The Department of Education awarded Alverno a five-year, $1.24 million grant to train diverse personnel to work at minority-serving institutions with children with disabilities, allowing the College to address a critical need for special education teachers throughout the state of Wisconsin.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Alverno to make a difference in the school districts with the greatest need,” says Thor Stolen, PhD, project director for the grant. “The program will go a long way toward training diverse cohorts of educators and placing them in schools where their diversity mirrors that of the students they serve.”
Whitney Osley ’24, who earned a Master of Arts in Special Education, has always had a passion for working with children with various special needs throughout her life. The scholarship made following that passion easier. “It helped me to continue to pay for my schooling and the things I needed. It also inspired me to push forward,” she says.
Students who meet the diverse eligibility criteria (neuro/ability, racially, linguistically or culturally/ethnically) and who receive the scholarship are committed to serving as a special education teacher for at least two years for every year they receive the scholarship, having a direct impact on students and school districts.
Students who are interested in pursuing a special ed licensure are encouraged to apply. “We have openings, and we want to fill them,” says Stolen.
“I would absolutely recommend anyone wanting to pursue special ed to consider Alverno,” adds Osley. “The Alverno faculty was understanding and welcoming. It was exactly what I needed. Alverno was a breath of fresh air.”
If you'd like to apply to Alverno's education program, click here. Once you've applied, please visit this link to apply for the scholarship.
