A 2016 Scottsburg High School graduate was named the recipient of the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship.
Caitlyn Carey was one of 200 Indiana high school and college students selected for the competitive scholarship, which pays up to $7,500 annually and up to $30,000 total. To receive the scholarship, Carey and the other recipients had to commit to teaching in Indiana for five years after college graduation.
“The Commission wants to congratulate all 200 of the students who were chosen to receive the Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship,” Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers said in a press release. “We were encouraged by the high-quality applicants and know these future teachers will have a positive impact in Indiana classroom.”
Carey, who attends Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, had to go through a selection process to earn the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship. The process is based on academic achievement, the nomination of a teacher, and an in-person interview.
“I want to become a teacher so that I can help shape student's lives. I want children to know that they have someone that believes in them and that is willing to help them no matter what,” said Carey, who is majoring in elementary education and minoring in psychology. “SHS helped me realize that teaching was my true passion. During my senior year, I was given the opportunity to observe and actually work hands-on in the classroom. This helped me realize that teaching is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing.”
To qualify, Carey had to either graduate in the top 20 percent of their high school class or earn a score in the top 20th percentile on the SAT or ACT. She will have to earn at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and complete at least 30 credit hours per year to continue to receive the scholarship each year.
“This scholarship reflects the appreciation we have for those pursuing a career in teaching — a critical and unique profession impacting the lives of every young Hoosier,” said House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis), author of the legislation creating the scholarship, in a press release. “Congratulations to all of these recipients, and it is our hope your talent and passion for teaching inspires others to follow.”
A total of 642 students applied for the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship and about two-thirds of applicants were Indiana high school seniors with the remainder comprised of current college students, the press release said.
“It means a great deal to me and my family to have received this scholarship. The fact that I got past the first round was a great honor in itself to me. [...] I was up against a lot of tough competition,” Carey said.
Upon college graduation, Carey hopes to teach at Scott County School District 2, where so many teachers helped her become the student she is today.
“SHS helped me earn this scholarship by allowing me to have such great teacher role models. As part of my interview, I was asked to write a speech about some of the effective qualities of teachers. As I wrote the speech, I was able to easily give concrete examples of all of the qualities that I talked about. Most of the teachers I talked about showed me these qualities and didn't even realize it because they have a passion for their job,” Carey said.
At Scott County School District 2, Carey’s story is our story. Your story matters. You matter.