The Future Educator Scholars Program is an innovative project established to produce teachers more reflective of the diversity in the community. (In 2009-2010, 75% of the students in the San Diego Unified School District were from minority communities while only 24% of the teachers represented these groups.)
The Future Educator Scholars Program includes:
- Scholarships that will enable Future Educator Scholars to become teachers by earning a BA/BS degree, teaching credential, and an opportunity to teach in the San Diego Unified School District.
- Mentoring and Counseling to ensure success in college, as many of these Scholars are the first in their families to attend college
- Future Educator Clubs in High Schools that encourage careers in teaching
- An annual "Future Educators" Conference
Applicants are interviewed and selected as Scholars based upon financial need, demonstrated record of academic achievement, community service and faculty recommendations.
Most of the students reflect the growing diversity of the community-- Hispanic, Asian and African-American.
As teachers, the Scholars will become role models for the next generation of students in our schools.
The goal of the Program is that each Scholar has an opportunity to teach in the District and agrees to teach for at least three years. The Program has produced 134 Scholars who are "teaching eligible" and Scholars have been employed in 64 schools in San Diego.
Mentoring and Counseling
The Future Educator Scholars Program provides extraordinary support to the Scholars with ongoing mentoring and counseling for students throughout college and while earning their teaching credentials. Retired educators share their years of experience with the Scholars when providing the mentoring and counseling services.
Future Educator Clubs
There are Future Educator Clubs in District's high schools. Club members learn about teaching as a career and engage in activities such as acting as teaching assistants and shadowing teachers, etc.
Annual "Future Educators" Conference
The Future Educator Scholars Program produces an annual conference on how to become a teacher for members of the District's Future Educator of America Clubs. At the conference, students learn from teachers, counselors and administrators about the skills needed to teach at the elementary and secondary levels. A panel of current and former Scholars provides tips on how to be successful in college. Local colleges and universities send representatives to conduct relevant workshops.
86% of All Donations Are Used for Scholarships
A community Board of Directors governs the SDEF that operates the Future Educator Scholars Program. The Board is able to distribute 86 cents from every dollar donated for scholarships because it does not have full-time staff and receives in-kind services such as accounting support.
The SDEF relies on donations from individuals, foundations and the business community.
The SDEF Board awards "named scholarships" for each $2,500 gift received. Information on the "named" scholars progress is distributed to the donor.
The SDEF is a (501(c)(3) charitable organization. I.D. #95-6095413