Future Teacher Certification Thousands Strong Campaign Exceeds Goal
The students enrolled in OU's teacher education program in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education work hard to earn their degree so that they can teach the next generation of K-12 students. However, before they can walk across the graduation stage and into their very own classroom, they have to pass a series of background checks and certification tests mandated by the state of Oklahoma (or any state in which they choose to teach).
Students pay upwards of $364 for all of their certification tests before entering a classroom. Depending on what grade level and subjects they plan to teach, that number could rise closer to $600. These expenses come at a time when they are still paying tuition and often cannot work an outside job because of teaching internship commitments. The college saw this need and created a Future Teacher Certification Fund in 2016.
This year’s fundraising effort took place in the month of October and a total of $15,999 was raised, including a $5,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor.
Susan Greer
Included in that total was a gift from Susan Greer, director of alumni outreach in the college. This past spring, Greer was honored with an OU Distinguished Staff Performance Award and chose to direct her winnings to the Future Teacher Certification Fund.
“For all of us who have entered a professional field, we have seen the unexpected expenses that come up, whether it is professional clothing or certification fees, and they come at a time when a lot of students don’t have that money to give,” Greer said. “Money should never be a barrier to entering your chosen profession.”
An OU employee for more than 25 years, Greer came to the JRCoE in the fall of 2015, and her position has evolved into one that works directly with students on a near-daily basis. Greer oversees all student groups in the college, including Kappa Delta Pi and Oklahoma Aspiring Educators Association. This role gives her a view of just how talented and driven the students are, as well as what supports they need from the college to make it to graduation and into the classroom.
“Building relationships with these students, I see and hear about the struggles they are going through; things I didn’t have to worry about when I was in college,” Greer said. “And yet I see our students embrace the challenges that are put in front of them. We need to be supporting these future teachers as they will be key to moving our country forward.”
Because of the effects of COVID-19, student need has increased in the past 12 months. In 2018-19, 11 students received support from the fund and 20 received funding in 2019-20. Just four months into the 2020-21 academic year, 16 students already have received certification assistance.
Support from within has been a hallmark of the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, and this campaign is one where the effect is easy to see.
“I wanted to give back because this college has been so supportive of me and I believe in what we do,” Greer said. “When I give back to the college, I see the impact firsthand. Even the smallest gift can make a huge difference.”
If you would like to make a gift to the Future Teacher Certification Fund, visit https://giving.oufoundation.org/OnlineGivingWeb/Giving/OnlineGiving/Education