The Teach@Mines Noyce Scholarship and Stipend Program seeks to encourage and enable Mines students to become science, mathematics and computer science teachers. This program is intended for students either in their junior/senior years or who have already graduated with a bachelor's degree and who would like to pursue a teaching career in science, mathematics, computer science or other STEM subject area. The value of the scholarship or stipend is between $12,500 - $15,000 per semester. Undergraduate students may receive up to six semesters worth of funding and graduate students may receive up to two semesters of funding. Scholarship and Stipend recipients are required to complete one year of teaching in a high-needs school district for every semester of scholarship received.
A high-needs school district (does not have to be public) is one that has at least one elementary or secondary school characterized by at least one of the following: a high percentage of individuals from families with incomes below the poverty line; a high percentage of secondary school teachers not teaching in the content area in which they were trained to teach; or a high teacher turnover rate. Many school districts in Colorado meet at least one of these criteria (last year 164/179 of the public school districts qualified), and we will work with you to identify districts that meet the requirements. However, if the teaching obligation in such a school district is not met within the required years (8 years for undergraduates and 4 years for graduate students) of completing the teacher licensure program, the scholarship converts to a student loan, appreciates interest, and must be repaid in full.
Eligible applicants must meet the following required criteria:
1)
Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident alien.
2) Plan to earn licensure through Teach@Mines.
3)
Be willing to work as a science or math teacher in a high-needs school one year for every semester of scholarship received.
4)
Have completed at least 60 credit hours of college coursework.
5) Be in good academic standing according to the Mines Registrar.
Preferred criteria include:
1) Previous experiences or education coursework that demonstrate a genuine interest and commitment to teaching.
2) Strong academic merit demonstrated by GPA and references.
To apply, you must:
1) Fill out the following
preliminary reference form as soon as you decide to apply and have found two people who are willing to serve as your professional references. I will email them a form to fill out and ask for a short written statement as soon as I have their contact information. It is important to do this as early as possible, even before you finish the rest of this application, to give your references ample time.
2) Fill out this entire google form (includes three essay prompts, listed below).
3) Optional: Submit a 60-second video expanding on any of your responses or providing any additional context you'd like us to have. (upload to Youtube or similar)
4) Email a resume (up to two pages) and unofficial transcripts (can save a pdf from Trailhead or URSA) to Wendy Adams at
wkadams@mines.edu.
Priority application deadline is the first week of each term. Specific deadlines each semester will be announced to the T@M list.
This form is
not "savable" until you hit submit, so we recommend waiting to fill it out until you've compiled/written everything you need. Please email any questions to
wkadams@mines.edu.
Essay prompts (150-300 words each):
1) Why do you want to be a science, mathematics or computer science teacher?
2) Why do you want to teach in a high-needs school?
3) What barriers do you foresee to complete the licensure coursework through Teach@Mines? How would the scholarship help you overcome these barriers?
