Maine's Future Teachers
Project Opportunity seeks applicants for a two-year competitive scholarship program that will prepare future teachers to work with students who speak English as a Second Language (ESL) in Maine’s public schools.
The project seeks undergraduate and graduate candidates in teacher preparation programs at the University of Maine in math, science, language arts, social studies, ESL, and other subject areas. Admission criteria for the project includes academic excellence, dedication to obtain an ESL endorsement, and commitment to Maine’s K-12 public schools after graduation. Project Opportunity will provide support to participants to help them complete their coursework and teaching certification, fulfill 15 hours of ESL coursework, and pass the ESL Praxis II exam. The project will offer each selected participant up to $8000 in scholarships and tuition waivers to participate in project activities and complete required coursework. Participants will receive scholarships of up to $3,000 over two years along with tuition waivers for up to five ESL endorsement courses (15 credit hours). Participants may remain in the program for up to two years and will receive mentorship, advising, assistance with job placement, and other professional development services.
Support for the ESL Praxis II exam and other relevant workshops will be held for participants.
In order to remain in the project, participants must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and demonstrate successful progress toward project completion.
Undergraduate applications may be submitted prior the junior year, however entrance into the program is limited to students who have completed 60 credit hours of coursework and are eligible for graduation within two years. Graduate applications can be submitted during any application period.
Eligible candidates must:
~Be enrolled at the University of Maine in a program leading to state teaching certification;
~Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0;
~Have successfully completed the Praxis I exam;
~Be eligible for graduation within two years of being accepted into the project;
~Submit a completed application packet.
