KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM)– Western Michigan University is Partnering with Kalamazoo Public Schools, using about $275-thousand from the Advia Foundation and an anonymous WMU Alum to help turn 11-minority Promise Scholars into teachers.
Each student will receive $5,000 per year, over and above what they receive from The Promise to pay their tuition.
They can use the new money to cover housing, food, transportation and books.
They will get internships with Kalamazoo Schools and have mentors from the district.
Upon graduation, they will get job interviews at KPS. If hired they will have to commit to staying with the district for at least three years.
As WMU President John Dunn put it, the district will get teachers who more accurately reflect the make-up of the student body. Currently only 2% of the teaching majors at WMU are black males and they only make up 3% of the KPS Teaching staff.
Superintendent Michael Rice says they face similar challenges finding diversity at most teacher colleges.
They hope this program will improve the diversity at both educational institutions.
Six students will participate in the first year of the program beginning this fall and five will start next fall.
The screening for candidates begins soon.
