the reference. Give him or her a stamped envelope addressed to yourself, with instructions to sign the envelope across the seal. Include it with your other application materials. Type (or print in black ink) the following information. Full Legal Name: Student ID Number: Last First MI In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, you may waive your right to inspect this recommendation by signing the statement below. Should you decide not to waive the right, you will have access to the recommendation if you become a Rural Teaching Scholar. I choose to: * waive * not waive my right to access to this letter. Applicant s Signature: Date: To the Academic Reference/Recommender The above student is applying to become a Colorado Rural Teaching Scholar. The Colorado Rural Teaching Scholarship is intended for anyone planning to pursue a teaching career in Colorado rural school district. Colorado rural school districts are defined as school districts with 6500 or less total students. Ideal candidates should demonstrate academic success in their content areas combined with a willingness to pursue a teaching career in Colorado rural school districts. The value of the scholarship is $2,800 paid in two installments. The scholarship is very competitive and selective. Scholarship recipients are required to student teach in a Colorado rural school district, then following graduation, it is expected that they apply and interview at a Colorado rural school district. Please complete both pages of this form. You may add your own comments on your own letterhead if you prefer. Return this form in a sealed envelope to the applicant with their name on the front and your signature across the sealed flap on the back. Return it to the applicant to forward with his/her other application materials. Thank you for your assistance. Recommender s Name and Position: Phone and Email: How long have you known the Colorado Rural Teaching Scholar candidate and in what capacity? Signature: Date: Page 5 of 8
Recommendation Form for Colorado Rural Teaching Scholars (page 2 of 2) Applicant s Name: Recommender s Name: Choose your most appropriate response to the statement Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree No Basis Additional comments: 1. The applicant demonstrates proficient oral communication skills. 2. The applicant demonstrates proficient written communication skills. 3. The applicant demonstrates proficient critical thinking skills. 4. The applicant demonstrates the ability to apply content knowledge in real world contexts. 5. The applicant demonstrates the potential to teach in a Colorado rural school. 6. The applicant demonstrates a desire to perform well academically. 7. The applicant demonstrates a commitment to achieving his/her goals. 8. The applicant demonstrates the ability to work well with peers. 9. The applicant is highly motivated in reaching career goals. 10. The applicant is emotionally mature and stable. 11. I consider this applicant to be of good character. Please write below (or on your own letterhead) as candidly as possible about the applicant s qualifications and potential to complete their degrees and become a teacher in a rural school. In evaluating such qualities as the applicant s motivation, intellect, creativity, discipline, and maturity, discuss both strengths and weaknesses. It would be most helpful if you can recall specific instances in which these qualities were revealed to you. Additional comments that will help the selection committee make their decision: Page 6 of 8
Recommendation Form for Colorado Rural Teaching Scholars (page 1 of 2) To the Applicant References or recommendations should be given by people who are familiar with your qualifications and potential as a future teacher. Two letters of recommendation are required. Give a copy of this form to each recommender. Fill out the top half of this form, as well as the name of the individual providing the reference. Give him or her a stamped envelope addressed to yourself, with instructions to sign the envelope across the seal. Include it with your other application materials. Type (or print in black ink) the following information. Full Legal Name: Student ID Number: Last First MI In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, you may waive your right to inspect this recommendation by signing the statement below. Should you decide not to waive the right, you will have access to the recommendation if you become a Rural Teaching Scholar. I choose to: * waive * not waive my right to access to this letter. Applicant s Signature: Date: To the Academic Reference/Recommender The above student is applying to become a Colorado Rural Teaching Scholar. The Colorado Rural Teaching Scholarship is intended for anyone planning to pursue a teaching career in Colorado rural school district. Colorado rural school districts are defined as school districts with 6500 or less total students. Ideal candidates should demonstrate academic success in their content areas combined with a willingness to pursue a teaching career in Colorado rural school districts. The value of the scholarship is $2,800 paid in two installments. The scholarship is very competitive and selective. Scholarship recipients are required to student teach in a Colorado rural school district, then following graduation, it is expected that they apply and interview at a Colorado rural school district. Please complete both pages of this form. You may add your own comments on your own letterhead if you prefer. Return this form in a sealed envelope to the applicant with their name on the front and your signature across the sealed flap on the back. Return it to the applicant to forward with his/her other application materials. Thank you for your assistance. Recommender s Name and Position: Phone and Email: How long have you known the Colorado Rural Teaching Scholar candidate and in what capacity? Signature: Date: Page 7 of 8
Recommendation Form for Colorado Rural Teaching Scholars (page 2 of 2) Applicant s Name: Recommender s Name: Choose your most appropriate response to the statement Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree No Basis Additional comments: 1. The applicant demonstrates proficient oral communication skills. 2. The applicant demonstrates proficient written communication skills. 3. The applicant demonstrates proficient critical thinking skills. 4. The applicant demonstrates the ability to apply content knowledge in real world contexts. 5. The applicant demonstrates the potential to teach in a Colorado rural school. 6. The applicant demonstrates a desire to perform well academically. 7. The applicant demonstrates a commitment to achieving his/her goals. 8. The applicant demonstrates the ability to work well with peers. 9. The applicant is highly motivated in reaching career goals. 10. The applicant is emotionally mature and stable. 11. I consider this applicant to be of good character. Please write below (or on your own letterhead) as candidly as possible about the applicant s qualifications and potential to complete their degrees and become a teacher in a rural school. In evaluating such qualities as the applicant s motivation, intellect, creativity, discipline, and maturity, discuss both strengths and weaknesses. It would be most helpful if you can recall specific instances in which these qualities were revealed to you. Additional comments that will help the selection committee make their decision: Page 8 of 8