Charles Butt Scholarships for Aspiring Teachers
About the Charles Butt Scholarships for Aspiring Teachers
The Charles Butt Scholarships for Aspiring Teachers consists of $8,000-$10,000 in annual funding for up to four years, as well as ongoing professional development opportunities, mentorship from sitting public school educators, and participation in a statewide aspiring teachers network facilitated by the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation.
Approximately 100 new scholarships are awarded through 13 eligible universities and partner programs, with the cohort growing to include 500 scholars annually. The competitive selection process includes an application, pre-screening by university teams, and a daylong event consisting of a group activity, mock teaching lesson, and panel interview.
Selection Criteria
Charles Butt scholarship applicants must:
- Once admitted to the teacher education program: Must be a student pursing the STEP UP program pathway to teacher certification with our partners Brownsville ISD, Harlingen CISD, Los Fresnos CISD, or McAllen ISD.
- Enroll or be enrolled full-time in a partner university program that will lead to a teaching certificate
- Be a Texas resident
- Have a strong academic record and history of achievement
- Have demonstrated peer or group leadership skills
- Demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a career in education in high-needs Texas public schools upon completion of the program
Charles Butt Scholar Knowledge, Skills, and Values
Raise Your Hand has identified the following knowledge, skills, and values each Charles Butt Scholar must demonstrate:
- Written communication
- Oral communication
- Collaboration
- Leadership
- Altruism
- Persistence and continuous learning
- Passion for education
- Belief in the power of teaching
- Academic achievement
Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation
- Support for Charles Butt Scholars
- Scholarship Benefits
- Ongoing requirements
- Scholarship Timeline
- How to Apply
Support for Charles Butt Scholars
In addition to scholarship funding, the Raising Texas Teachers initiative will supplement the rigorous education scholars receive at our partner programs by providing scholars opportunities to benefit from ongoing professional development, mentoring and feedback from teachers and principals, and connections with fellow Charles Butt Scholars across Texas.
This combination of education and supports is designed to ensure scholars have opportunities to practice and develop pedagogical skills in authentic classroom settings, observe masterful teaching in action, reflect on feedback from expert teachers and school leaders, and participate in a community that fosters professional growth.
Scholarship Benefits
All Charles Butt scholars will receive the following forms of financial and professional support:
- A scholarship of up to $8,000 per year for up to four years
- Mentorship from a local educator or principal
- Participation in local and statewide cohort meetings of aspiring teachers
- Invitation and funds to attend the Raise Your Hand Texas Leadership Symposium
- Inclusion in an on-campus teaching scholar club
- Professional support as they near graduation
- An online community for scholars across the state to connect
Ongoing requirements
Charles Butt scholars must:
- Remain a full-time student enrolled in a program that will lead to a teaching certificate at one of the 11 partner programs;
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average;
- Participate in Raise Your Hand professional development activities;
- Receive a letter of recommendation for continuation from the IHE program leader each year; and
- Plan to teach in a high-needs classroom in a Texas public school upon completion of the program.
Scholarship Timeline
Scholarship Timeline:
October 10, 2022:
Applications open.
February 15, 2023:
Application closes.
How to Apply
The Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers selection process has two rounds. First, applicants must complete and submit an application, and will be contacted to schedule an interview/lesson demonstration. Next, applicants will interview and present a lesson to the College of Education and P-16 Integration (CEP) Charles Butt Scholarship Review Committee as part of the pre-screening process.
The CEP Scholarship Review Committee will send top-scoring applicants to the foundation for selection of finalists. The Raise Your Hand Foundation will select finalists invited to a daylong event of interview, group activity, and the presentation of a lesson. Based on these scores, the next cohort of UTRGV Charles Butt Scholars will be selected. Good luck Vaqueros!
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the University Program Leader, Dr. Criselda Garcia or the College of Education and P-16 Integration Outreach Representative, Mr. Derek Perez.
| Name | Phone (956) | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Criselda Garcia University Program Leader |
665-3448 | criselda.garcia@utrgv.edu | Edinburg EDUC 3.102G |
| Derek Perez Outreach Rep II |
665-3097 | derek.perez@utrgv.edu | Edinburg EDUC 2.520 |
To apply for the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers. Use the Apply button below to take you to Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers application platform.