DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — There is a shortage of teachers across the country and Illinois is no different.
One scholarship is designed to encourage more students to go into teaching and stay to teach in Illinois.
Amethyst Hamm, a senior at Illinois State University and recipient of the scholarship, told WAND News, “This scholarship has changed my life and allowed me to do more than I ever thought that I would be able to do.”
The ECACE scholarship helps pay for tuition up to $7,500 for qualifying students.
“I never thought I would ever be able to get my bachelor’s and not owe any money to a college,” Hamm said. “Because of this scholarship I was able to do that.”
The scholarship is funded by the State of Illinois. Each recipient commits to staying and teaching in Illinois.
“We do have high rates of turnover in our field,” Christi Chadwick, the Early Childhood Consortium Project Director, said. “So, there is a consistent shortage and gap that we’re trying to fill.”
Hundreds of students are recipients every year.
Chadwick said, “For the current year, we have about $5 million and have supported about 650 students.”
The program is creating more passionate teachers.
“I have so much fun with my littles that I feel like I’m giving them the best foundation to be interested in learning,” Hamm said.
For information about qualifications, click here.
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