CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A good education can change anyone, but a good teacher can change everything.
"I think each one of us can attest to the idea that if you have had high-quality teachers in your schooling, that it leads to more value as a citizen in the future," Dean of the Cato College of Education at UNC Charlotte Dr. Malcolm Butler said.
Butler said UNC Charlotte's new partnership with the Barnhill Foundation will open doors for future educators.
"The goal of it is to increase the number of high-quality teachers that are teaching in our schools and particularly at CMS," Butler said.
Right now CMS has a total of 427 vacancies, with another three part-time positions that also need to be filled.
This new scholarship from the Barnhill Foundation aims to narrow the gap by adding more qualified teachers to the CMS school district.
"They're getting $10,000 per year towards the tuition and fees and other fields associated with their college program, " Butler said. After three years, recipients will be finished with their undergraduate degree, and they are committed to teaching in CMS schools for at least three years.
Butler said three students were awarded the Barnhill scholarship and, if all goes as planned and the students transition to CMS, the college is seeking additional funding.
"If this works this will be something that has the potential to be elevated and expanded, " said Butler. "We can have even more impact on what happens in our schools and our communities."
UNC Charlotte leaders said they’re optimistic the scholarship will continue to grow year after year, allowing them to bring an even bigger wave of well-prepared and passionate teachers to CMS classrooms.
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