SALISBURY, Md. - The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded nearly $1.2 million to Salisbury University to offer scholarships to help produce more middle and high school teachers in science and mathematics.
"The State of Maryland has identified math and science as critical shortage areas meaning the demand for teachers is much, way higher than the supply," said Dr. Randall Groth, a math education professor.
A team of faculty will establish the NSF’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program at SU.
The five-year effort offers $1,500 internship stipends to current freshmen and scholarships totaling $20,000 to current sophomores for their remaining two years.
SU students may apply for the funding awards starting Monday, April 1.
"We're hoping the scholarships draw in math and science majors who may not have considered teaching in the past," said Groth.
Scholarship awardees are required to teach for two years after graduation for each year of funding received. SU students may fulfill this commitment in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico or Worcester counties, or another high-need district.
The scholarship provides $10,000 for the junior year and $10,000 for the senior year. Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 G.P.A. and, as juniors, meet all requirements of SU’s Professional Teacher Education Program. Sophomores interested in applying should visit salisbury.academicworks.com.
Freshmen interested in the stipend, or anyone with questions about the program, should contact one of the four faculty advisors: Groth (regroth@salisbury.edu) or Bergner (jabergner@salisbury.edu) for mathematics education and Weaver (sdweaver@salisbury.edu) or Welsh (gswelsh@salisbury.edu) for science education.