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As part of the Breakthrough to Success Online (BTSO) program, the Wells International Foundation (WIF) – in collaboration with renowned motivator and speaker Jack Canfield – is launching a call for applications to award a one-year personal development fellowships to 80 minority female K-12 educators.
Through this quarter-million-dollar (~$250,000) gift, 80 U.S. educator awardees will be selected as BTSO Fellows for this exceptional opportunity (valued at $3000+/teacher).
More than 5,000 participants have successfully completed BTSO over the past five years. This comprehensive program will help teachers:
1) Tap into Their True Power
2) Unlock Their Authentic Potential
3) Define Their Dreams
4) Identify and Overcome Obstacles
5) Develop Long-term Success Habits and more
Who is eligible to apply?
▪ Any female K-12 educator in the United States who falls into the category of Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC).
▪ Any female BIPOC K-12 educator in the United States who qualifies as Low- to-Moderate Income (LMI). Find out if you are eligible based on your geographic area at https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il/il2021/select_Geography.odn.
| ▪ | Any female K-12 educator in the United States who falls into the category of Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC). |
What will the educator need to do to be considered?
In addition to providing name, current mailing address (P.O. Box numbers not accepted), telephone number, and email address, each applicant must complete the following steps:
Step 1 – Under penalty of perjury, declare that you fall into the categories of Black, Indigenous, (and/or) People of Color (BIPOC)
Step 2 – Under penalty of perjury, declare that you are in the Low-to-moderate income level (LMI)
Step 3 – Provide a written statement of your past and present experience (1000-word maximum).
Step 4 – Submit an essay discussing why you should be selected for the program (2000-word maximum). A strong essay will be reflective and grounded in your personal goals and objectives. It will include how COVID-19 has impacted your career and/or personal life and how it has prompted you to pivot (if applicable).
Step 5 – Provide the names and email addresses of three (3) references.
Why is the Fellowship so vital for BIPOC educators?
▪ Historically, BIPOC educators are paid less, teach at the most challenging schools, and have fewer resources in the highest poverty areas.
▪ Reports have found that minority students perform better when taught by minority teachers. Sadly, according to the U.S. Department of Education, about 50% of the nation’s public school student population is nonwhite, while 80% of public-school teachers are white.
▪ According to various studies, minority teacher presence enriches the learning aptitude for minority students, revealing that BIPOC educators are imperative for their advancement.
▪ According to the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an international organization that promotes policies to improve the economic and social well-being of people worldwide, U.S teachers have some of the lowest relative earnings across all OECD countries. (Source: Education at a Glance 2019 – OECD)
▪ High percentages of minority teachers are working with students in the public-school system that continue to lag behind their U.S. white peers and students in East Asia and Europe in reading, math and science.
▪ Battling the long-term effects of COVID-19, while being responsible for impacting the budding young minds of students, many of these teachers are experiencing burnout. Others are making the decision to quit.
| ▪ | Historically, BIPOC educators are paid less, teach at the most challenging schools, and have fewer resources in the highest poverty areas. |
| ▪ | Reports have found that minority students perform better when taught by minority teachers. Sadly, according to the U.S. Department of Education, about 50% of the nation’s public school student population is nonwhite, while 80% of public-school teachers are white. |
| ▪ | According to various studies, minority teacher presence enriches the learning aptitude for minority students, revealing that BIPOC educators are imperative for their advancement. |
| ▪ | According to the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an international organization that promotes policies to improve the economic and social well-being of people worldwide, U.S teachers have some of the lowest relative earnings across all OECD countries. (Source: Education at a Glance 2019 – OECD) |
| ▪ | High percentages of minority teachers are working with students in the public-school system that continue to lag behind their U.S. white peers and students in East Asia and Europe in reading, math and science. |
| ▪ | Battling the long-term effects of COVID-19, while being responsible for impacting the budding young minds of students, many of these teachers are experiencing burnout. Others are making the decision to quit. |
By offering the BTSO Fellowship to minority women educators, WIF is accomplishing multiple goals. Studies have found that “feminine” leadership that emphasizes compassion, communication, and empathy can be more effective in the workplace and in dealing with minority youth. The BTSO program will empower the selected educators to heighten their impact on their students’ education.
Proposed Program Activities and Timeline*:
▪ The Breakthrough to Success Online program consists of a 10-Step curriculum (1-2½ hours per module – approximately 17-18 hours for the year).
▪ Hosted by a program facilitator, 2-hour bi-weekly virtual community group sessions will allow participating teachers to discuss each module, discuss their wins, and share challenges with their peers, while evaluating their career goals.
▪ Educators will receive 48 hours of community building and group therapy (1 hour/quarter), with a qualified, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.
| ▪ | The Breakthrough to Success Online program consists of a 10-Step curriculum (1-2½ hours per module – approximately 17-18 hours for the year). |
| ▪ | Hosted by a program facilitator, 2-hour bi-weekly virtual community group sessions will allow participating teachers to discuss each module, discuss their wins, and share challenges with their peers, while evaluating their career goals. |
| ▪ | Educators will receive 48 hours of community building and group therapy (1 hour/quarter), with a qualified, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. |
*Though the outline presents a 1-year program, each educator will be able to work at her own pace.
IMPORTANT DATES
1) Educator fellowship application period opens for accepting submittals: April 29, 2021 – May 17, 2021 (submit on Website at https://www.philanthropyalliance.org/breakthrough-k-12-educators.html.
2) Deadline for submittals – May 17, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
3) Educator awardees announced – June 14, 2021
4) Educator Breakthrough to Success Online Program begins – June 21, 2021
The one-year, self-paced program runs from June 21, 2021 through May 31, 2022.
This is an exclusive program that has never been offered before to BIPOC educators.
If you’re ready to apply, the open call for submittals is from April 29, 2021 – May 17, 2021 at https://www.philanthropyalliance.org/breakthrough-k-12-educators.html.
Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact either Monique Y. Wells at wells@wellsinternationalfoundation.org or Sherita Herring-Oglesby (email: sherita@philanthropyalliance.org, phone: (501) 499-6171).
