OAISD EMPLOYEES SELECTED AS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
TO FURTHER TEACHING CAREER THROUGH WEST MICHIGAN TEACHER COLLABORATIVE
Holland, MI – Three Ottawa Area ISD employees were accepted into the West Michigan Teacher Collaborative (WMTC), a partnership between Kent, Ottawa Area and Muskegon Intermediate School Districts and Grand Valley State University, and will receive a full scholarship to Grand Valley State University and a living stipend as they pursue a teaching certificate to become certified teachers.
“We're excited about the WMTC program because it opens doors for passionate staff members who might not have considered teaching otherwise,” Dr. Kyle Mayer, Superintendent of Ottawa Area ISD, said. “It's a great chance for them to join our awesome team of teachers and really make a difference for our students' futures. We're all in on supporting their journey to help shape lives in our community.”
Nate Garcia, Teacher’s Aide at Sheldon Pines School, Kathy Emelander, Classroom Aide for Young Adult Services and Ottawa Area Center Behavior Tech Kimberly Olson have all been accepted into the program and will soon start working towards their teaching degrees.
Garcia said he was deeply honored to receive the scholarship.
“After years working in schools, my passion for education has only grown stronger,” Garcia said. “With this support, I am determined to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher, eager to make a positive impact on the lives of students in my community, particularly in the field of special education.”
“WMTC is helping me to obtain my dream of becoming a teacher,” Emelander added.
The application period for those interested in becoming a teacher opens again in July 2024.
West Michigan Teacher Collaborative is funded by a $19 million state grant to recruit, train and retain the next generation of high-quality teachers in West Michigan by removing barriers and providing support for those who want to become teachers. WMTC offers three programs that provide options for people without a bachelor’s degree who would like to earn one and become a teacher, people with a bachelor’s degree who are looking to switch to a teaching career, or current educators seeking additional credentials through advanced degrees.
WMTC is made possible through a partnership with Grand Valley State University and in part through funding from a Grow Your Own Program Grant from the Michigan Department of Education. Learn more at www.teachwestmichigan.org
For more information, contact Michelle Ready at 616.738-8940 x 4093 mready@oaisd.org
Ottawa Area Intermediate School District
Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (OAISD) collaborates with local schools and communities to support the educational needs of individuals from birth through all ages in the Ottawa region. By pooling resources and delivering services on a regional scale, Ottawa Area ISD efficiently provides essential programs and services to local K-12 public, charter, and parochial schools, as well as to families and adult learners, ensuring these offerings are both comprehensive and cost-effective. Visit www.oaisd.org to learn more.
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