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OFE News Release

Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Offers Teacher Scholarships for Professional Development

October 14, 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma teachers can apply through Nov. 14 for professional development scholarships administered by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, a nonprofit organization that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools.

Teacher Scholarships for Professional Development are designed to enhance students’ learning by allowing their 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 the expense of hiring a substitute teacher.

Scholarships will be awarded this December for teacher conferences and institutes scheduled any time in 2009. 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 on or before Nov. 14.

“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 for Excellence launched its Teacher Scholarships for Professional Development in spring 2003. Since then, 209 scholarship recipients throughout Oklahoma have attended professional development offerings in such areas as reading, fine arts, English, mathematics, science and special education.

Westmoore High teacher Judy Schwarz, who received a 2008 Boeing Scholarship in Math and Science to attend the Texas Instruments Tech International Conference in Dallas, said the scholarships open doors for teachers to receive training that they might not otherwise receive.

“We want our students to be lifelong learners, and it is important for me to model this for my high school students,” Schwarz added. “When I returned from my conference, I was like a kid in a candy store, able to integrate new technology into my lessons. Because I am excited, my students are excited, which helps learning come naturally for them.”

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.

Applicants may apply for scholarships in one of five categories: the Audre’ L. Henry Scholarship for Special Education Teachers; 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.

Offered for its sixth year is the Audre’ L. Henry Scholarship for Special Education Teachers. This scholarship was established through memorial gifts made to the Foundation for Excellence in honor of Gov. Brad Henry’s mother, a former special education teacher and school administrator, who died in 2003.

Teacher Scholarships for Professional Development are also made possible through support from the Boeing Co. of Oklahoma City, the Community Foundation of Ardmore and the Kenneth and Juliette Woodward estate. Scholarships in the Tulsa area have been funded by the Hille Foundation, the David E. and Cassie L. Temple 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 or visit the foundation’s Web site at www.ofe.org.