(Sponsored by Duke Energy and Champions of Education)

The Catawba County Champions of Education established the Champions of Education Teaching Scholarship in 2009. The two-year scholarship will be awarded to a Catawba County resident who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in education and who, within three years of graduation, agrees to teach in one of Catawba County’s three school systems for two years.

The $5,000 ($2,500 for each year) merit scholarship will be awarded to a rising college junior.

In addition to submitting an application, the applicant must:

• Be a resident of Catawba County for a minimum of 24 months.
• Have completed the initial two years of college with a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
• Have earned an SAT score of 1100 or better (550 minimum in math and 550 minimum in critical reading) or 522 or better on the Praxis I (176 minimum on reading, 173 in writing, and 173 minimum in math) or 24 or better on the ACT.
• Be eligible for acceptance in a teacher education program leading to licensure in one of the following two options: 1) an Appalachian State University (ASU) off-campus program offered at ASU Centers at Hickory and Caldwell or 2) a program offered at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
• Have demonstrated commitment to pursuing a career in education.
• Submit an application including transcripts, test scores, and three letters of reference postmarked no later than July 15, 2009.
• Agree to participate in an interview if he or she is selected as a finalist.
• Agree to teach in one of Catawba County’s three schools systems (Catawba County Schools, Hickory City Schools, Newton Conover City Schools) for two years within three years of graduation from college.

Candidates who intend to pursue degrees in high school math, high school science, exceptional children education, middle school math, middle school science, middle school social studies, or foreign language/ESL are especially encouraged to apply. In addition, students from underserved populations are encouraged to apply.

Applicants who are awarded this scholarship will receive $2,500 at the beginning of their junior year of college, and an additional $2,500 at the beginning of their senior year as long as they maintain a 3.0 GPA and remain enrolled in a teacher education program leading to licensure.

The Champions of Education Teaching Scholarship Application (PDF) may be downloaded here. Completed applications should be mailed to Teaching Scholarship Committee c/o Mr. Lamar Mitchell, Catawba County Champions of Education, PO Box 1828, Hickory, NC 28603. Applications must be complete and postmarked no later than July 15, 2009.