Mariela Espinel Teacher Scholarship Program

Dear Charter School Educator,

Below you will find the City of Pembroke Pines Charter School Foundation, Inc. 2008-2009 Mariela Espinel Teacher ::Scholarship Guidelines::
::Scholarship Program request form::

In order to be eligible for a scholarship, CLASSES MUST START AFTER JULY 1, 2008 AND PRIOR TO JUNE 30, 2009. Please read the guidelines carefully and be sure to submit the request form filled out completely. 

The DEADLINE for submitting the application to your principal is Friday, March 28, 2008.  Applications will not be accepted after this date.

NOTE:  PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS IS A TUITION SCHOLARSHIP, NOT TUITION REIMBURSEMENT.  SEE THE GUIDELINES, CRITERIA FOR SCHOLARSHIP #3.

This Scholarship Program is Dedicated in Honor of our Beloved Friend and Colleague

Mariela Espinel (1968-2006) was a wife, mother of two daughters in the charter school system and a remarkable woman who touched countless lives. Her energy, enthusiasm and commitment to excellence will be forever remembered by her colleagues, students and friends. Mariela began her teaching career with the Pembroke Pines Charter School system in 2002.  Over the years, she provided the hallmark of educational expertise for hundreds of students and staff. Recognizing her superior skills as a teacher, mentor and leader, her peers selected her as Teacher of the Year in 2003.  It was during this time that she also received her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and transitioned into the role of Curriculum Specialist for the East Campus.  In this capacity, she continued to give of herself to the students by diligently coordinating the development, implementation, enhancement and revision of new and existing curriculum programs.  She was also instrumental in the implementation of our highly successful Reading Counts Program. Mariela’s future goals included the pursuit of her Doctoral degree in Education.  As an original member of the City of Pembroke Pines Charter School Foundation Board, which provides scholarships to teachers seeking to further their education, in her honor, we proudly announce the establishment of the Mariela Espinel Teacher Scholarship Program.
The Mariela Espinel Teacher Scholarship Program will further the efforts of the Foundation by continuing to offer educational scholarships towards the advancement of teachers in the Charter School System.   The Pembroke Pines Charter family of schools truly holds a special place in its heart for Mariela and we are so happy to honor her memory with this prestigious scholarship program.

Mariela Espinel Teacher Scholarship Program Guidelines for the 2008-2009 School Year

Eligibility for Scholarship

1. The educator must be currently employed by The City of Pembroke Pines Charter School System.
2. The educator must be in good standing with The City of Pembroke Pines Charter School System and must have received a satisfactory employee appraisal for the previous year.
3. The educator must hold a valid State of Florida Department of Education Professional Educator’s Certificate.
4. The educator must submit the completed application by March 28, 2008.  Incomplete forms will not be processed.
5. In the event that there are more eligible educators that apply for funds than there are monies available, the Foundation will give preference to 1) educators who have not already received scholarship funds for completion of a degree or certification area and 2) educators based upon seniority in the City of Pembroke Pines Charter School System.

Criteria for Scholarship

1. The classes must be completed between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.  The class may begin prior to July 1, 2008, but it must end after this date. 
2. The educator must agree to take classes at an accredited university with the intention of earning an advanced degree (masters, specialist, or doctorate) or to add an area to their Professional Educator’s Certificate in a state identified critical shortage area.
3. The educator must provide proof to the Board that they are registered at an accredited school.  The Foundation will then send a check to the registration office of that educator’s University or College.  A letter will be sent along with the check for $1,000 stating that “These funds are to be used for tuition purposes only.  If the educator does not use these funds by June 30 of 2009, please return them to the Pembroke Pines Charter School Foundation.”
4. Educators receiving a Foundation scholarship must receive a grade of a “B” or better and may not withdraw from the class (resulting in no refund) to remain eligible to receive additional scholarships from the Foundation.
5. The educator is required to provide documentation of the grade earned for each course taken in order to remain eligible for future scholarships

Approval Pending

Download the ::Scholarship Program request form:: here.