A bill before the legislature this year would increase funding to a scholarship program aimed at diversifying the education profession, and CEA President Kate Dias was among those speaking in favor of the program’s expansion at a press conference this morning.
“I am a teacher in Manchester, which is a very diverse district, and I benefited immensely when I had the opportunity to work with a diverse teaching staff,” Dias said. “I became a better teacher. I became more aware of what my students need. I had more information to draw upon—and that benefited my students.”
At the press conference hosted by Senator Doug McCrory several college students spoke to the positive impact the scholarship program is already having.
“Being a person of color but also coming from a low-income background makes it difficult when it comes to finding money to support my daily needs,” said Sherrod Cuttino, a Central Connecticut State University student and recipient of the Aspiring Educators Diversity Scholarship.
“My main reason for becoming a teacher is, as others have said, I haven’t seen a lot of people who look like me in schools helping students, and I think that goes a long way,” Cuttino added. “Even now, being so young, I talk to other students, and they say I’m a role model to them. So, I can only imagine the effect on a larger scale when I become a teacher.”
Nylamar Samuels, another CCSU student and recipient of the scholarship, said, “I feel like this scholarship could really benefit and motivate a lot of students, like from my own hometown of New Britain, who could benefit from the scholarship and who otherwise would never have the money or the hope of going to college just because of the financial aspect of it.”
“Growing up, I didn’t really have a lot of support financially. This scholarship has allowed me to pursue my master’s degree and help ELA students. I’m going to be a bilingual teacher,” said Lizmarie Maldonado, an Eastern Connecticut State University student.
“We have to keep in mind that drawing these wonderful young people into our profession is only step one,” said Dias. “We need to figure out how to keep new teachers in our classrooms and think about how we’re supporting them and ensuring the profession continues to be attractive to them. That has a financial component, and this scholarship program plays an important part in reducing teachers’ student loan burden. We need to make sure young educators can afford to live and work in the State of Connecticut.”
Eligible students who are enrolled in an approved educator preparation program can apply before Friday, March 15, to receive up to $10,000 in scholarships annually.
To be eligible for a scholarship, a student must come from a diverse background and graduate from a public high school in one of Connecticut’s 16 Priority School Districts. Priority Districts are set by the State Board of Education and in the 2023–2024 school year include: Ansonia, Bridgeport, Danbury, Derby, East Hartford, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Norwich, Stamford, Waterbury, and Windham.
“I am excited to see us expanding this scholarship program, and I look forward to the ways in which we continue to build a thriving teaching profession for these young people,” said Dias. “I’m thrilled to have them join us.”
