Students wanting to teach either math or science for grades seven through 12 can receive up to $4,000 a year through Choose Appalachian Teaching.
The program offers a yearly scholarship for students who plan to teach math or science for a minimum of three years in one of Ohio's 29 Appalachian counties.
Students from Ohio University, Marietta College, Muskingum University, Shawnee State University and the University of Rio Grande can receive a maximum of $16,000 over a period of four years. A $2,500-per-year scholarship is also available for students at OU's five regional campuses.
This area of the state wants to have a high quality math and science department in these rural areas
said Greg Foley, the scholarship program's director and an OU professor.
Middle school and high school students are now required to take four years of math and three lab-based sciences to graduate, creating a greater need for math and science teachers, Foley said.
Money for the program's 75 scholarships comes from a $1-million allocation from the Ohio Board of Regents, he said. Many people don't know about the scholarship; that is why about 50 are still available, he said.
The big goal this year is to get the word out Foley said.
First-generation college students are given priority, and applicants don't have to live in an Appalachian county to apply.
However, applicants have to be willing and committed to teaching in an Appalachian (county) to get the scholarship for three years after Foley said.
The state relies on the honor code, he said. Students are expected to be honest and make good faithful commitments.
Nicholas Conroy, an OU sophomore studying science education, said he would like to teach in the Athens or Hocking area.
(I) wanted to give back to the rural community
Conroy said, calling the scholarship a great networking tool.
Last year, Conroy and other scholarship recipients met the governor as well as teachers, principals and superintendents who work in Appalachian counties.
The deadline to apply for the scholarship is June 1. More information is available at www.cehs.ohio.edu/CAT.
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Alex Felser
