These awards are given by the Department of Elementary Education and Reading and are primarily for Childhood (CED), Early Childhood (ECE), and Combined (ECC) majors. Some awards are available to MIITC students.
While most awards are for student teachers, there are some that are given before or after student teaching.
Any questions about these awards and/or the application process and deadlines can be emailed to Dr. Jevon Hunter, assistant professor, Elementary Education and Reading, hunterjd@buffalostate.edu.
Fall Awards - Application Deadline of November 1
Candidates should include a Degree Navigator audit with their application.
Exemplary Performance in an Urban/High Needs School
This award is for a student teacher who shows the special skills and disposition needed to be a successful teacher in an Urban or High Need School. Candidate should apply during the semester in which they are student teaching. This award is given in the fall.
Click here for the application.
Spring Awards - Application Deadline of April 1
Candidates should include a Degree Navigator audit with their application.
Outstanding Undergraduate in Elementary Education
This award is one of the most prestigious awards given by the department. Candidates are required to write an essay and possibly complete an interview. Candidates must have a grade point average of 3.75 or better and outstanding recommendations. This award is given in the spring, but student teachers from the fall semester may also be nominated.
Click here for the application.
MIITC Student ONLY Awards
Fall awards have November 1 as a deadline. Spring awards have an April 1 deadline. Candidates should include a Degree Navigator audit with their application.
The Shirley Spriegel Award
Shirley Spreigel was a long time supervisor of student teachers at Buffalo State College. This award is given to a Masters level student who is earning initial certification in elementary education. Only MIITC students are eligible and should apply during the semester in which they are student teaching.
Click here for the application.
Awards to be applied for PRIOR to or EARLY in the Student Teaching Semester
Alice Stielow Wehrung Schmidt Endowed Scholarship in Elementary Education
Application Deadline is OCTOBER 1.
Ms. Schmidt, a graduate of Buffalo State College, had a distinguished career in education. This award is for a student who majors in elementary education, shows financial need, and has a minimum gpa of 3.0. The scholarship is intended to help with expenses while student teaching, therefore application should occur the semester before student teaching or early in the student teaching semester.
Click here for the application.
Awards to be applied for DURING the Student Teaching Semester
Fall awards have November 1 as a deadline; spring awards have an April 1 deadline unless otherwise noted. Candidates should include a Degree Navigator audit with their application.
Circle of Excellence
Childhood, Early Childhood and Combined Majors who are in their last semester are eligible for this award if they have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or better and receive a recommendation from a faculty member. Candidates should apply in their last semester, and must be student teaching at the time of application.
Click here for the application.
The Norma Sutter Award - Multiple Awards
The Norma Sutter Award is given to a teacher candidate who has shown exceptional talent in student teaching. Mrs. Sutter recognized throughout thirty-six years in education that successful delivery of education to young children is a unique talent. Mrs. Sutter wanted to recognize teacher candidates with this unique talent. This award has both a spring and a fall recipient. Candidates should apply during the semester in which they are student teaching.
Click here for the application.
The Helfrich-Moehlau Award - Multiple Awards
This award is presented to a teacher candidate who demonstrates exceptional abilities while student teaching. Candidates will need to write an essay and possibly have an interview with Mrs. Helfrich and Mrs. Moehlau, the founders of this award. This award has both a fall and a spring recipient. Candidates should apply during the semester in which they are student teaching.
Click here for the application.
Sharon Wrzosek ’82, ’89 Memorial Award for Excellence in Student Teaching
This award is for a student in the Elementary Education and Reading Department who has completed their student teaching. The award is to recognize a student teacher who, as a student teacher, focused on the development of the whole child, and who provided leadership and mentoring to fellow Buffalo State students.
Click here for the application.
Students should also review the following websites for additional scholarship and awards opportunities specifically for Education Majors, and also other scholarships which may be applicable to their specific circumstance:
http://www.buffalostate.edu/scholarship/
http://www.buffalostate.edu/scholarship/x506.xml
http://www.buffalostate.edu/ceure/documents/sperrazza_flyerapp.pdf
Please contact the ESSE Department for information about the
Swartney-Harrison "Passion for Teaching Science Award" and the Swartney Science Teacher Development Fund
