Kalamazoo Times

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) hopes to strengthen the state's teacher pipeline through scholarships that will improve Michigan's education system.

Future educators can apply for one of up to 2,500 scholarships, worth $10,000 each, according to a press release from the governor’s office. Student teachers can apply to receive $9,600 in funds. State officials hope they will attract and retain more qualified teachers by lowering the cost of higher education. That will help decrease class sizes and allow teachers to provide individualized attention to students. 

"MI Future Educator Fellowships will help up to 2,500 aspiring teachers every year by lowering their cost of higher education by $10,000," Whitmer said in the press release. "I am proud that we came together to fund this fellowship in our bipartisan education budget, proving that we can work across the aisle to ensure every kid in every district has excellent educators. I urge all future educators to apply for their $10,000 scholarships starting Oct. 31. Let's keep strengthening the teacher pipeline."

Future teachers who receive a $10,000 scholarship must commit to teaching in a Michigan classroom for at least three years after graduation, the press release noted. A bipartisan education budget led to the establishment of the scholarships. The budget also included "the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history and record investments in school infrastructure, mental health, and school safety."

"Not only will this program help lower the financial barrier many face when seeking to become an educator, it will help our state reinvigorate the ranks of those seeking to become educators, which will help address the shortage of staff across the state," David Hecker, president of AFT (American Federation of Teachers) Michigan, said in the press release. "Many people do not realize the student teachers in their child's classroom are not getting paid, despite the important work they're doing for students and their future as an educator.

"The $9,600 stipend for student teachers is a critical step toward compensating student teachers for the hard work they do and will help encourage them to stay in the profession right here in Michigan."

Students must be a Michigan resident, earn at least a 3.0 GPA, and be working toward their first teacher certification in order to be eligible for the scholarship, according to the press release.

"We are excited to see the MI Future Educator Fellowship program put into place and to welcome the newest generation of leaders into teacher preparation programs across the state," Paula Herbart, president of the Michigan Education Association and co-chair of Launch Michigan, said in the press release. "We must tear down the barriers that prevent many talented young people from choosing teaching as a profession, and this new fellowship program will go a long way toward accomplishing that goal."