Scholarship money has opened up for students in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) who plan to return to their communities as teachers. Illinois State University announced CPS students who join the Teach Chicago Tomorrow Pathways Partnership program and enroll at Illinois State will be awarded a $3,000 renewable scholarship. Students enrolling at the University will work with a designated financial aid counselor to identify any state, federal, and additional supports on top of the scholarship.
The Teach Chicago Tomorrow Pathways Partnership is a new program between the College of Education at Illinois State, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and City Colleges of Chicago (CCC). The program provides a structured plan for CPS graduates to earn an education degree in their own community and then start a CPS teaching career. Applications to begin the program in fall 2021 are now open.
“This is an investment in the teacher workforce of Chicago,” said Illinois State’s College of Education Dean Dr. James Wolfinger. “One in six teachers in the state graduated from Illinois State University. For over 150 years, this University has developed a reputation for preparing the highest quality teachers. Teach Chicago Tomorrow extends our commitment to providing access to our top teacher education programs.”
Students in the program will enroll at CCC for the first two years. They will then complete their degree and licensure requirements through Illinois State classes held in Chicago. Students can learn either an elementary education or special education degree and teacher licensure with bilingual endorsement options.
The first cohort of students will begin preparation immediately with programming through Illinois State’s National Center for Urban Education (NCUE). “The Summer Bridge program is essential to increase student retention and support student success,” said NCUE Executive Director Dr. Maria Luisa Zamudio. “NCUE is thrilled to participate in this initiative in collaboration with Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago to meet the needs of Chicago’s communities and to prepare an educator workforce for the 21st century.”
Interested students and families are welcome to join a free virtual information session at 6 p.m. June 3 to learn more about the Teach Chicago Tomorrow Pathways Partnership. Find more information here: teachchicagot.eventbrite.com.
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