Alaska College of Education Consortium announces second year of Teacher Internship Scholarship Program

The Alaska College of Education Consortium (which encompasses the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and University of Alaska Southeast) recently announced the second year of its Teacher Internship Scholarship Program.

According to a press release from University of Alaska, this annual scholarship program is designed to enhance educational opportunities across the state and relieve the financial challenges students face while engaged in their crucial full-time internships along their path to becoming educators. This is initiative is supported by the collaborative efforts of the Alaska State Legislature, Governor Mike Dunleavy, UA President Pat Pitney, and ACEC Liaison Bridget Weiss.

"The collaborative support from across our state is vital in shaping the future of education in Alaska. Working alongside our ACEC liaison, Bridget Weiss, we are making strides in educational excellence," UAS Interim Dean Carlee Simon stated in the press release.

Teachers trained through a high-quality, year-long internship-based program are three times more likely to remain teaching in the classroom after three years compared to those in fast-track or emergency licensure programs, according to the press release.

The press release also indicated that supporting Alaskan students’ educational journey in becoming teachers increases the overall likelihood of retention and reduces a school district’s need to rely on costly recruiting outside the state.

"This opportunity ensures our teacher candidates can focus on their professional growth rather than their personal finances. It's a game-changer for aspiring educators in Alaska,” UAA School of Education Dean Tonia Dousay stated in the press release.

The Teacher Internship Scholarship is available for year-long internship programs that are central to the teacher education experience at UAA, UAF, and UAS.

The scholarship covers a range of certification levels and specialties and it’s open to undergraduate students in their final two years (60 credits) and graduate students in initial teaching licensure programs at any UA campus. It includes full tuition support and a $10,000 living stipend during full-time internship semesters.

“This scholarship has allowed me not to work during my student teaching semesters which provides me with time to focus so much more on the classroom. I don’t know what I would’ve done without it,” student Jubilee Carroll stated in the press release.

The 2024 scholarship application period opened January 8, 2024 for the 2024-2025 academic year. Applications for priority consideration are due by April 1. Announcements for scholarship recipients are scheduled for May.

Those with scholarship and application questions are encouraged to contact Alaska Colleges of Education Consortium Liaison, Bridget Weiss, at bweiss6@alaska.edu.

For more information, visit alaska.edu/teach/teacher-internship-scholarship

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com