Four Future Teachers Awarded the Superintendent’s Florida Prepaid Scholarship

College just got easier for four aspiring teachers. The graduating seniors are recipients of this year’s Superintendent’s Florida Prepaid Scholarship. Each of them will receive a two-year Florida Prepaid scholarship worth $8,000.

“This scholarship means so much to my family and me,” said recipient Brooke Burg. “It is an honor and a privilege to receive this scholarship, and it will help me greatly in my pursuit of education. It will take some of the stress about paying for college off my family… allowing me to focus on becoming the best student and teacher I can be. I cannot thank the superintendent enough for choosing me as one of the recipients of this scholarship award.”

Brooke is part of the Early Childhood Education Academy at Fort Myers High School. She plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University and major in Elementary Education to preferably teach kindergarten or first grade. Like Brooke, Jailyn Matos is also interested in teaching at the elementary level. Second grade is her favorite. She is a student in the Early Childhood Academy at the Young Parent Education Program.

“This means a lot to me because I have never been noticed for my academics,” Jailyn said. “I am the mother of a little girl, and this scholarship will help my family financially. I think being a college student will set a great example for my daughter.”

This is the second year the School District has awarded the Superintendent’s Florida Prepaid Scholarship. With the priority of increasing teacher recruitment and retention, students interested in teaching careers were invited to apply. District administrators reviewed the applications and helped the Superintendent select the four recipients.

“My dream is to teach high school, probably 10th to 12th grade,” said Alexia Deltoro. “This scholarship to me and my family is so important because it gives me a push start directly after high school. This money will help me buy a laptop for college and even put a down payment on a car. Thank you for the opportunity.”

Alexia is also a student at the Young Parent Education Program. She plans to attend Florida SouthWestern State College for two years and transfer to FGCU to complete her education. Lehigh Senior High School’s Laura Lucha is considering FGCU or Florida International University for her education degree. She has been preparing as a student in the Principles of Teaching Academy for a career in special education.

“I come from a single-parent household with only one working parent who is in the lower income class,” Laura said. “It is an absolute honor to be able to go to college without having to spend money that my mom or I do not have. It is reassuring to know that I can still have a post-secondary education with no worries of how it will affect my mom financially.”

All four students say they are interested in joining the School District as teachers once they graduate from college. A spot will be waiting for them.