Four Teacher Cadets Awarded $1,000 Ken Bower Scholarships
ROCK HILL— The Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA) has awarded the Teacher Cadet scholarship, named in memory of Dr. Ken Bower, who was an architect of the original Teacher Cadet program and curriculum.
The $1,000 one-time scholarships are awarded each year to as many as four senior Teacher Cadets who intend to become a classroom teacher in one of South Carolina's many public schools. The recipients for 2008 are:
Kristen Dodd, 18, a Teacher Cadet at Mauldin High School, was active in the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Speech and Debate, National Forensic League, Treble Chorus, and junior varsity basketball and softball teams. She has volunteered at a homeless shelter, the Greenville Humane Society, and a Children’s Liturgy of the World Present for her church. She plans to attend Clemson University. Her Teacher Cadet instructor at Mauldin High was Rachel Turner.
Tempestt Gavins, 18, a Teacher Cadet at Darlington High, served as the Outreach Coordinator in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for two years, trombone section leader on the marching band for three years, and was the varsity track team captain for one year. She is also a member of Student Action for Education, Y’ALL Book Club, Oprah’s Ambassadors Club, and varsity basketball for two years. She is also a member of the senior honors band. Gavins plans to attend Columbia College and will major in English Education and minor in music. Her Teacher Cadet instructor at Darlington High was Zakiyyah Stroman.
Rachel Kiser, 18, a Teacher Cadet at Cheraw High School, served as the president of the National Honor Society and was a delegate to Palmetto Girls State. She was active in the Cheraw High Interact Club, marching and concert bands, and was a member of the 2006 AA state champion band, “The Tribe.” She has been on her church student leadership team for four years and this past year she served as a volunteer with the Chesterfield County Board of Disabilities and Specials Needs in addition to Special Olympics. She was recently named a Palmetto Teaching Fellow and plans to attend Winthrop University. Her Teacher Cadet instructor was Sharon Johnson.
Cierra Martoccia, 18, a Teacher Cadet at Fort Mill High School, was activtely involved in Key Club, Beta Club, and was secretary of Project Care Club. She has danced at Center Stage Dance Academy for the past four years. Martoccia is very active in her church youth group and also participates in many community service projects. She plans to attend Winthrop University where she will major in middle school education. Her Teacher Cadet instructor was Anne Ledford.
Awards are determined based on the merits of scholarship, teacher recommendation and a written essay. The Ken Bower scholarship is not "needs-based" and does not rely on the Teacher Cadet's family financial information.
The scholarship is funded annually through money raised from two silent auctions held by CERRA and other donors who support the Teacher Cadet program.
CERRA, an independent state agency located on the campus of Winthrop University, is the oldest and most established teacher recruitment program in the country. The purpose of CERRA is to provide leadership in identifying, attracting, placing and retaining well-qualified individuals for the teaching profession in South Carolina. CERRA’s programs have been adopted at school, district and state levels in more than 30 states in the United States.