African American/Black Paraprofessional Development Scholarship Application for 2021

You can either complete the online form below or print the PDF and mail it in along with the other information requested.

Award Description:

The Paraprofessional Development Scholarship (Scholarship) is awarded to only one paraprofessional per year in the amount of $500. The Scholarship is a onetime award to the successful applicant. The Paraprofessional should already be enrolled in a program that will lead to teacher certification so this scholarship award is for courses offered beyond the first qualifying course. The Scholarship is to be used only for those courses designed to fulfill Delaware’s teaching certification and licensing requirements.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicant must be an African American resident of Sussex County, DE, currently employed and in good standing as a paraprofessional in a K-12 school in a Cape Henlopen District school, Sussex County, DE. The applicant should be employed as a paraprofessional for at least 3 years and already begun the process for certification. The applicant must share information on previous course completion for certification. The applicant does not need to designate his or her desired area of concentration at the time of the application. The applicant should demonstrate a path to certification and licensing within the next five years. Finally, upon course completion and licensing, applicant must evidence an intention to continue employment in the Sussex County School Districts.

Criteria:

The applicant should demonstrate understanding of racial justice through action. These actions, along with others, may include the following:

Peer mentoring and help with homework;
Membership in organizations that further racial understanding and justice, qualities of citizenship and leadership; including participation in SDARJ programs developed for K-12 student programs
Volunteering for literacy education; coaching assistance for children and mentoring;
Where appropriate, introducing Black history on the local and national level, highlighting heroes, inventors and important role models;
Where appropriate introduce Black literature and poetry to students;
Facilitating or initiating school clubs or organizations which support the mission of SDARJ.
Developing programs for Black History Month; and
Developing programs within the school that promote cultural diversity, tolerance and equity.

Application Materials:

You can either complete the online form on this page or print the PDF and mail it in along with the other information requested.

Mail your application

Please assemble the information in one package to include the following five items:

Completed Application Form;
Transcript of Course (s) Completed;
Statement of Financial Need including intention to finish teacher certification within 5 years;
Two letters of recommendations: one by teacher or administration where employed and unrelated adult; and
Resume, including list of extracurricular activities supporting SDARJ mission statement.

Application Packets and Transcript to be sent to:

Scholarship Program Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice
PO Box 306,
Lewes, DE 19958

Application Deadline:

May, 3, 2021 (receipt of email, or postmark if using USPS).

Application Acknowledgement: All applications will be acknowledged by email, U.S. Mail or telephone upon receipt.

Scholarship Award Notification: Successful candidates will be notified of their award by June 15, 2021. By that time, the applicant should have assembled proof of acceptance to a qualifying college or university.

Thank you for your submission.

If you have questions, please contact us.