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WSU Offers College Grads $30K To Become Teachers

Wayne State University is trying to find college seniors, recent grads, or someone from the science, math or engineering fields to become teachers in Detroit and other urban or rural high schools.

The program is seeking 240 new math and science teachers. It will be funded by a $16.7 million Kellogg Foundation grant.

In announcing the program Wayne State said those who qualify would receive "stipends of $30,000 to get certified in 14 months and then finish their MAT the following year while doing their first year of teaching." In exchange for the money, teachers must commit to teach in a high-need urban or rural secondary school upon completing the program and obtaining a teaching certificate.

From the beginning, candidates will work in classrooms, learning how to convey complicated scientific or technical ideas to teenagers, many of whom will be from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Wayne State is one of six Michigan universities -- including Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University, The University of Michigan and Western Michigan University --chosen by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation to participate in the program.

"Clinically-based programs like the Fellowship are key to improving the quality of teacher education as well as the academic performance of students in urban schools," said Wayne State University Provost Ronald T. Brown in statement. "This is a great opportunity both for the teachers who make this commitment and the children who will benefit from their hard work."

The first cohort of Wayne State Fellows will complete teacher certification work in spring 2012 and enter the workforce a few months later.

Interested candidates may choose between two application deadlines: December 1, 2010 and January 12, 2011.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens; attain a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution by June 30, 2011; have a major or strong background in science, technology, engineering or math; and have an undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 or better.

More information about the program is available online at www.wwteachingfellowship.org.

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