Grand Rapids — GRPS is the first school system in Michigan to partner with Davenport on a new STEM Educator Scholarship program to build the teacher pipeline.
On May 2, at Innovation Central High School, Davenport and GRPS inked an agreement for the program which is offered statewide.
The new partnership is intended to address Michigan’s teacher talent shortage which Davenport President Richard Pappas described as “a major crisis for Michigan.” He noted that each partner school district will be eligible for 75 scholarships, including up to 25 for current students, up to 25 for school employees and up to 25 for parents of students currently enrolled in the school district.
The formal arrangement creates 75 new scholarships of $12,00 per year for current GRPS students, staff and parents for Davenport’s urban STEM education degree program. Each scholarship will be renewable for up to four years and can be used for tuition, fees, books, meal plans and housing.
“Davenport University has been an instrumental partner in helping us enhance the learning of our current staff to address the unique needs of our students for the last decade,” said GRPS Superintendent Leadriane Roby in a prepared statement. “Their approach to weekly mentorship has been revolutionary and we are thrilled now to extend this scholarship opportunity to our students, staff and community to address the real teacher talent crisis our community is facing.”Davenport is hoping to partner with 10 school districts across the state with the program available on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more, visit davenport.edu/school-partnership or email urbaneducation@davenport.edu.
