Minneapolis—November 12, 2007—Walden University, one of the nation’s largest providers of graduate degrees to K–12 teachers, today announced the three recipients of its Educator for a Day Grant. Walden created the grant initiative to honor the teaching profession and to reward teachers and their students for their commitment to education. The program also aims to foster awareness of the need for more teachers and of the benefits of the teaching profession. Educator for a Day is part of the National Education Association’s (NEA) American Education Week, which takes place Nov. 11–17.
The three winning schools—Times Squared Academy in Providence, R.I.; South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind in Spartanburg, S.C.; and Conerly Road School in Somerset, N.J.—were selected from more than 150 nominations submitted by faculty and administrators across the country. Each school will host at least one aspiring educator who will shadow a teacher during the school day on Thursday.
“Each recipient uniquely demonstrates a commitment to the work of our nation’s teachers and is an inspiration to those of us in higher education who are focused on helping teachers gain the necessary education to succeed in their professions and make a difference in the lives of our children,” said Jonathan A. Kaplan, J.D., president of Walden University. “For 37 years, Walden has offered programs created by teachers for teachers, and these important grants are a continuation of this legacy.”
Participants were required to submit short essay responses to questions about their profession, including the importance of involving the community in the education process, why their school should receive a Walden University Educator for a Day Grant and what their school would do with their grant if selected. Recipient schools were selected by a panel of judges familiar with the issues facing K–12 educators, including academics and administrators at Walden University.
Walden University has the largest fully online College of Education in the nation, with more than 15,000 alumni and more than 14,000 students currently enrolled in its master’s and doctoral education programs. In October 2006, U.S. News & World Report’s annual Largest Grad Programs listing ranked Walden’s College of Education No.1 by enrollment. Through approval from the Minnesota Board of Teaching, Walden recently launched teacher preparation programs in two of the most vital areas of teacher shortage: Early Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 3) and Special Education (K–12) in the field of learning disabilities and emotional/behavioral disorders.
About Walden University
Since 1970, Walden University has offered working professionals the opportunity to earn advanced degrees through distance learning. Today, this comprehensive, accredited online university offers master’s and doctoral degrees in education, psychology, management, public policy and administration, and health and human services—as well as master’s programs in engineering and IT and bachelor’s completion programs in business. Walden University is a member of the Laureate International Universities network, the largest global network of accredited campus-based and online universities. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.hlcommission.org; 312-263-0456.