SCHOLARSHIPS
Janice S. Jones Scholarship Program
The American Association for Employment in Education (AAEE), an organization which promotes professional standards and practices in teacher preparation and job recruitment, recognizes a national shortage of candidates preparing for careers in certain teaching fields as well as teachers of color. This scholarship program is designed to address these needs by providing two $1,000 awards annually.
The Janice S. Jones Scholarship Fund was established to honor the memory of Janice Jones, the 2002-2003 President of AAEE. In 2005, she received the Priscilla A. Scotlan Award for Distinguished Service; subsequently, she served as a consultant to the AAEE Board of Directors from 2005 until her death in 2007. Janice was a lifelong resident of Evanston, Illinois. Dedicated to the Evanston community, she began teaching Special Education. She taught for 14 years, with a two-year hiatus in Bermuda as an educator for the U.S. Department of Defense. Her final position, which she held for 18 years, was Director of Human Resources with Evanston Township High School District 202. She retired in 2004. An ardent proponent of quality education for all, she was well known for her lifelong advocacy of services for students with special needs. She was also recognized as an outstanding mentor for minority students studying to become teachers.
Janice was a consummate professional who exemplified the values of AAEE. The scholarship fund that bears her name exists to carry on her tradition of excellence in education and leadership. Its goal is to support emerging educators who have demonstrated promise and commitment.
"I have always valued my association with AAEE for information, professional contacts and personal contacts. You just can’t beat good relationships. As a retiree, I still enjoy my AAEE friends and the information received from the National Office."
Ms. Janice S. Jones
"Thank you for your dedication in helping future critical need teachers as well as future teachers of color. Your interest in our success impacts not only our ability to become the incredible teachers that we dream of, but our ability to teach our students to the best of our capacity, uninhibited by the loom of financial constraint."
- Amy T., AAEE scholarship applicant
Critical Need Teacher Scholarship
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Eligibility
Candidates for this award will be enrolled in a teacher preparation program through an accredited institution of higher education and will continue in the Spring 2024 semester as full-time students. Only students from a college or university holding institutional membership in AAEE are eligible to participate. This award is a one-time, non- renewable $1,000 grant designed to assist in the career development of these promising teacher candidates in the identified critical need areas.
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Criteria
Students applying for the Critical Need Teacher Scholarship must be any student formally accepted in one of the following "critical need area" as identified by the AAEE Executive Board based on "Supply and Demand" research.
Students will submit the application online and may be asked to provide additional information such as an essay and/or official transcripts. Candidates will be selected through a consideration of their academic success, service to college and/or community, and potential to achieve excellence as a teacher.
Students applying for the Critical Need Teacher Scholarship must be planning to teach at least one of the following subject areas:
- Bilingual/Multicultural Education
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Chinese (Language)
- Earth/Physical Science
- ESL/ELL (English Language Learner)
- General Math and Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Special Education (all categories)
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How to Apply
The application window for the 2024 scholarship year has now closed.
Teacher of Color
Scholarship
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Eligibility
Candidates for this award will be enrolled in a teacher preparation program through an accredited institution of higher education and will continue in the Spring 2024 semester as full-time students. Only students from a college or university holding institutional membership in AAEE are eligible to participate. This award is a one-time, non- renewable $1,000 grant designed to assist in the career development of these promising teacher candidates of color.
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Criteria
Students will submit the application online and may be asked to provide additional information such as an essay and/or official transcripts. Candidates will be selected through a consideration of their academic success, service to college and/or community, and potential to achieve excellence as a teacher.
Students applying for the Teacher of Color Scholarship must meet one of the following definitions:
- African American/Black - a person having origins in any of the black racial groups in Africa;
- Hispanic American - a person of Spanish or Portuguese culture with origins in Mexico, South or Central America, or the Caribbean Islands, regardless of race;
- Asian American - a person with origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, including Pakistan, and the Pacific Islands (including, among others, Hawaii, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia);
- Native American - a person who is a member of a federally or state recognized Indian tribe, or whose parents or grandparents have such membership, including the native people of Alaska.
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How to Apply
The application window for the 2024 scholarship year has now closed.
Eligible Colleges/Universities
- Albion College
- Albright College
- Arcadia University
- Arizona State University
- Ball State University
- Baylor University
- Brandeis University
- Brigham Young University
- Bucknell University
- Buffalo State College
- BYU Idaho
- California State University at San Marcos
- Clark College
- College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University
- College of William & Mary
- Colorado Christian University
- Colorado School of Mines
- Concordia University - Seward
- Defiance College
- Duquesne University
- Elon University
- Emporia State University
- Fairfield University
- Grand Valley State University
- Grove City College
- Hamline University
- Huntington University
- Illinois State University
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- Indiana University - Bloomington
- James Madison University ​​​​​​
- John Carroll University
- Kansas State University
- Kent State University
- Kutztown University
- Le Moyne College
- Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling
- Lewis University
- Mercyhurst University
- Miami University
- Midwestern State University
- Minnesota North College
- National Louis University
- Nebraska Wesleyan University - Lincoln, NE
- Northern Kentucky University
- Penn State University - University Park
- Peru State College
- Purchase College at SUNY
- Rhode Island College
- Rutgers University - Camden
- Saint Cloud State University
- Saint Mary's College
- Salisbury University
- Sam Houston State University
- Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
- Southern Utah University
- Springfield College
- St. Norbert College
- St. Thomas Aquinas College
- State University of New York at Fredonia
- SUNY College at Cortland
- SUNY Oswego
- SUNY Plattsburgh
- Syracuse University
- Texas Tech University
- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- The University of Texas at Dallas
- The University of Texas at El Paso
- University of Alaska - Fairbanks
- University of Central Missouri
- University of Houston - Victoria
- University of Kansas
- University of Louisville
- University of Maine
- University of Maryland (College Park)
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- University of Missouri Columbia
- University of Missouri - St. Louis
- University of New Mexico
- University of Northern Colorado
- University of Northern Iowa
- University of Oregon
- University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of South Carolina - Columbia
- University of Southern Mississippi
- University of Texas Austin
- University of West Alabama
- University of Wisconsin - Madison
- University of Wisconsin - Stout
- University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
- University of Wyoming
- Upper Iowa University
- Utah State University
- Utah Tech University
- Utah Valley University
- Washburn University
- Washington & Jefferson College
- Washington State University
- Wayne State College NE
- Weber State University
- Westfield State University
- Wilmington University
- Xavier University
Thank you to our sponsor of the 2024 Janice S. Jones Scholarships!
Congratulations to Our 2024 Awardees!
2024 Teacher of Color Scholarship Recipient
Omoyenwen Aghedo
My name is Omoyenwen Brenda Aghedo. I was born and raised in Nigeria, West Africa. I started my education Journey in the United States, in the year 2015. Through overcoming several hurdles along the way, I continue to move and strive higher in my education journey with dedication and hard work from myself and my parents. As a Christian, I thank God for the opportunity and strength to keep on going and pursuing my goals, despite the hurdles along the way. I am a current graduate student at CUNY HUNTER COLLEGE School of Education, and I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in the field of Education-Teaching Adolescent Biology from 7th-12th grade. Being a young woman of African descent, and a person of color, I value the importance of receiving a formal and quality education, while utilizing educational resources to benefit students from all walks of life-specifically students from minority groups. Throughout my education career, I have had the experience of teaching across various grade levels and different academic settings; From teaching in both charter and private school settings; With all of these experiences, I have come to learn, that a significant part of being a great Teacher/Educator, is the ability to be reflective on your work, patient, and having a growth mindset, which will then have an overall positive impact in your classroom. My goal is to have a significant impact in the field of education, both at home and abroad, beyond the scope of teaching within the classroom, and maybe even look further into the area of Educational leadership. Every child is deserving of a good and quality education, and it is great and fulfilling to be part of this journey.
2024 Critical Need Teacher Scholarship Recipient
Julianna Roman
Julianna is a student at Sam Houston State University graduating in December 2025 with a degree in Bilingual EC-6th Grade Education. During her time at Sam Houston State University, she was a paraprofessional at an Elementary School for three years. That is when she discovered her love for teaching, Julianna was able to work with her students and help them grow academically and she built confidence for her students to succeed.
Julianna is a First-Generation student and she is excited to have her classroom and watch her students grow and succeed. Her main goal is to teach her students to pursue their dreams and spread kindness in every step they make.
Past Scholarship Recipients
2023 Recipients
Critical Need Teacher Scholarship
Maria Villacorta
Maria is originally from Lima, Peru. She is graduating with a B.S. in Early Childhood/ Early Childhood Special Education in May 2023. During her time at UMD, she has served as a research assistant at the Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership department at the College of Education.
Maria's work for the "Together/Juntos" grant has been reflected in her practices to recognize spaces and roles to transform school-home power differentials around mathematics learning and build teacher, parent, and student partnerships to strengthen the role of positioning in supporting mathematics learning.
Besides her role as a research assistant, Maria has served the College of Education as an EdTerp Ambassador hosting different events such as COE Open Houses, tours, etc. Likewise, she has served the Center for Young Children (CYC) at the University of Maryland as the Vice-president of the Parent and Teacher Partnership. She has also been involved in the OMSE Academic Excellence Society at UMD and has been an active member of the KDP's national honor society.
With her Hispanic background, Maria hopes to transform the education system and make education accessible for everyone. For that reason, after graduation, she will pursue her Master’s degree in Teacher Leadership with an emphasis on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Teacher of Color Scholarship Winner
Julianna Roman
Ailani is a student at The University of Texas at Austin graduating in May 2023 with a degree in Special Education. Ailani wants to spark the desire to learn within her students and help teachers around her find their light in this AMAZING career field.
Ailani has dedicated countless hours in the classroom, starting with teaching internships in her junior year of high school! She plans to earn her Master's and Ph.D., to help instill change in the world of Education and lead it to a brighter future.
2022 Recipients
Critical Need Teacher Scholarship
Kalita Bayes
My name is Kalita Bayes and I reside in Columbus, Ohio. I have a 10 year old daughter who is my world. I am currently attending Ashland University and will graduate in the fall of 2023 with a dual Bachelors in primary grades and intervention specialist. Early childhood education has always been my passion with a special focus on reading and social emotional skills. My goal is to remain in the Columbus City School’s district to spark passion for our young learners by creating an engaging, fun, welcoming, and inclusive environment.
Teacher of Color Scholarship Winner
Kayla Neal
Kayla Neal is from South Bend, IN. She is currently a Junior majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. Kayla is actively involved on Purdue’s campus, including working on the Honors Leadership Council in the Honors College at Purdue representing as well as fostering community within the College of Education. She also works as an undergraduate researcher with a team of researchers focused on promoting educational equity through community-based organizations. She will be graduating from Purdue University with a B.A. in Elementary Education in Spring of 2023, after which she plans to stay in Indiana to inspire the same love for learning in her future classrooms that led her to wanting to become a teacher.
2021 Recipients
Critical Need Teacher Scholarship
Tony Nicolalde
Tony Nicolalde is a first-generation Ecuadorian American Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) who comes from Aurora, Illinois, and is currently pursuing his bachelor's degree in Special Education with a focus on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at Illinois State University. In addition to his degree, he is also pursuing minors in Spanish and Latin American Studies with bilingual approval to help Deaf/Hard of Hearing students whose families' native language is other than English. Tony also plans to create opportunities for more American Sign Language classes in high schools and the integration of STEAM in special education.
Teacher of Color Scholarship Winner
Nitsav Ben-Dan
Nitsav Ben-Dan hails from New York; she is currently completing her BA in Adolescent Education and Social Studies at CUNY Hunter College. History is her first love, and working with students is a close second! She wholeheartedly believes that history is critical to understanding one’s place in the world and plans to provide her students with an engaging and lively social studies education.
2020 Recipients
Critical Need Teacher Scholarship
Carlos Piedrasanta
Carlos currently resides in Rockville, Maryland but lived in Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Mozambique before coming to the United States in 2007. He will graduate from Grinnell College in the Spring of 2020 with an Independent Major in Educational Studies and will receive his Iowa Teaching License in English Language Learning (ELL) and Social Studies in the Fall. Growing up, Carlos witnessed the importance of strong ELL programs and their significant role in supporting ELL students who often confront several challenges. For this reason, Carlos is determined to provide his future ELL students with a rigorous and supportive educational environment that encourages them to recognize, and ultimately grasp, their potential.
Teacher of Color Scholarship Winner
Cynthia Piepenbrink
Cynthia Piepenbrink, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, received her BA in Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University, and is currently completing her MA in Secondary Science Education, with an endorsement in Chemistry, at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Prior to beginning her studies at UNL, Cyndy worked as a laboratory technician at the University of Notre Dame and taught middle school science at Roland Park Country School in Baltimore, Maryland. She hopes to use the platform of science education to connect her students to the broader scientific community.
2019 Recipients
Janice Jones Scholarship
Allison Moga
Allison Moga, originally from Royalton, Minnesota is currently pursuing a dual degree in Spanish Education and Teaching English as a Second Language with a double minor in Music and Bilingual/Bicultural Education from Winona State University. Currently, she is studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina in an effort to increase her knowledge about the Spanish language and culture. She intends to bring all the rich ideas, traditions, skills, and cherished experiences that she has acquired through volunteering, studying, and traveling to various countries to eventually inspire and connect with her future students.
UPDATE: "I will be graduating this May, and I am hoping to find a position for this upcoming school year of 2021-22. I have several interviews lined up, so I am excited for what the future holds!"
Janice Jones Scholarship Winner
Haley MacInerney
Haley is from Peosta, Iowa. She is double majoring in Spanish and Foreign Language education at the University of Iowa with an aspiration of obtaining her ESL endorsement post-graduation. Previously, she has studied and interned in Santiago, Chile and fell in love with Latin America. She will graduate in Spring 2020 and hopes to teach English in Latin America for a few years and then return to the states to teach Spanish; bringing with her the rich cultural and language knowledge to share in her classroom. She hopes to bring the passion and excitement for languages and cultures into each of her students' lives by making the language classroom an immersive experience.
2018 Recipient
Janice Jones Scholarship
Cambria Jones
Cambria is from Fullerton, California. She is a Mathematics and Spanish double major and is completing the Secondary Education Certification Program at Hanover College in southern Indiana. As part of her continual efforts to increase her Spanish fluency she is excited to study abroad in Spain in May of 2018! After she graduates in May of 2020 she is eager to share her love for Math and Spanish with her future middle school students. Her goal is to make a positive impact on her students just like her many influential teachers made a positive impact on her throughout her education.
2017 Recipient
Janice Jones Scholarship
Bethany Schlipf
Bethany is from Gridley, Illinois. She is completing her BA in Bilingual Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish and an ESL endorsement. She will graduate from Illinois State University in Spring 2019. Bethany has spent several weeks as a volunteer in Guatemala and Mexico. She hopes to use her love for Spanish and working with children by teaching students from low-income families in a rural or urban area. She also has a desire to teach abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.
2016 Recipient
Janice Jones Scholarship
Analesa Zimmerman
Analesa is a native of Portland, Oregon. She received her BA in Romance Languages from the University of Oregon, an MA in Spanish from Portland State University, and is currently completing her Master in Teaching from Lewis and Clark College. She will graduate in Spring 2016 with her MAT in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and ESOL and bilingual endorsements. Prior to beginning her studies at Lewis and Clark, Analesa received a Fulbright grant to Mexico as an English Teaching Assistant. She hopes to work in the Portland area as a dual immersion teacher in the 2016-2017 school year.
UPDATE: Analesa is a third grade teacher in a dual immersion classroom at a Title I school in Milwaukie, Oregon. She reports, “Things are going great so far! It is my ideal teaching job.”
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