About the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers
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 professional 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 partner 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.
Charles Butt Scholar Knowledge, Skills, and Values
Raise Your Hand has identified the following knowlege, skills, and values each Charles Butt Scholar must demonstrate:
Written communication
Oral communication
Collaboration
Leadership
Altruism
Persistence and continuous learning
Passion for education
Belief in the power of teaching
Academic achievement
Eligibility
The Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers is available to prospective teachers who are currently in, or plan to enter, an eligible teacher preparation program at a Raising Texas Teachers partner university. Aspiring Teachers can apply in the fall of any year between their senior year of high school and junior year of college. See below for the lists of eligible programs at each university.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be committed to teaching in a majority-economically disadvantaged school or in a shortage subject area (in a school where more than 50% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, or as a math, science, bilingual, or special education teacher) in a Texas public school. Preference is given to Texas residents.
Click on the partner universities listed below to view eligible programs:
Our Lady of the Lake University
- Any residency program
UT Austin College of Education
- EC-6 ESL/ Generalist Certification
- Bilingual Certification
- Special Education Certification
- UTeach Urban Teachers Social Studies
- UTeach Urban Teachers English
Texas A&M University
- Special Education program
Rice University
- Undergraduate Teacher Certification
- Undergraduate 5-Year Master of Arts in Teaching
- Master of Arts in Teaching ($10,000 available)
Southern Methodist University
- Master’s of Education with Certification
- Educational Studies Major
Trinity University
- Master of Arts in Teaching ($10,000 available)
University of Houston
- All teacher preparation programs with certification
University of North Texas-Dallas
- Any BS, Interdisciplinary Studies major with a certification area in bilingual or ESL (ESL includes EC-6 ESL, 4-8 Subject Area + ESL)
UT-Rio Grande Valley
- STEP UP
UT Austin UTeach Natural Sciences
- Degree with teacher certification through the UTeach program
Texas Tech University
- Tech Teach
- Tech Teach across Texas ($10,000 available)
Support for Charles Butt Scholars
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.
Application Process
The Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers selection process has two rounds. First, applicants must fill out and submit an application. Finalists for the scholarship will be selected based on the application. All finalists will be invited to an interview day, where they will take part in a group activity, present a demonstration lesson and take part in an individual panel interview.
Application Now Open!
Click here to apply for the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers. This link will take you to our application platform.
