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Over $28,000 is available from the Gardner Family Teacher Scholarship (GiFTS), formerly the Yavapai County Education Scholarship Fund (ESEYC), to support aspiring teachers in Yavapai County.
Yavapai County residents interested in pursuing an education degree are eligible to receive one of several scholarships worth $2,000 or more for the next academic year. Written applications must be submitted by midnight on Monday, March 1, 2023.
Generous donations from individuals who donated through the Kieckhefer Foundation, Margaret T. Morris Foundation, Fann Contracting and Lions Clubs will allow the fund to continue.
Applications are available online. http://ycesa.com/gardner-teacher-scholarship/ Or call Jenn Nelson at 928 442-5138. Applications must be submitted by the deadline—no exceptions.
Applicants must graduate from an approved public high school in the county or be a Yavapai County resident who has lived in Yavapai County for one year. They must be dedicated to teaching any K-12 grade, preferably in Yavapai County. Applicants must have a high school or college/college grade point average of at least 3.0. Financial needs are considered.
GiFTS Board Co-Chairs Tara O’Neill and Danny Brown emphasized that the GIFTS Board needs to do more to address the current teacher shortage, especially in Yavapai County.
“Arizona and Yavapai County are facing a crisis of having enough qualified teachers to fill classrooms. This is the 23rd year that we have provided financial assistance to students who are planning to apply for or have been certified in our accredited teacher training program. Since its founding in 2001, 209 scholarships worth more than $432,000 have been awarded to those wishing to pursue teaching in public schools. I have provided the money.”
Support is also provided to displaced teachers seeking certification or recognition in additional areas to maintain their teaching career. These applicants must submit a written statement documenting the additional educational course required to maintain a job.
Recipients will be announced publicly at a 4:00 pm reception on Friday, April 28, 2023 at the Yavapai County Educational Services Authority.
GiFTS (ESEYC) is a non-profit organization run by a volunteer board representing various county communities. Gladys Gardner was a former teacher, later a member of the Arizona State Legislature, and eventually the superintendent of Yavapai County. Although she passed away on June 16, 2014, she bequeathed a significant amount of her fortune as a permanent donation to support aspiring teachers in Yavapai County.
Current board members are co-presidents Tara O’Neill and Danny Brown. Cory Gardner, Vice President. Tim Carter, secretary. and Ray Newton, Treasurer. Other Board members include Lance Burns, Leslie Horton, Gene Knight, Andy Smith, Ron Minnig, Honorary.
Read more stories from education upon Signals A Z.com.
