Jacksonville, AL according to the JSU Media Department when the first bell toll rang in the autumn the state estimates that Alabama classrooms were without 1500 teachers. In a bid to combat burning out and low pay teachers are leaving jobs they once felt interested in – resulting in an escalating teacher shortage across the country.
Jacksonville State University, which was established as a teacher’s college for state teachers in 1883, is looking to aid school personnel in the advancement of their careers while staying in the field of education. Starting in the fall of 2023, the school is offering a tuition grant of 20 percent for students in the from pre-K through 12th grade.
“With the rising demand for teachers from P-12 across the nation, and in our state,” said Kelly Martin Director of Enrollment Initiatives, “we hope this scholarship will aid teachers currently in continuing their education and encouraging support staff from the P-12 to think about returning to school to earn a degree in education. It will also allow Jax State to do our part in tackling the shortage of teachers within Alabama.”
The scholarship is only available to current or new JSU students, including students who have not attended the university before and are admitted to the fall semester of 2023 students, those who were a student at JSU during their undergraduate time student and have been admitted to graduate school in the fall of 2023. Former students who attended the school but then resigned and have been readmitted to JSU for the fall of 2023.
“The P-12 scholarship can make getting an advanced degree affordable and provides the opportunity for educators to enhance their abilities for new possibilities in education,” said Dr. Kimberly S. White, dean of the JSU College of Education and Professional Studies. “In many instances, the completion of an advanced degree can lead to a higher salary and makes an educator more competitive for promotions.”
Dr. White said the scholarship will also assist teachers and school staff make the transition to the classroom.
“The P-12 scholarship provides an ideal opportunity to reduce the financial burden of becoming a professional educator or progressing in the educational field,” White said.
JSU has a long background as a college for teachers and is known for its ability to produce the most effective, first-day-ready teachers.
“Offering this award is just one other way to assist our teachers in the classroom,” Martin said, “and ensure that our schools have the resources they require to provide the highest quality education for students in this state.”
For a complete list of requirements and eligibility criteria visit https://www.jsu.edu/partnerships/educators/.
