Heaton announces local recipients of $7,500 teaching scholarship

Posted by: Wade Coggeshall  | Wednesday, April 22, 2020

STATEHOUSE (April 22, 2020) — Terre Haute students pursuing a career in education recently received the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, according to State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute).

The statewide program awards scholarships to top-performing students who commit to teaching in Indiana for at least five years. Recipients receive $7,500 per year for up to four years to obtain a teaching license. The program began in 2017 thanks to legislation supported by Heaton.

"Teachers play a crucial role in the development of our children," Heaton said. "This scholarship helps so many of our brightest students pursue this career while encouraging them to teach in Hoosier classrooms."

More than 350 students applied and several scholarships were recently awarded to these Terre Haute students:

  • Lanee Dillion, Terre Haute South Vigo High School, Indiana State University;
  • Kenzington Green, Terre Haute North Vigo High School, Indiana State University;
  • Karen Waldbieser, Terre Haute North Vigo High School, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis; and
  • Jordan Witt, Terre Haute South Vigo High School, Indiana State University.

The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship is available to 200 high-achieving high school and college students each year who either graduate in the top 20% of their high school class or earn a score in the top-20th percentile on the SAT or ACT.

Heaton said recipients must earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA and complete at least 30 credit hours per year in order to continue receiving the four-year renewable scholarship totaling $30,000.

“Congratulations to all 200 students, who are on their way to becoming impactful, future Hoosier teachers,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “We know these students have the passion and determination to make a difference in classrooms across the state.”

The 2020-2021 application will be available in the fall. Visit LearnMoreIndiana.org/nextteacher for more information. 

-30-

State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) represents House District 46,
which includes portions of Clay, Monroe, Owen and Vigo counties.
Click 
here to download a high-resolution photo.