St. Cloud State University is one of just 29 institutions to earn an Indian Education Professional Development Grant from the Department of Education this year to help support Native American students preparing for a career in education.
The Department awarded $10 million through the program including $360,000 for St. Cloud State to support Native American students as they seek to become teachers and administrators. Students in the program will have the opportunity to pursue the Early Childhood Education program through the College of Education and Learning Design. The college is recruiting the first class of students to start in fall.
The goal of the program is to increase the number of Native Americans teachers and administrators in schools that serve mostly Native American students in order to improve academic achievement and outcomes for those students.
“Representation matters. All students deserve the opportunity to be taught by educators who are diverse and who reflect their backgrounds and experiences,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “And we know that far too few Native American students have the chance to engage with Native American teachers in their schools and as education leaders and mentors in their communities. That must change.”
The grant includes funding to support students during their schooling with tuition and stipends and supports them through training and finding employment for their first two years of service after graduation. St. Cloud State is the only university in Minnesota included in the grant.
