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OFE News Release

Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Extends Deadline for Teacher Scholarships for Professional Developmenty

November 2, 2006
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has extended the deadline to Nov. 17 for Oklahoma educators to apply for professional development scholarships.

Teacher Scholarships for Professional Development are designed to enhance educational opportunities for students by allowing teachers to attend top-quality regional, national and international workshops and institutes in their chosen fields. The scholarships help cover the costs of tuition, transportation, lodging and, if necessary, the expense of hiring a substitute teacher.

Professional development scholarships are still available in the following categories: the Kenneth R. & Juliette Woodward Scholarships for teachers in Duncan or Stephens County; Boeing Math and Science Scholarships for teachers in the greater Oklahoma City area; Community Foundation of Ardmore Scholarships for teachers in Carter County; and scholarships for teachers in Tulsa County.

Scholarships will be awarded this December for teacher conferences and institutes scheduled in the spring semester or summer of 2007. Applications are available on the Foundation for Excellence Web site at www.ofe.org or by contacting the foundation office at (405) 236-0006. Applications must be postmarked by Nov. 17, 2006.

“Researchers have found that teacher ability is a stronger determinant of student achievement than a student’s economic standing, race or parents’ educational attainment,” said Emily Stratton, executive director of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. “Providing quality professional development opportunities to Oklahoma’s teachers is critical to the success of Oklahoma’s students.”

The foundation launched its Teacher Scholarships for Professional Development in spring 2003. Since then, 111 scholarship recipients throughout Oklahoma have attended professional development offerings in such areas as reading, fine arts, English, mathematics, science and special education.

Scholarship recipient Donna Smith, a teacher at Ada STEPS Alternative Academy, said opportunities for quality professional development at the national level are rare because of tight school budgets. “This scholarship gave me the opportunity to attend three days of non-stop, informative, hands-on workshops and lectures, as well as network with other math teachers from across the nation,” she said. “I returned to school eager to try out the new strategies and activities that I learned.”

Scholarship applicants must currently be employed as an elementary or secondary teacher in an Oklahoma public school. They must also have at least two years of teaching experience in Oklahoma prior to the conference or meeting for which the scholarship will be used. Each application requires a statement of support from the applicant’s principal or superintendent.

Teacher Scholarships for Professional Development are made possible through support from Boeing Co. of Oklahoma City, the Community Foundation of Ardmore, the Kenneth and Juliette Woodward estate and contributors to the Audre’ L. Henry Scholarship Fund. Tulsa-area scholarships have been funded by the Grace and Franklin Bernsen Foundation, the Hille Foundation, the David E. and Cassie L. Temple Foundation, the Tulsa Foundation and the Harold C. Stuart Foundation.

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence administers a memorial and honorary gifts program benefiting its Teacher Scholarship Fund. For more information or to learn about giving opportunities to the Teacher Scholarship Fund, contact the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence at (405) 236-0006.