Education Majors
Maybe you’ve had the benefit of having a teacher who looked like you and you want to be that person to future generations. Or maybe you wish you had a teacher who looked like you and are determined to be that teacher who is there to advocate for students and relate to them at the level you wish you’d had.
Either way, you recognize how important it is for all students to have effective, qualified, diverse teachers. Here are some resources available to you to complete your journey to the classroom:
IGNITE Diversity Scholarships
IGNITE Diversity Scholarships, provided through the University of North Florida to diverse male athletes, provide $2,500 scholarships to five individuals who are considering teaching as a career. In addition, the recipients are invited to participate in the IGNITE Young Professionals group for networking, learning, and leading in education.
KIPP Jacksonville
KIPP Jacksonville offers the Baker Teaching Fellowship to grow educational leaders. The Fellowship provides focused development, support, and structure to individuals launching a career in urban public education and is ideal for people graduating from an education preparation school.
Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) prepares you to work toward educating children from pre-kindergarten to third grade using a mix of hands-on classroom instruction, flexible online learning and real-world internship experiences. Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Early Education (pre-K to 3rd grade) degree graduate with the ability to earn the Florida Department of Education Professional Educator Certificate (PreK/Primary) and an ESOL endorsement, and the Department of Children and Families Staff Credentials (VPK).
The University of North Florida’s Center for Urban Education and Policy provides quality education for socially and economically disenfranchised groups. The Urban Education Scholarship Program provides $6,000 scholarships for high school students to pursue a career in education through the University of North Florida. Preference is given to students in the northeast Florida region who come from a historically underrepresented group.
The Florida Fund for Minority Teachers provides annual scholarships to students studying education at any one of 35 institutions in Florida, including UNF and FSCJ. The program awards $4,000 annual scholarships to eligible students, who are also required to attend an annual symposium where they can network and gain additional professional skills.
Once you graduate, we invite you to apply to teach at Duval County Public Schools, KIPP Jacksonville or the YMCA Tiger Academy and take advantage of the incentives offered by the 1,000 by 2025 Initiative.
City Year AmeriCorps members spend a year working full-time in schools, gaining classroom experience and the opportunity of a lifetime. During this gap year, high school students build skills inside and outside the classroom that prepare them for greater opportunities in college and later, as teachers. At the end of the year, AmeriCorps members receive more than $6,000 for college or other professional learning and also have access to additional scholarships.
Many of the students you'll be helping reach their potential live in systemically under-resourced communities where external factors can make it hard for students to come to school ready to learn every day. These obstacles may include food and housing insecurity, trauma or health or safety issues.
City Year AmeriCorps members receive robust training to develop their skills in the classroom and beyond. These learning experiences can follow many different formats, including instructor-led sessions, e-learning, practical exercises, on the job experience and continual coaching and feedback throughout your service year.