November

New scholarship to ease financial burden of student teachers

Former associate professor Cecelia Box funded an endowed scholarship to benefit those who will educate the next generation. 

By Lynne Winter

November 9, 2016

Student teaching is an exciting and crucial time in a future teacher's academic career, the final step in a realized goal that gives students an opportunity to reaffirm their career choice and get essential hands-on experience. 

But the endeavor also presents a unique financial challenge.

"Students teachers work the same hours as licensed teachers, yet do not get paid,” said Cecelia Box, a former associate professor in the Secondary Education Department. “In fact, they pay tuition and fees while they student teach, putting an especially difficult financial burden on them.” 

To address that burden, Box made a generous gift to the MSU Denver Foundation, which established The Jack and Fran Kaufman Endowed Scholarship for Student Teaching.

Box taught at MSU Denver from 1993-99 and has fond memories of the then-College. It was during that time that she observed the unique challenges student teachers face.

She chose to name the scholarship after her dear friends Jack and Fran Kaufman. Jack retired from a distinguished career as an elementary principal with the Boulder Valley School District, after which he taught part-time at MSU Denver in the field of instructional technology. His wife Fran is a lifelong teacher and continues to work as a substitute teacher. Both Jack and Fran will also be part of the scholarship selection committee.

"I can think of no better people to be honored in the field of education than these two wonderful folks," Box said. "Now many years into retirement, both Jack and Fran continue to be active in their community and are still deeply committed to public education."

Current student teacher Shelby Gregor, a special education major who will graduate in December, described the scholarship as an “amazing opportunity.”

"It is so incredible because students will be able to focus 100 percent on student teaching and making a difference in kids' lives,” she said. “They won't have to worry so much about how to support themselves."

 Students will start benefiting from the Jack and Fran Kaufman Endowed Scholarship for Student Teaching, established by Cecelia Box soon. If you know a student who could use the support, tell him or her to keep an eye out for the application to go live on the School of Education website.