Published Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:51 AM
Updated Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:52 AM

 

Local Student awarded South Carolina Teaching Fellowship

Patrick Magers, a senior at Fort Dorchester High School has been named a South Carolina Teaching Fellow, the state's most prestigious fellowship for future teachers. The S.C. General Assembly, recognizing the shortage of teachers in the state and the importance of quality teachers in every classroom, annually funds the Teaching Fellows Program for South Carolina. This program identifies highly gifted high school seniors who commit to teaching in South Carolina. Following a rigorous application and interview process, Patrick was selected from more than 750 student applications. Each year, the program awards Fellowships for up to 200 high school seniors who have exhibited high academic achievements, a history of service to the school and community and a desire to teach South Carolina's children. The Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA), a state agency housed at Winthrop University, is responsible for administering the South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program. As a Teaching Fellow, Patrick will participate in an advanced education program at College of Charleston, one of eleven Teaching Fellows Institutions in South Carolina. In addition, he will have the opportunity for leadership development during the summer, involvement with communities and businesses throughout the state and up to $24,000 in scholarship money. A Fellow agrees to  teach in South Carolina's public schools for at least four years following graduation. "Students in the Teaching Fellows program will have numerous opportunities to become familiar with all aspects of the teaching profession," according to Brett Vaughn, Program Director for the Teaching Fellows. "We continue to work toward our goal of having a Teaching Fellow working in every district in the state, with hopes that these teachers will serve as models of teacher quality and catalysts for increased student achievement."