Science Education Students Awarded Governor’s Teaching Fellowship and Edison International Teachers for Tomorrow Scholarship

The Governor’s Teaching Fellowship Program provides competitive and merit-based four-year awards to students preparing to teach in low-performing schools in California. The fellowship provides $20,000 to help pay for education and living expenses while the students are enrolled full-time in a credential program.

CSULB Science Education student, Mia Mitoma, was awarded Governor’s Teaching Fellowship for the 2001-2002 school year! Mia is pursuing a chemistry credential. She has already received the $20,000 for which she is committing to teach for at least 4 years in a California low performing school.

The fellowship was part of Governor Davis’ efforts to place more credentialed teachers into the public school system of California. 1,000 fellowships were awarded for the 2001-2002 school year. Several of our students applied for the fellowship for this 2002-2003 academic year but the program has been cut due to budget constraints. Congratulations Mia! We’re very proud of you!

Our own Brighton Oothoudt has won an Edison Fellowship! The Edison $5,000 fellowship is awarded through the CSU Chancellor's Office. The funding for this scholarship comes from Edison International, who has pledged $500,000 to the California State University to fund one hundred $5,000 scholarships for students seeking teaching credentials. The Edison International Teachers for Tomorrow Scholarship will award 25 different students each year for four years beginning in the 2000-2001 academic year. Brighton was one of the 25 students selected from across the CSU system.

Scholarship recipients must be currently enrolled full-time in a teacher preparation program in the fifth year with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and must demonstrate financial need. Brighton is earning a biology credential with a chemistry supplemental. She will be student teaching this fall at Lakewood High School and taking CLAD classes and courses towards a masters degree in the spring. Congratulations Brighton!

Outstanding Single Subject Student Teacher 2001-2002

This year's outstanding student teacher award went to Shehzad Bhojani. Shehzad was hired by LBUSD in the fall of 2001 to teach sixth and seventh grade science at Monroe K-8 School. He had a wonderful year with his students. Kudos to Shehzad for bringing the excitement and engagement of science to the lives of so many middle school aged children. Shehzad was honored at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics 2002 graduation this past May. He will be returning to Monroe School this year where he will add eighth grade science to his teaching repertoire. Congratulations Shehzad!

To find out more about our Single Subject program visit the credential website at www.scienceteaching.org or contact Laura Henriques, the science credential advisor.