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Now Accepting Applications! Through February 9, 2024
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What is the Lane Regional Teacher Pathways Program?

This project is a collaborative partnership between Lane Education Service District and the 16 Component Districts, Pacific University, University of Oregon, Bushnell University and Lane Community College. These 20 organizations are working together to transform teacher preparation by designing a program to support diverse* candidate scholars.

The project consists of four distinct focus areas including recruitment, clinical practice, hiring-placement, and mentoring. Taken together, the four areas and the proposed links within our project design yield the opportunity to help reduce the persistent diversity gap in our teacher workforce.

Why do we need the Teacher Pathways Program?

The Oregon Department of Education reports that during 2019-2020 12% of teachers are ethnically, and/or linguistically diverse. Additionally, in the last five years the number of racially, ethnically and/or linguistically diverse teachers and students has increased just two percent.

The gap that exists in Lane County reflects the gap throughout the state of Oregon first acknowledged in the 1991 Minority Teacher Act, a gap that has continued to grow over the past 30 years. The Lane Regional Teacher Pathways Program is designed to address this persistent issue by collaborating with our partners in recruiting and supporting scholars who represent the diversity of students in our classrooms.

How are Teacher Scholars supported?

  • Financial assistance through scholarships and information about other forms of support (loans, grants, scholarships)
  • Individualized academic support throughout the program, from application to licensure
  • Professional development and workshop seminars

What financial assistance does the Teacher Pathways Program provide?

The Pathways Program provides scholars with tuition scholarships ranging between $2,500 and $15,000 to attend Bushnell University, University of Oregon, Pacific University, or Lane Community College. Scholarships are paid directly to the attending college on a per term basis dependent on successful completion of each term, maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA, and making adequate progress toward licensure.

Plan and pay for college?

While the Pathways Program helps to cover the cost of tuition, it is not intended to completely fund a student’s education. Participants will need to pay application fees, housing, textbooks, testing fees, licensure fees, additional tuition and other educational items as needed.

Applicants are required to complete a FAFSA by the end of February each year and are encouraged to visit the Office of Student Access and Completion for a full list of grants and scholarships, like the Oregon Opportunity Grant, Oregon Promise, as well as other resources to support your education.

Eligibility?

Candidate scholars for the Lane Regional Teacher Pathways Program must:

  • Have graduated from high school
  • Be a resident of Lane County, and
  • Qualify for admittance to one of our consortia partners:

University of Oregon, Pacific University, or Bushnell University (or plan to attend Lane Community College to obtain an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer AAOT).

Additionally, the Pathways Program is aligned to Oregon Department of Education (ODE) definitions as stated in the Educator Equity Act (See the annual Oregon Educator Equity Report to further understand Oregon commitments to educator workforce diversity.) statutes (342.433 Definitions for ORS 342.433 to 342.449. As used in ORS 342.433 to 342.449 and 350.100) in diversifying our teaching workforce by actively recruiting scholars who are culturally or linguistically diverse, having the following characteristics:

a. Origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa but is not Hispanic;

b. Hispanic culture or origin, regardless of race;

c. Origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent or the Pacific Islands;

d. Origins in any of the original peoples of North America, including American Indians or Alaskan Natives; or

e. A first language that is not English.

How do I apply?

Applications are open through January 31, 2024 – apply HERE

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact Erika Case at 541-461-8347 or ecase@lesd.k12.or.us

For programming, eligibility and to learn more about the LRT Pathways Program refer to the content on this webpage first. For any other questions, please contact Sharon England at sengland@lesd.k12.or.us

From Scholar to Teacher

Kevin Summerfield, Sheldon High
Edith Gomez Navarrete, Eugene 4j
Michael Klindt, Springfield High
Ana De la Paz Martinez, Prairie Mountain School

Document Portal

Downloads


Additional Resources

Oregon Targeted Funding

There is also funding targeting applicants from underrepresented communities in the field of teaching. (See the annual Oregon Educator Equity Report to further understand Oregon commitments to educator workforce diversity.)

The Oregon’s Educator Advancement Council offers targeted funding for underrepresented communities in pre-service teachers via the Oregon Teacher Scholars Program (OTSP).

In addition, please be aware of outside funding for future educators, including the federal TEACH Grant. You can explore other scholarship options at TeacherCertification.com

Financial Aid for Undocumented and DACA Students

Undocumented students in Oregon may be eligible for the following state financial aid programs, as long as they meet all other program requirements.

Oregon Opportunity Grant

Undocumented students can apply by submitting the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) as soon as possible after October 1st. See additional eligibility requirements

Oregon Promise Grant

Undocumented students can apply by completing the ORSAA and submitting an Oregon Promise application in the OSAC Student Portal. The application deadline depends on the student’s graduation date.

OSAC Scholarships

Certain scholarships, including those offered by Oregon Community Foundation and The Ford Family Foundation, are available to undocumented students. See additional eligibility requirements

Undocumented students can apply by completing the ORSAA and submitting an OSAC Scholarship application in the OSAC Student Portal. Application deadline is March 1st each year.

Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA)

As part of the application process for the above programs, undocumented students must complete the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA). OSAC uses information from the ORSAA to calculate students’ financial need and award eligibility for grants and scholarships. The ORSAA is a confidential application that is used solely to qualify students for financial aid in Oregon. If you need help with the ORSAA, please call (800) 452-8807 or email ORSAAHelp@hecc.oregon.gov.