Scholarships address chronic shortages of math and science teachers in city’s public schools
Four outstanding BMCC students have been honored with scholarships from the Annette Urso Rickel Foundation for 2006-07. These “Rickel Teaching Scholars” plan to be math and science teachers in the city’s public schools where there is a chronic shortage of teachers with these specialties.
The four students are among 15 Rickel Teaching Scholars who have received scholarships for the current year. The scholarships support talented students interested in math and science with the potential of becoming exemplary teachers. For many of these students, the scholarship makes the critical difference in their ability to continue their college education.
“They are the teachers of tomorrow,” says Dr. Annette Urso Rickel, a psychotherapist in private practice and faculty member at Weill Cornell Medical College, who established the Foundation out of her commitment to increase math, science and teachers of color in the City’s public schools. “Teacher quality is a primary determinant of student achievement, so encouraging motivated college applicants to become math and science teachers is an important step in raising the quality of education here and insuring our country’s global competitiveness.”
For Dwight Hallet, 29, a Harlem resident, who had dropped out of college ten years ago, the scholarship allows him to attend BMCC at night after he finishes his job with the City. “As a single parent, this scholarship really takes a burden away from me,” says Dwight who plans to major in math at NYU after getting his associates degree. While a teacher’s assistant at a school for special needs children, he became motivated to become a public school math teacher. “I realized the need to be a positive African-American male role model for these children who in 85% of the cases, feared mathematics,” says Dwight.
“I would have to work if I didn’t have this scholarship,” says Supria Nandi, 24, who lives in the Bronx with her husband and two year old son. Supria has worked part-time and attended BMCC part-time since her son was five months old. “Now I will have more time for my studies and my son,” she says. Supria came to New York from Bangladesh in 2002 and has always dreamed of becoming a teacher like her father back home. She plans to major in math at Lehman College after receiving her associate’s degree.
Martha Santos came to New York from Ecuador in 2002 and did not speak English. She attended English language classes at BMCC and then matriculated as a full-time student. Now an honor student, Martha says that the scholarship “will allow me to give up working and spend my time on what’s most important to me: my two-year-old daughter, my studies and BMCC extra-curricular activities.” Martha started the first Latino publication at BMCC. “I want to teach young children to appreciate math and help them learn early so they won’t fear it,” she says. Martha hopes to attend NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education after receiving her associate’s degree.
Mary Bullen, a BMCC student and mother of two, was raised in Grenada. She developed a commitment to public school education after volunteering at P.S. 315 as a Learning Leader Volunteer. Mary’s desire to become a teacher was also influenced by her father, who was a principal. “I am extremely grateful for the scholarship. It is allowing me to continue my studies this semester and pursue my dream to become a math teacher,” she says.
The need for teachers who specialize in math and science is well-documented in New York City and nationwide. As reported in the New York Times, the city needs to hire 800 math teachers and 450 science teachers for September simply to fill routine vacancies. Even after these positions are filled, about 100 to 200 positions in each specialty will be filled by a teacher not specifically certified for that subject. Currently only 40% of teachers in the public school system are black, Hispanic and Asian, while students of color represent 85% of the city’s public school student population.
The Annette Urso Rickel Foundation , a 501c(3) organization, is actively soliciting contributions from the public to support additional scholarships for deserving students.. For information on applying for a scholarship or to make a contribution, please contact the Foundation at 730 Fifth Ave., 9th Floor, New York, NY 10019, or call 212-659-7760. You can also go to the website www.teachingscholars.org or email info@teachingscholars.org.
Contacts:
Alyse Booth 718-643-4877/917-648-1382 or
Dr. Rickel 212-659-7760
