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The Ken Bower Teacher Cadet Scholarship, named in memory of Dr. Ken Bower, an architect of the original Teacher Cadet course and curriculum, is awarded each year to senior Teacher Cadets who intend to become a classroom teacher in one of South Carolina's many public schools.
“The recipients of the Ken Bower Teacher Cadet Scholarship are the epitome of exemplary future teachers, and I look forward to welcoming these South Carolina homegrown teachers to the ranks of our state’s stellar educators,” notes Marcella Wine-Snyder, Program Director for the Teacher Cadet Program. “For over thirty years, South Carolina’s Teacher Cadet Program has endeavored to support education’s ubiquitous goal of providing high quality schools for all children in all neighborhoods by attracting the state’s best and brightest students to the teaching profession. At the center of every effective education system is the classroom teacher because a teacher’s impact outweighs all other influential factors on student learning. Without great teachers, our state simply cannot meet its education goals.”
Teacher Cadet instructors receive notification of the call for applications early each calendar year and all senior Teacher Cadets are eligible to apply. Thanks to the generosity of silent auction "shoppers" at two CERRA conferences and other donors who support the Teacher Cadet program, 2017 recipients will receive a one-time award of $1,000. The award is mailed directly to the recipient's college before August 1 and is applied to his or her account. Awards are determined based on the merits of scholarship, teacher recommendations, and a written essay. The Ken Bower Teacher Cadet Scholarship is not "needs-based" and does not rely on the financial information of the Teacher Cadet’s family. Teaching Fellows may also be recipients of the Ken Bower Scholarship.
2017 Ken Bower Scholarship Recipients
Taea Fonkert attends Ashley Ridge High School in Summerville, South Carolina. She is a nationally competitive gymnast, a varsity competitive cheerleader, and a member of the track and field team. She is a part of several honor societies including National Honor Society and was named a Junior Marshall for the class of 2017. She was also named Miss Distinguished Young Women of South Dorchester County. Taea actively volunteers around her school, in her community, and in a local elementary school. She is majoring in elementary education at the University of South Carolina (Columbia) in the fall.