DSEA Scholarships

$1,000 Future Teacher Christopher K. Smith Scholarship

Delawares professional educators - the 11,500 members of the Delaware State Education Association - annually consider up to two $1,000 cash scholarship in order to help a future teacher enter todays most rewarding, critical and challenging profession. The scholarship is given in memory of Chris Smith, a social studies teacher in the Colonial School District, an advocate for students and members, and an NEA (National Education Association ) Director for Delaware. Husband of DSEA Past-President Earlene Gillan-Smith, he passed away suddenly in 1989.

The members of DSEA invite all high school seniors graduating from a public school who intend to pursue a career in teaching, to apply for this DSEA scholarship.

Criteria

The Selection Committee will consider:

• class rank
• grade point average (as shown on a transcript of high school record through first semester of senior year)
• SAT scores
• school activities for the past 4 years
• awards/honors
• career plans
• TWO letters of reference from the students teachers (these letters should expand upon the students activities and leadership record in high school, as well as the students personal traits, character and degree of initiative)

Application and Award Procedures

• Application forms have been sent to all high school counseling offices or you can print one out here (see below).
• Applications and letters of reference should be sent or delivered to: DSEA Scholarship Committee,136 East Water Street, Dover, DE 19901. Applications must be postmarked no later than March 14, 2008.
• On or about April 2, 2008, DSEA will notify the top five finalists, inviting them to participate in an interview and complete an essay (one-hour time limit) on Saturday, April 15 at DSEA headquarters in Dover.
• DSEA will announce the winner on or before April 24, 2008.
• DSEA will send the scholarship check to the winning student upon proof of registration for the first semester of college.

Terms and Conditions

The recipient is expected to pursue a four-year college degree leading to a Delaware teacher certificate and teach in a public school, preferably in Delaware, for at least one year. Recipient must be employed for one year as a teacher in a public school district within one year of graduation. Should these conditions not be met, the scholarship will be viewed s a loan, repayable with interest.

Questions? Contact Sandy Dearman at DSEA Headquarters (1-866-734-5834 or 302-734-5834).

"I touch the future, I teach"

- Christa McAuliffe (1948-1986)

NASA Teacher in Space

---

Application Form for Christopher K. Smith Memorial Scholarship

Open to public school seniors who intend to pursue a career in teaching.

Print this out and send in with letters of reference. See below.

Name___________________________________________________________________

Address___________________________________________ Home phone________________________________________________________

Name of High School_____________________________ School phone__________________________________________________________

Awards/honors_____________________________________________________________

Leadership roles held in school and/or with community organizations______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Names of TWO colleges to which applicant has applied (please indicate whether or not you have been accepted)

(1)__________________________________________________

(2)__________________________________________________

Career Plans________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Signed:________________________________ Signed:________________________________

(applicant) (parent or guardian)

The following items MUST be submitted in support of your application:
** letters of reference from two teachers indicating the capacity in which this person as known you, your activities and leadership record in high school, as well as your personal traits, character, and degree of initiative

** a transcript of your high school record (highlighting honors classes), including: classrank, SAT scores, grade point average, Please include a profile of the grading system

** list of activities participated in during the past four years

Applications and letters of reference should be sent to: DSEA Scholarship Committee, 136 E. Water Street, Dover, DE 19901. Applications must be postmarked by March 14, 2008.

To see past winners, click here. and then click on Christopher K. Smith Memorial Scholarship For Future Teachers.