Future teachers receive prestigious state scholarships – News at IU
Freshmen Lexi Closson, Sydney Colescott, Valeria Cortes, and Hannah Middlesworth are among nearly 300 future teachers awarded Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarships.Each received a renewable scholarship of up to $10,000 per year, or up to $40,000 total, from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
KOKOMO, Ind. — Four Indiana University Kokomo freshmen are among nearly 300 future teachers awarded Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarships.
Lexi Closson, Sydney Colescott, Valeria Cortes, and Hannah Middlesworth each received a renewable scholarship of up to $10,000 per year, or up to $40,000 total, from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE).
In return, the students agree to teach for five years as an eligible Indiana school or repay the corresponding prorated amount of the scholarship.
Chris Darr, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, congratulated the students.
“It’s wonderful to see that several of our new students have earned this prestigious scholarship,” he said. “Indiana has great need for teachers, and we are proud to welcome these future educators to the Kokomo campus.”
Colescott and Cortes completed IU Kokomo’s Tomorrow’s Teachers program, which allows high school juniors and seniors to take entry-level Division of Education classes, taught by IU Kokomo faculty, at their high schools. They also get early experience assisting in classrooms in their districts and participate in on-campus events.
Colescott, a Kokomo High School graduate, said Tomorrow’s Teachers helped her confirm that teaching is the career she wants to pursue. She is studying secondary education with a math concentration, and a minor in psychology. The scholarship makes it easier.
“I get to chase my dream and passion of becoming a teacher, without having to worry about finances,” she said. “I have always wanted to be a teacher, and working many jobs where I work with kids only made me more certain I wanted to be a teacher.”
Cortes, from Logansport, was inspired by her experience as an English language learner in choosing her career. She plans to major in elementary education, with a minor in English as a new language.
“My experiences shaped me into someone who understands how important it is for students to feel supported and encouraged,” she said. “I want to make sure my future students never feel alone in their learning journey the way I once did. Being part of the Tomorrow’s Teachers program confirmed my passion for education and gave me valuable early experience.
“With this scholarship and the education I am receiving, I am determined to become the kind of teacher who makes a difference in her students’ lives.”
Closson, a Northwestern High School graduate, plans to be an elementary teacher. The scholarship allows her to be a full-time student. Her plans to become a teacher were inspired by her own teachers.
“When I was little, it was my dream to become a teacher because of what my teachers did for me,” she said. “I’ve been in classrooms, and I keep loving it more. The students are so fun to be around and watching them learn is amazing. I want to become a teacher because I want to make changes in children’s lives.”
Oak Hill High School graduate Hannah Middleworth said the scholarship means she can graduate with her elementary education degree debt-free.
“From a young age, I can remember decorating my room with classroom décor and playing teacher all the time,” she said. “It has always been a lifelong dream for me, and I am thankful to be pursuing it now at IU Kokomo.”
They were chosen from among a record-breaking 1,091 students, representing 326 high schools in 89 of Indiana’s 92 counties. This is the ninth year ICHE has awarded the scholarships.
To qualify for the scholarship, students must graduate in the top 20 percent of their high school class, earn a score in the 20th percentile on the SAT or ACT, or have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. To continue earning the scholarship in college, students must earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA and complete at least 30 credit hours per year.
Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.
Erin Witt, director of media and marketing
765-455-9468
witterin@iu.edu
Danielle Rush, communications specialist
765-432-9906
darush@iu.edu
Kokomo
