Native teachers to get boost with Teach to Reach

Choctaw Nation
Kary Pickens

DURANT – Teach to Reach is a new opportunity for up-and-coming Native American teachers.

The Choctaw Nation Career Development program has received a five-year, $995,959 grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education. Funding will assist Choctaw tribal members and other Native Americans seeking education degrees at five Oklahoma colleges – East Central University, Northeastern State University, Oklahoma State University, University of Central Oklahoma and University of Oklahoma.

Benefits include funding for tuition, books, fees, technology allowance, professional development and a monthly living stipend. After graduation, participants will receive assistance with job placement, professional support and one-time funding for classroom supplies.

Career Development hopes to recruit 51 new teachers for the program. Enrollment has begun and will continue over the next three years. The new teachers will then work for a minimum of two years in schools with predominantly Native students.

“Our goal is to keep teachers in Oklahoma,” said Kelly Brame, project director for Teach to Reach. “We will do that by focusing on recruiting Native American teachers for Oklahoma classrooms.”

For application information, contact Teach to Reach at 866-933-2260 or http://choctawcareers.com/t2r/.