Scholarships
Ann Wilkins Legacy Scholarship
Eligible: Undergraduate or Graduate student, BIPOC Aspiring Educator ISTA members
The Ann Wilkins Legacy Scholarship is designed to increase the pipeline of well-qualified Black, Indigenous or Educators of color in Indiana. The scholarship was named for Ann Wilkins, a former Indianapolis Public Schools teacher, Indianapolis Education Association President and ISTA UniServ Director. The Ann Wilkins Legacy Scholarship awards $1,000 per semester for up to two semesters for any BIPOC undergraduate or graduate student who is in a full-time practicum experience pursing licensure in education is any one of the Indiana Approved Educator Preparation Programs. Prospective students must be a current ISTA Aspiring Educator member and plan to pursue employment in any public school system in Indiana. Prospective candidates will also be expected to submit two letters of reference and complete a 500 word or fewer essay explaining why a racially diverse faculty is essential to the learning outcomes of Hoosier students. One of these letters of recommendation must be submitted from an official in the Educator Preparation Program where the applicant is enrolled.
Nomination deadline is Nov. 15 for spring semester applicants and April 15 for fall semester applicants. The Racial Affairs Committee will evaluate the applications and choose an awardee.
Questions? Contact LaQuita Maxey and Brytnie Jones.
The 2024 Ann Wilkins scholarship recipient is Naomi Gee.
ISTA Aspiring Educators Scholarship
Eligible: ISTA Aspiring Educators (college/university student) member
This scholarship awards $500 to four ISTA Aspiring Educators members. Applicants should be current Aspiring Educators members, interested in a career in education, active in their local chapter and committed to the foundations of the ISTA Aspiring Educators program.
Applicants should be prepared to write an essay and submit two letters of recommendation and current transcript.
Questions? Contact Angela Miller.
The 2024 Aspiring Educator Scholarship recipients are Elanor Branam, Shantae Ferguson, Hannah Nix, Ana Wahll and Ryley Zawada.
Jesamie Moore Memorial Scholarship
Eligible: ISTA Aspiring Educators (college/university student) members seeking certification in special education
This in-memoriam scholarship was created to honor Jeasmie Moore, a senior at IUPUI pursuing a dual license in elementary and special education and an active aspiring educator member. Applicants should be current ISTA Aspiring Educators members, interested in a career in special education, active in their local chapter and committed to the foundations of the ISTA Aspiring Educators program.
Applicants should be prepared to write an essay and submit two letters of recommendation and current transcript. Application deadline is March 31.
Questions? Contact Angela Miller.
Awards
Outstanding Senior Recognition Award
Eligible: ISTA Aspiring Educators (college/university student) graduating senior
This honor recognizes two seniors who have contributed to the work and promotion of ISTA Aspiring Educators, both at the state and chapter level. The $100 award recognizes active ISTA Aspiring Educators members in their senior year of college.
Applicants should be prepared to outline their involvement in ISTA Aspiring Educators.
Questions? Contact Angela Miller.
The 2024 Outstanding Senior Recognition Award recipient is Ana Wahll.
Outstanding Local Advisor Award
Eligible: ISTA Aspiring Educators (college/university level) chapter advisor
This award recognizes an ISTA Aspiring Educators advisor at a university or college Aspiring Educators chapter. The recipient is identified as an advisor that demonstrates dedication and service to the ISTA Aspiring Educators program at the local/chapter level.
Nominators should be prepared to submit an essay and two letters of recommendation.
Questions? Contact Angela Miller.
The 2024 Outstanding Local Advisor award recipient is Andrea Jefferson.
Outstanding Local Chapter Excellence Award
Eligible: ISTA Aspiring Educators (college/university level) chapter
This award recognizes a local student chapter that has facilitated leadership and development opportunities in the areas of teacher quality, community outreach and political advocacy.
Applicants should evaluate the chapter’s success in community outreach, teacher quality, political action and organization and infrastructure. Applicants should be prepared to write four essays and submit supporting materials.
Questions? Contact Angela Miller.
The 2024 Outstanding Local Chapter Excellence Award recipient is Ivy Tech - Evansville Aspiring Educators.
Outstanding Local Rookie Award
Eligible: ISTA Aspiring Educators (college/university student) members in freshman or sophomore year of college
This award recognizes a freshman or sophomore who has exhibited leadership to their local chapter. Contributions to the local chapter should include: improving the local chapter, participation in professional development activities, impact on members and the community and ability to differentiate themselves from other freshman and sophomore ISTA Aspiring Educators members.
Nominators should be prepared to write an essay and submit two letters of recommendation.
Questions? Contact Angela Miller.
The 2024 Outstanding Local Rookie Award recipient is Shantae Ferguson.
J.D. Miller Outstanding Local Student Leader Award
Eligible: ISTA Aspiring Educators (college/university level) local chapter leaders
This award recognizes an ISTA Aspiring Educators local chapter leader who has provided excellent leadership to their Aspiring Educators chapter throughout the year. Nominees should demonstrate their ability to strengthen and grow local student chapter, participate in professional development opportunities, support existing programs/project and/or develop new ones, impact student members and the community, commit to providing opportunities for others and develop upcoming leaders and focus on inclusion, teamwork and communication.
Nominators should be prepared to write an essay and submit two letters of recommendation.
Questions? Contact Angela Miller.
The 2024 J.D. Miller Outstanding Local Student Leader Award recipient is Brooke Weisner.