The GRCC Teachers of Tomorrow (TOT) Scholarship Program

The GRCC Teachers of Tomorrow (TOT) Scholarship

Program

Linking Donors with Students

Brief History

• Teacher ED at GRCC began in the early 1990’s when Michigan CC’s were invited to join 4-year colleges and universities to improve Teacher ED.

• Large 10M$ Grant: Michigan Statewide Systemic Initiative (MSSI). A recognition of the Role of CC’s in the preparation of new teachers.

• Started as Teacher ED Club called the Teacher Education Pathway.

History…• Submitted/Received a

grant from the WEGE Foundation for $100,000 for scholarship funds. (Steelcase Corp. Office Furniture)

• Spent $$ to promote, recruit, and support minorities and males into Teacher ED.

• Submitted/Received 2 Eisenhower Grants to create a program linking Grand Rapids Public Schools + GRCC + Grand Valley State University = more Minority Teachers for GRPS.

Time Line…A Bumpy Road with Many Curves

• Great plan…worked for 4 years…but coalitions require people with a passion, longevity and a sustainable budget.

• 15 Retirements, 12 Reorganizations, 2 Recessions, 4 Superintendents, 6 Deans, AND 106 Department Heads later…program dies.

• GRCC left to carry the football…

The next several years were spent internally designing a sustainable teacher education program around

6 Components that would meet the needs of GRCC students.

Teacher Education at

GRCC

6 Components

For Success

Dedicated Faculty

Volunteer Work & Academic Service Learning

Communication: Seminars & Newsletters

Support f or Under-

represented

Groups

TOTS

Strong Transfer Programs

Our Story…• In 2006, the Teacher

Education Pathway merged with the long standing Early Childhood Program under the direction of Becky Brinks Ph.D. and became the GRCC Early Childhood & Teacher Education Department.

• GRCC Teacher ED found a home!

Teacher Education at

GRCC

6 Components

For Success

Dedicated Faculty

Volunteer Work & Academic Service Learning

Communication: Seminars & Newsletters

Support f or Under-

represented

Groups

TOTS

Strong Transfer Programs

Collectively, the 6 Components have become a ‘selling point’ when talking with the college Administration and Foundation donors.

1. Dedicated Faculty: The Teachers of Teachers Group

• A ‘virtual’ Dept. • Courses linked to

teacher education taught by teachers who are dedicated to future teachers.

• English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Music, Art, Physical Ed, Psych…

Teacher ED has Enjoyed Strong Administrative

Support

2. Transfer Programs

Ferris State University

Grand Valley State University.

Western Michigan University.

Central Michigan University.

Aquinas College

Cornerstone University

•GRCC

3. Communication: Pertinent, Timely & Usable Information—Seminars

Seminars

Newsletters…

Support… Mentors in

each of the content areas.

Academic Advising

4. Outreach to Under-represented Groups

Carole Redwine -multicultural ed. -serves as a mentor. -currently heading a

project to recruit more minority males into secondary education.

-established links to inner city schools for volunteer work.

5. Volunteer and Service Learning Opportunities

• Many of the content courses include a Service Learning component.

6. The TOT Scholarship Program: Helping Students Financially

• Most GRCC students work. W2011…67% are part time.

• Most struggle to balance study time with work time and family time.

• Work = Good Grades.

Testing the Waters…• Late 1990’s: Teacher ED team met

with GRCC Foundation to identify donors with links to Education.

• Discovered that Financial Aid Dept. often struggled to find qualified students for endowed scholarships.

• (Endowed Scholarships require a minimum of $25,000.)

Sniff’n Around…

• Discovered scholarships dedicated to the memory of family members who were career teachers/administrators.

• Funds often restricted to students of specific gender who would teach specific courses at a specific level.

• Eg. Female, third-grade, English.

Challenges• Good intentions created painfully

difficult decisions for the scholarship committee.

• Scholarships went unawarded.• Problems on two ends: Donor

Restrictions (Wishes) & Poor Information on Applicants’ Educational Goals.

TOTS Program Created• As GRCC Teacher ED

evolved and matured, Financial Aid Dept. and GRCC Foundation happily accepted the idea of Teacher ED overseeing the awarding process.

• Late 1990’s GRCC Teachers of Tomorrow Scholarship Program was formally introduced.

The Color of $$$

• TOTS Committee and GRCC Foundation Director identified current and potential donors.

• Individual lunch meetings were set up with donors on GRCC campus. (Heritage Restaurant and McCabe-Marlow Victorian Home)

Hitching-Up Our TOTS Wagon…

• Started with the WEGE Foundation. Luncheon with GRCC Administration, Foundation, Teachers and Recipients of WEGE Scholarships.

• Submitted/Received another $100,000 grant from WEGE Foundation = The WEGE Teachers of Tomorrow Scholarship Fund.

• WEGE funds are UNRESTRICTED FUNDS given at the discretion of the TOT Scholarship Committee.

Building Off a Recognizable Donor

• With WEGE backing we met with other current and potential TOTS donors.

• Excitement & Energy around the TOTS Program.

• Donors were pleased w/faculty involvement & well structured program.

• A general appeal to GRCC Faculty and Staff to contribute smaller amounts to the TOT Scholarship Fund under the WEGE name.

Stewardship = Growth $$• Since 2000, the original Wege TOTS fund

balance has grown:

$100,000 -> $130,000 -> $150,000 ->

$170,000+• Donations have come from individual gifts

from faculty, staff and community members.• Over 300 individual gifts have grown the

fund. (eg. Memorials in honor of deceased faculty.)

• Currently working on a new Social Science Scholarship.

Teachers of Tomorrow ScholarshipsUmbrella of Funds

Teachers of Tomorrow ScholarshipsUmbrella of Funds

WEGE Fund: UnrestrictedWEGE Fund: Unrestricted

Elve-DeVries Fund: Science

Elve-DeVries Fund: Science

Sharon Fund: Math

Sharon Fund: Math

Hannink Fund: Female

Hannink Fund: Female

Runkel Family: Female-(Now Unrestricted)Fratzke

Fund: Early Childhood

Peters Family: English/Art

Peters Family: English/Art

Stewardship Rewarded• GRCC Foundation

initiated a Connections Breakfast linking donors with recipients. Each year a donor is honored with a special presentation.

• 2009 Wege Foundation honored.

• Following the breakfast, GRCC was ‘invited’ to submit another grant proposal to increase the Wege fund balance.

Time for a Short Video…

The TOT Umbrella of Funds Increases

• In June 2010, GRCC was awarded $200,000 from the Wege Foundation.

• The current value of all the endowed scholarships under the TOTS umbrella is approaching $1,000,000.

• Scholarships range from $1000-$2000 for full time students-less for part time. (2011 funding goal).

• We average 15-20 scholarships/year.

5 Reasons Donors Give $$• The Wege

Foundation told GRCC that the reason for their continued financial support is linked to the following:

1. Proven Track Record. (Recipients stay and teach in West Michigan).

Matt is One of GRCC’s Success Stories.

• Since 2002, over 200 GRCC students completed teacher certification through Ferris State University.

• Have matched, or out performed, the state average on the Michigan Test of Teacher Competency .

2. Little (if any) Overhead $$ Goes into Foundation $$ Goes to Students

Selling the TOTS Program…

3. Worthy Local Cause. Helping a diverse student body (GRCC students need financial help. The MOMS).

4. Sustainable Leadership (same dedicated faculty/staff-many for 20 years).

5. Public Recognition for Our Efforts:

• In 2007 our program was recognized by Phi Theta Kappa—the nation’s largest honor society in American higher education.

• Teacher Education was also honored in 2008 by the Michigan Association of Community College Education Programs (MACCEP) for our efforts to prepare new teachers.

• GRCC Teacher ED was featured in the GRCC Community Connections magazine that is sent to the residents of Kent County (our tax base).

We Host a Fall TOTS Luncheon

• Recipients + family member are invited to an Award Luncheon.

• A BIG SPLASH to start a new school year.

Nothing Like Good Food Linking the Scholar w/a Scholarship…

Attended by the Teachers of Teachers faculty group +

Foundation + Administration.

Individual Awards

2010-2011 TOTS

2009 TOTS

What We’ve Learned and What We Do!

• Rigorous Application Process: – No HS students…15 college credits.– Two letters of recommendation.– Documented Service Learning or Volunteer Hours.– ED curriculum code. – Major(s) & Minor(s) & Level (Elementary or

Secondary).– 2.8 + GPA & copy of transcript.– Essay.– Renewable for 3 years.– Participate in TED activities like Seminars &

Connections. Breakfast.– Not free $$.– A challenge to recruit more male candidates for TOT

scholarships.

Promoting the TOT Scholarship Program

In Conclusion: GRCC has worked hard to create a sustainable teacher

education program that provides academic, informational and financial

support for future teachers in the Grand Rapids area.

The TOTS Program is most grateful to

the donors who have entrusted us with the management & distribution of

their funds.