Available to one undergraduate student at a college or university in Texas, with a preference for the greater Houston area. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "Why do you want to be an educator?"
Award
$1,000 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral student, or practicing K–12 educator in their first 3 years of teaching. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "What is the role of service in becoming a professional educator?" An additional document is required that describes your service to the chapter, community, and profession, and how your service made a difference.
Award
$1,250 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate student with a focus on Elementary Education and Common Core Standards, with students at a Louisiana college or university given preference; scholarship open to all KDP members. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "Briefly describe how you plan to implement the Common Core Standards using best practices and strategies for addressing the learning styles of each student."
Award
$1,250 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate student with a major in Elementary Education and/or Early Childhood Education. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, “Upon graduation, you have been hired to teach students in a first- or second-grade self-contained classroom. Address your plan to develop your students’ reading abilities as well as their love of reading.” You are encouraged to integrate your philosophy of education into the plan as it relates to the experiences you will create in your classroom to accomplish these goals.
Award
$1,250 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate student in Elementary or Secondary Education at any college or university. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "Write a clear, thoughtful essay addressing the importance of coherent content planning to ensure excellent teaching in your particular area(s) of concentration."
Award
$1,500 for one recipient
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Available to two undergraduate or graduate students in Elementary Education. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "What life experiences have led you to study education, and how will those experiences influence your role as an elementary educator?" An additional statement is required, demonstrating financial need. A statement could include describing the gap between financial aid and tuition costs and/or family and employment hardships.
Award
$1,000 each for two recipients
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Available to one undergraduate Education major with PK–12 emphasis who is a resident of Indiana or Ohio. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "Write an original essay that reflects your reasons for wanting to be a teacher (identify level—elementary, middle, high school, college, etc.) and indicate what professional challenges you expect to face upon the completion of your degree."
Award
$1,000 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate or graduate student majoring in Special Education. Graduate students must have an emphasis in dyslexia and/or autism. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, “Discuss your approach to working with students with special needs, particularly dyslexia and autism.” Your response should include your tailored approach to communicating with students with special needs as well as their parents regarding learning progress, social interactions, and environmental adjustments.
Award
$1,000 for one recipient
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Available to two undergraduate student teachers. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, “Write an essay that portrays your personal vision as an educator and how your student teaching experience influenced your future career goals.” An additional statement is required, demonstrating financial need. A statement could include describing the gap between financial aid and tuition costs and/or family and employment hardships.
Award
$700 for two recipients
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Available to one undergraduate Elementary Education major with a science, math, or technology focus. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "Write an essay that portrays your personal vision as an educator and how you intend to make a difference in the general education of children and youth through science, math, or technology."
Award
$1,000 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate student in Instrumental Music Education (band and/or orchestra). The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "Write an essay that portrays your personal vision as an educator and how you intend to make a difference in the musical and general education of children and youth."
Award
$2,250 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate student in Elementary or Secondary Education. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "Write an original essay that reflects your reasons for wanting to be a teacher and indicate what professional challenges you expect to face upon the completion of your degree."
Award
$750 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate or graduate student who writes a research paper based on issues that affect teachers and learning. In lieu of an essay, please submit a research paper completed between May 1, 2021, and April 30, 2022, that was part of an undergraduate or graduate program in a recognized school or college of education. Papers will be considered based on the following criteria: significance of topic, adequacy, and appropriateness of methodology (especially those representing various methodologies, e.g., experimental, ethnographic, statistical, historical, survey), as well as writing clarity.
Award
$1,250 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate or graduate student in Special Education. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "What are the challenges facing teachers working with students with special needs?"
Award
$1,000 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate student in Education residing in Marion County, Indiana, and attending a college or university in Indiana. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "Write an original essay that reflects your reasons for wanting to be a teacher (identify level—elementary, middle, high school, college, etc.) and indicate what professional challenges you expect to face upon the completion of your degree."
Award
$750 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral student, or practicing educator dedicated to leadership and service in KDP. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "What are your professional and personal reasons for seeking leadership and service opportunities in KDP? How have your academic program(s) and experiences prepared you for such an endeavor?"
Award
$1,000 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate student in Education. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "Write an original essay that reflects your reasons for wanting to be a teacher (identify level—elementary, middle, high school, college, etc.) and indicate what professional challenges you expect to face upon the completion of your degree."
Award
$1,250 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate student in Education at Kent State University. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "Write an original essay that reflects your reasons for wanting to be a teacher (identify level—elementary, middle, high school, college, etc.) and indicate what professional challenges you expect to face upon the completion of your degree."
Award
$1,250 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate student at East Carolina University in Special Education or Middle Grades Education. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "Write an original essay that reflects your reasons for wanting to be a special education or middle grades teacher and indicate what professional challenges you expect to face upon the completion of your degree."
Award
$2,500 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral student, or practicing K–12 educator in their first 3 years of teaching. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, “What is the role of service in becoming a professional educator?” An additional document is required, describing your service to the chapter, community, and profession, and how your service made a difference.
Award
$1,250 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate or graduate student who writes a research paper based on issues that affect teachers and learning. In lieu of an essay, please submit a research paper completed between May 1, 2022, and April 30, 2023, that was part of an undergraduate or graduate program in a recognized school or college of education. Papers will be considered based on the following criteria: significance of topic, adequacy, and appropriateness of methodology (especially those representing various methodologies, e.g., experimental, ethnographic, statistical, historical, survey.), as well as writing clarity.
Award
$1,250 for one recipient
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Available to two undergraduate or graduate students in Elementary Education. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, “What life experiences have led you to study education, and how will those experiences influence your role as an elementary educator?” An additional statement is required, demonstrating financial need. A statement could include describing the gap between financial aid and tuition costs and/or family and employment hardships.
Award
$1,000 for two recipients
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Available to one undergraduate or graduate student majoring in Special Education. Graduate students must have an emphasis in dyslexia and/or autism. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, “Discuss your approach to working with students with special needs, particularly dyslexia and autism.” Your response should include your tailored approach to communicating with students with special needs as well as their parents regarding learning progress, social interactions, and environmental adjustments.
Award
$1,000 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate or graduate student in Special Education. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "What are the challenges facing teachers working with students with special needs?"
Award
$1,000 for one recipient
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Available to one graduate student in Curriculum and Instruction. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, “What challenging demands and opportunities of the 21st century make a graduate degree program in the practices and policies of curriculum and teaching desirable?”
Award
$750 for one recipient
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KDP is honored to serve as the endowment manager for the legacy of the Louise M. Berman Fellows Fund. Dr. Berman was a longtime member of KDP and an honored Laureate. Available to one graduate student at the master’s or doctoral level. Unlike the other scholarships, this award does not require KDP membership. The purpose of this award is to advance curriculum, drive creative inquiry into the human condition, collaborate on cross-national education projects, and encourage personal growth.
Award
$2,000 for one recipient
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Available to one undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral student, or practicing educator dedicated to leadership and service in KDP. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "What are your professional and personal reasons for seeking leadership and service opportunities in KDP? How have your academic program(s) and experiences prepared you for such an endeavor?"
Award
$1,000 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Brenna Katherine Tipton, University of Tennessee at Martin, William Blount High School (Tennessee)
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Available to one doctoral student in Curriculum and Instruction. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "How will your pursuit of a doctoral degree impact the practical and theoretical development and implementation of curriculum in schools and the scholarly extension of curriculum as a field of study?”
Award
$1,250 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Amy Butler, Loyola University Chicago
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Available to one doctoral student in Instructional Leadership at the University of Florida only. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "How will your pursuit of a doctoral degree impact the practical and theoretical development of instructional leadership and the scholarly extension of curriculum as a field of study?"
Award
$6000 for one recipient
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Available to one doctoral student in Multicultural Education. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "How do you believe your doctoral program will enable you to impact the practical and theoretical development of more appropriate and responsible educational programs for students in multicultural settings and with multicultural content, as well as to contribute to the scholarly development of multicultural education as a field of study?"
Award
$2,250 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Kirsten Burke Smith, University at Albany
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Available to one undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral student, or practicing K–12 educator in their first 3 years of teaching. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "What is the role of service in becoming a professional educator?" An additional document is required that describes your service to the chapter, community, and profession, and how your service made a difference.
Award
$1,250 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Derek M. Lough, EdD student, School of Teaching and Learning, Illinois State University
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Available to one undergraduate or graduate student who writes a research paper based on issues that affect teachers and learning. In lieu of an essay, please submit a research paper completed between May 1, 2022, and April 30, 2023, that was part of an undergraduate or graduate program in a recognized school or college of education. Papers will be considered based on the following criteria: significance of topic, adequacy, and appropriateness of methodology (especially those representing various methodologies, e.g., experimental, ethnographic, statistical, historical, survey.), as well as writing clarity.
Award
$1,250 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Julia N. Benedith, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
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Available to one doctoral student in International and Comparative Education. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "What impact do you see yourself having in the area of international and/or comparative education upon the completion of your doctoral degree?"
Award
$2,250 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Jude Ikechukwu Nwaigwa, American College of Education
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Available to two undergraduate or graduate students in Elementary Education. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, “What life experiences have led you to study education, and how will those experiences influence your role as an elementary educator?” An additional statement is required, demonstrating financial need. A statement could include describing the gap between financial aid and tuition costs and/or family and employment hardships.
Award
$1,000 for two recipients
2022 Recipient
Breigh-Anne Marie Glover, Shepherd University; Emma Grace Burkey, Eastern Michigan University
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Available to one doctoral student in Educational Administration. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "How will your pursuit of a doctoral degree impact the practical and theoretical development of substantively improved programs in schools, as well as extend the scholarly attention of this field to educational administration and policy analysis and development?"
Award
$1,250 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Vicki Thrailkill Pheil, Columbus State University, LaGrange College
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Available to one doctoral student in Curriculum and Instruction. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, “How will your pursuit of a doctoral degree impact the practical and theoretical development and implementation of curriculum in schools and the scholarly extension of curriculum as a field of study?”
Award
$3,000 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Lindsay Elizabeth Romano, New York University
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Available to one undergraduate or graduate student majoring in Special Education. Graduate students must have an emphasis in dyslexia and/or autism. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, “Discuss your approach to working with students with special needs, particularly dyslexia and autism.” Your response should include your tailored approach to communicating with students with special needs as well as their parents regarding learning progress, social interactions, and environmental adjustments.
Award
$1,000 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Caitlyn Renee Myers, The University of Findlay
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Available to one graduate student in Curriculum and Instruction. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, “What challenging demands and opportunities of the 21st century make a graduate degree program in the practices and policies of curriculum and teaching desirable?”
Award
$750 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Cynthia Villarreal Cantú, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
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KDP is honored to serve as the endowment manager for the legacy of the Louise M. Berman Fellows Fund. Dr. Berman was a longtime member of KDP and an honored Laureate. Available to one graduate student at the master’s or doctoral level. Unlike the other scholarships, this award does not require KDP membership. The purpose of this award is to advance curriculum, drive creative inquiry into the human condition, collaborate on cross-national education projects, and encourage personal growth.
Award
$2,000 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Dr. Jhacole LeGrande-Dunn, EdD, Baylor University School of Education
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Available to one undergraduate or graduate student in Special Education. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "What are the challenges facing teachers working with students with special needs?"
Award
$1,000 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Briana Mae Scillion, Alma College
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Available to one doctoral student in Curriculum Studies or Educational Psychology. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "What is the relationship between the fields of Curriculum Studies and Educational Psychology?" An additional requirement of teaching experience, preferably at the secondary level, is needed.
Award
$2,250 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
McHale Davis, University of South Dakota
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Available to one doctoral student in Curriculum and Instruction. Please choose one of the following prompts (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) on which to focus your essay:
- If the focus is on Curriculum Development, the general essay topic is, "How will your pursuit of a doctoral degree impact the practical and theoretical development and implementation of curriculum in schools and the scholarly extension of curriculum as a field of study?"
- If the focus is Social Studies Education, the question is, "How will your pursuit of a doctoral degree impact the practice and theoretical development and implementation of social studies programs in schools and the scholarly extension of social studies education as a field of study?"
- If the focus is on Curriculum History, the essay question is, "How will your pursuit of a doctoral degree advance understanding of the historical development of the American school curriculum (in general or in a special curricular field) within a particular chronology and context?"
Award
$2,500 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Rachel Siegman, Vanderbilt University
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Available to one doctoral student in Childhood Education. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "How will your pursuit of a doctoral degree impact the practical and theoretical development of childhood education and the scholarly extension of curriculum as a field of study?"
Award
$1,250 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Brandy Schroeder, Liberty University, North Carolina Cyber Academy
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Available to one undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral student, or practicing educator dedicated to leadership and service in KDP. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "What are your professional and personal reasons for seeking leadership and service opportunities in KDP? How have your academic program(s) and experiences prepared you for such an endeavor?"
Award
$1,000 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Brenna Katherine Tipton, University of Tennessee at Martin, William Blount High School (Tennessee)
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Available to one doctoral student in Educational Evaluation and Technology. The essay prompt (no more than 750 words, 3,800 characters) is, "How will your pursuit of a doctoral degree impact the practical and theoretical development of the policies and techniques of (a) educational evaluation or (b) educational technology, as well as the scholarly extension of this area as a field of study?"
Award
$1,000 for one recipient
2022 Recipient
Irene A. Bal, Old Dominion University
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Since the award’s establishment in 1994, KDP and the Association of Teacher Educators have named a very select few from around the United States as National Student Teachers of the Year. The award recognizes one student teacher/intern annually who has demonstrated the ability to plan and develop classroom management skills and instructional strategies that support all students; establish interpersonal relationships with students, parents, faculty, and staff; and reflect powerfully on their student teaching experience. KDP and ATE are honored to partner for this prestigious award in offering national recognition, at least one speaking engagement, and a $2,000 award to our student teacher recipient. To apply for the Student Teacher/Intern of the Year award, applicants must be an enrolled undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate student with a minimum 3.0 GPA and be student teaching/interning full time at a curricular level for which they are eligible for certification. Membership in KDP or ATE is not required to apply. All applicants must submit an application that includes a lesson plan and a 30-minute video consisting of an introduction, the lesson plan delivered in a classroom setting, and a reflection of the outcome. Up to three candidates from the same institution are allowed to submit applications per award cycle. The online application is now closed.
2023 Recipient
Ellen Romious, University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio, Texas)
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Each year, KDP is proud to celebrate dozens of incredible Chapter Officers from around the country. Nominated by fellow chapter leaders, Distinguished Chapter Officers not only exemplify leadership, but also relationship building, creativity, and a drive to see the chapter succeed. Nominations open in the spring.
2022 Recipients
Wiktoria Bilich, Stevenson University; Lindsay Byer, Mount Saint Mary College; Emily Fadale, Liberty University; Derek M. Lough, Illinois State University; Allyson Masterson, Shepherd University; Rachel McNamara, Illinois State University; Toree Rewerts, Central Michigan University; Jada Sheerin, University of South Florida; Juana Villanueva, Texas A & M University-Kingsville; Nicole Wasserman, University of Florida
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