Some people look at a classroom and see kids, they see students. When teachers look out over their classrooms, they see the future.
Future accountants and cardiologists. Plant managers and meteorologists. Talk show hosts and tech recruiters. Forest park rangers and magazine editors.
They see the future of strong Texas communities. Healthy economies. Educated citizenry.
Teachers not only see the future —
teachers give rise to the future.
The Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers – one component of the Raising Texas Teachers initiative – is designed to encourage the best and brightest students to consider a future in the teaching profession. The scholarship consists of $8,000 in annual funding for up to four years, as well as ongoing training and development opportunities, mentorship from sitting public school educators, and participation in a statewide aspiring teachers network facilitated by the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation.
Approximately 100 scholarships will be awarded through teacher preparation programs at 10 partnering universities each year, with the cohort growing to include 500 scholars annually. The competitive selection process includes an application, pre-screening by university teams, and a daylong event consisting of a group activity, mock teaching lesson, and panel interview.
In addition to scholarship funding, the Raising Texas Teachers initiative will supplement the rigorous education scholars receive at our partner programs by providing scholars opportunities to benefit from ongoing professional development, mentoring and feedback from teachers and principals, and connections with fellow Charles Butt Scholars across Texas.
This combination of education and supports is designed to ensure scholars have opportunities to practice and develop pedagogical skills in authentic classroom settings, observe masterful teaching in action, reflect on feedback from expert teachers and school leaders, and participate in a community that fosters professional growth.
In 2017, Texas universities applied to participate in the Raising Texas Teachers initiative. The Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation selected 11 partner university teacher preparation programs at 10 universities administer the Charles Butt Scholarships for Aspiring Teachers. Raise Your Hand also works closely with these programs to identify, implement, and scale promising practices in teacher preparation. The 11 partner programs were selected based on evidence of strong practices in four core areas:
One hundred Charles Butt Scholarships for Aspiring Teachers were awarded for the 2018-19 school year through 11 university teacher preparation programs. Scholars will receive up to $8,000 in scholarship funding, ongoing training and development opportunities, mentorship from sitting public school educators, and participate in a statewide aspiring teachers network.
The next application cycle will start in fall 2018. Subscribe to our email newsletter to be alerted when applications open.
