Teaching Fellows to be Honored at State House
April 20, 2009
ROCK HILL, SC — April 20, 2009 – Graduates representing the 2009 class of the South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program will be honored at the State House on Wednesday, April 22, according to a release today by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, & Advancement (CERRA).
The group of graduating Fellows convening at the State House will join the ranks of more than 540 former Fellows who are now teaching in public schools across the state.
Respected as one of the most effective and efficient teacher recruitment programs in South Carolina, Teaching Fellows participate in advanced enrichment programs at 11 partnering colleges and universities, have professional development opportunities during summer months, and are involved with communities and businesses throughout the state.
The Teaching Fellows Program annually hosts a legislative information session, known as “Hill Day,” and meet-and-greet with state-level elected officials for each graduating class. This year’s “Hill Day” has special meaning for those involved as the program’s future funding remains unclear as budget writers finalize the state budget. Superintendent Jim Rex will be on hand to address the group before the Fellows tour the State House grounds.
“Hill Day enables these prospective teachers to meet face-to-face with the policy makers and share with them a few personal successes in the program,” said program director Brett Vaughn. “Many of our Fellows, campus directors, and university presidents have informed us that they’ve been engaged in the political process earlier this year by contacting their legislators via email or phone in support of the Teaching Fellows Program and we are appreciative of their actions.”
The Teaching Fellows Program began in 1999 and seeks to recruit talented high school seniors into the teaching profession and help them develop leadership qualities. Each year the program provides Fellowships for up to 175 high school seniors who have exhibited high academic achievement, a history of service to their school and community, and a desire to teach in South Carolina. However, state budget shortfalls have had a tremendous impact on the ability to offer as many Fellowships this year as the program’s budget has been slashed 24 percent, or approximately $1 million. With ambiguity surrounding next year’s state budget, CERRA is awaiting clarification on funding before giving out future awards.
Vaughn says the Center must protect the 466 students returning to the program in the fall at the 11 partnering colleges and universities. CERRA must be certain funding is secure for those students before making any offers to high school students who are anxiously awaiting the award. Teaching Fellows agree to teach in South Carolina one year for every year they receive the Fellowship.
The program’s growing popularity is demonstrated by soaring applications over the past two years. Nearly 1,200 students applied for the program this year, a 40 percent increase over 2006 totals.
CERRA, an independent state agency located on the campus of Winthrop University, is the oldest and most established teacher recruitment program in the country. The purpose of CERRA is to provide leadership in identifying, attracting, placing and retaining well-qualified individuals for the teaching profession in South Carolina. CERRA’s programs have been adopted at school, district and state levels in more than 30 states in the United States.
