"Throughout my teacher training at ISU, so many people discouraged me from teaching in CPS. Typical responses to my desire to work in CPS included horror stories about how all of 'those' schools have uncontrollable violence or low-ability students. When the time came to search for a job, I passed up a position in a suburban district to take advantage of a teaching opportunity in CPS. Now in my first year at a CPS school, I don't think I could have picked a better place to begin my career. All of those horror stories turned out to be myths. The support I receive from my fellow teachers has been amazing, and I've been able to have fun though I'm in the middle of that stressful first year. The way that CPS has challenged me professionally, makes me feel a great sense of accomplishment personally. I'm grateful to CPS for this experience because I don't believe I would be learning what I am about teaching anywhere else."

Bill Van Zet, '08 Chemistry

Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

Placing math and science teachers in Chicago Public Schools

The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program at Illinois State University seeks to encourage talented science and mathematics majors and/or professionals to become K-12 teachers in the Chicago Public Schools.

The program will provide stipends and scholarships for 40 candidates enrolled in the Mathematics, Biological Sciences, Physics, Earth Science/Geology, and Chemistry Teacher Education programs. The award will cover the last two years of pre-service teacher education at Illinois State University making it ideal for current Illinois State students, community college transfers, and career-changing professionals.

The NSF award will provide a minimum of $10,000 per year. In addition, Illinois State University will waive tuition and most fees. Illinois State will also provide a $5,000 stipend for students who hold a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Biology, or Chemistry and are changing their careers to become teachers.

In return, recipients will commit to teach for at least two years in a Chicago Public School (CPS) upon successful completion of their teacher certification through Illinois State University.