University of Texas at Dallas students who aspire to become science, math or computer science teachers are now eligible for a scholarship designed to recruit and retain the most talented teachers for Texas public schools.
This fall, the University’s UTeach Dallas program became a full partner in the Charles Butt Foundation’s Raising Texas Teachers project. Teacher candidates in the UTeach Dallas program are now eligible to apply for the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers, which encourages and supports the most promising students to pursue a career in teaching.
The competitive scholarship provides each recipient up to $10,000 per year for up to four years. Applicants must be committed to teaching in a Texas public school that is majority economically disadvantaged or in a shortage subject area, including math and science.
Based in the Department of Science/Mathematics Education in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, UTeach Dallas allows college students to combine a degree in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) with a secondary teaching certificate without adding time or cost. In addition to undergraduate and transfer students, the scholarship is available to Master of Arts in Teaching and fast-track master’s degree students seeking initial teacher certification through UTeach Dallas, as well as students seeking a Bachelor of Science in education degree to teach fourth- to eighth-grade science and mathematics who choose to go through the UTeach Dallas course sequence.
335 total graduates
220 graduates teaching in classrooms (plus 15 enrolled in graduate/professional school)*
380 currently enrolled in UTeach Dallas (fall 2023)
100% of graduates offered jobs for 2023-24
88% retention rate in teaching over the last five years (Texas teacher five-year retention average is 68.8%)*
*As of spring 2023
“This partner designation with the Charles Butt Foundation is the result of three years of intensive, continuous improvement propelled by a $150,000 grant from the foundation,” said Katherine Donaldson MAT’93, associate director of UTeach Dallas and a master teacher of science/mathematics education. “We identified areas of improvement that will ensure our program’s teacher candidates receive the most exemplary teacher preparation possible.”
UTeach Dallas leaders will send a pool of scholarship applicants to the foundation, which will choose recipients. In addition to financial support, the scholarship provides recipients with ongoing professional development opportunities, including connections with experienced mentors and a statewide network of other Charles Butt Scholars and alumni.
“All the work that we have done to become a partner in Raising Texas Teachers is just the beginning,” said Dr. Mary Urquhart, director of UTeach Dallas and department head of science/mathematics education. “In addition to being able to offer this scholarship, our UTeach Dallas faculty and staff will continue to work with other exemplary programs in the network — the best of the best in Texas — to learn from one another and train the best-of-the-best teachers.”
Currently, 27 teacher preparation programs at Texas universities are supported through Raising Texas Teachers. Partners in the network are dedicated to creating a culture of continuous improvement within and across their programs.
“In addition to being able to offer this scholarship, our UTeach Dallas faculty and staff will continue to work with other exemplary programs in the network — the best of the best in Texas — to learn from one another and train the best-of-the-best teachers.”
Dr. Kate York, a master teacher in science/mathematics education, will oversee the Charles Butt Scholars at UT Dallas.
“If you’re a high school or transfer student — including a first-generation college student — who loves science and math and is excited at the prospect of teaching, UTeach Dallas is an excellent choice for your preparation,” York said. “We’re looking for a diverse teacher population to teach the diverse population of kids in Texas. We hope that in addition to the resources UTeach Dallas already provides, this additional scholarship opportunity will encourage talented students to teach in the high-needs areas of math and science.”