WPI Noyce Teacher Scholarship Questions and Answers Sheet
What
are the NSF Noyce Teacher Scholarships?
The
“Scholarships” are financial aid designed to encourage WPI undergrads to
complete the WPI teacher education program and then teach in
Why
does WPI offer the NSF Noyce Teacher Scholarships?
WPI has as
commitment to improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
education in public schools and is especially interested in helping schools in high-need,
such as neighboring Worcester Public Schools.
How
big is a Scholarship?
Scholarships
range from $10,000 to $14,000 per year for one or two years, depending on
financial need, time of application, and service obligation. For each year that
a scholarship is accepted, the student must provide 2 years of teaching in a
high-need district or repay the scholarship.
What
do I have to do to get an NSF Noyce Teacher
Scholarship?
You must apply
for the scholarship (see application link at bottom ),
complete the WPI Teacher Education Program, and teach in
What
do I have to do to complete the WPI Teacher Education Program?
The “Program”
requires the completion of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Psychology of Education,
Methods in the Teaching of Mathematics and Science, a Pre-practicum, and a
Student Teaching Practicum. Traditionally, students complete these during their
freshmen, sophomore and junior years, but a new, term-after option has been
created for students who start the program in their junior or even senior year.
What
is the term-after option?
This special
term allows a student to complete the Pre-practicum, and Student-teaching
Practicum immediately after graduation, with the additional possibility of
completing one of the psychology courses as an independent study. It is likely that Noyce
Teacher Scholars will use their scholarship to pay tuition, room and board
during this term.
How
much does the term-after option cost?
The term after
option costs 1 and 1/6 units at half-tuition or about
$5000. If the second PSY course is taken
concurrently it costs 1/3 unit at half-tuition or about $1450.
Will
I still get my regular Degree in "chemistry", "engineering"
whatever?
Yes. Completion of the WPI Teacher Education
Program supplements the WPI degree with the training that leads to
Massachusetts Teacher Licensure at the Initial Level (2nd level).
Is
this like getting a double major?
No. A major
refers to concentrated study in an academic field whereas the WPI Teacher
Preparation Program supplies the theoretical and practical training necessary
to earn a professional license in teaching.
Where
do I teach after graduation from WPI?
Noyce Scholars are
expected to teach in the Worcester Public Schools. In some cases a student may teach in another
high-need district.
Which
grades would I have to teach?
Noyce Scholars teach
either middle school or high school, depending on their preference and their
training during the student-teaching practicum.
What
is the value of teaching in a high- need district for 2 or 4 years after
graduation?
Teaching in
high-need districts invariably leads to a sense of satisfaction that comes from
helping underrepresented youth, from overcoming personal challenges, from a
deepened understanding of one’s subject area, and from a heightened regard
among employers and graduate school admissions. It’s also a respectable, real
paying job!
How
long do I have to teach to fulfill my obligations to the scholarship?
You must teach 2
years for each year you accept a scholarship.
Sophomores and Juniors are eligible for 1 or 2
years of scholarships; seniors are eligible for one year.
What
happens if I am unable to fulfill my obligations to the scholarship?
Though it is
hoped that this will not happen, if a student must leave teaching in a
high-need district, the scholarship, or some pro-rated portion thereof, must be
repaid.
Will
I be paid as a regular teacher when I teach or is this an
internship?
Worcester Public
Schools has agreed to hire Noyce Scholars as
full-time teachers of record upon successful completion of the Teacher
Education Program requirements.
What
is the starting salary of teacher in
$40,378 for a
183 day contract (10 calendar months: late August to late June).
Teaching
in a high-need district can be challenging, what support will I get?
Worcester Public
Schools has an extensive beginning teacher support program, including start of
year orientations, a building level support team with an assigned mentor, and a
first and second year beginning teacher seminar that meets weekly to discuss
issues and strategies of beginning teachers.
I'm
a sophomore, what are my options?
I'm
a junior, what are my options?
I'm
a senior, what are my options?
For
any of these questions, please follow this link or see Professor Goulet in Stratton
201A or email goulet@wpi.edu
For
an application
, please download the form at this link .