Missouri PTA Scholarship Program

Scholarships awarded by Missouri Congress of Parents and Teachers to Encourage Excellence in Teaching

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE:

Caroline B. Ullmann—established in 1923 to honor Mrs. William Ullmann of Springfield, President of Missouri PTA at the time.

Dillard A. Mallory—established in 1962 by D.A. Mallory, former superintendent of Dallas County R-1 (Buffalo School District). *This scholarship is awarded to a student preparing to teach social studies or the humanities.

Irma G. Detjen—established in 1967 by Mr. C. Wheeler Detjen in memory of Irma Detjen, President of Missouri PTA from 1952-1955.

Helen B. Maupin—established in 1992 by former trustee and chairman of the Scholarship Program, Helen B. Maupin, as a way to help deserving students become teachers.

Each scholarship provides a stipend of $500 per year up to a maximum of $2,000.

To be eligible for this award, applicants must:
1. Be a graduate of or graduating from an accredited Missouri public high school in a school district with at least one PTA/PTSA unit in good standing.
2. Have a higher than average scholastic standing.
3. Have outstanding potential aptitude for teaching, good character, and personality.
4. Show financial need.
5. Enroll in a college or university in Missouri to obtain a Bachelors/Masters Degree or a community college in Missouri to obtain an Associates of the Arts in Teaching Degree to begin their preparation for teaching. (*Mallory-see above)
6. For each two (2) years of assistance, recipient must teach for one year in a public elementary or secondary school (or work in some other capacity as a certified educator).

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Missouri PTA Teacher Education Scholarships are open to any high school senior in a Missouri public high school with at least one PTA/PTSA unit in the school district in good standing. Only one application is accepted from each school. The postmark deadline to apply is February 15.

These scholarships are awarded in May at recognition ceremonies and graduations. All scholarship applications must be submitted to your school counselor, not the Missouri PTA office. All scholarship applications should be turned into your school counselor by the deadline set by your high school counseling office. For more information on scholarships contact your school counselor.

You may email the Missouri PTA at [email protected] with any additional questions regarding scholarship opportunities available through the Missouri PTA.

To download an application, please visit our scholarships page and click on the “Scholarships – Application Process” tab.

FUNDING:

The Missouri PTA Scholarship Program receives continuing financial support from contributions by local units and councils of the Missouri PTA, as well as individual gifts and memorials. The fund receives additional support from one-half (1/2) the proceeds from each Missouri Distinguished Service Award and all proceeds from the sale of each Missouri PTA 100th anniversary commemorative book Honor, Celebrate, Imagine.

ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM:

Five members who are appointed by the Missouri PTA President administer the Missouri PTA Scholarship Program. Policies for the scholarships are defined in the Standing Rules of the Missouri PTA. Under the Standing Rules, a maximum of ten (10) scholarships may be granted each year. Sufficient funds must be available to assure the completion of each scholarship award.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT MISSOURI PTA SCHOLARSHIPS!

Do you know a student who is considering a career in teaching or who may be undecided about his or her future? PTA members, teachers, and school officials can help “recruit” future teachers by making sure outstanding students are aware of the financial assistance available through the Missouri PTA Scholarship Program.

 PROVIDE LOCAL PUBLICITY – Ensure that members and school staff are knowledgeable about the State PTA Scholarship Program. The PTA Office will provide you with scholarship pamphlets upon request and the Scholarship Chairperson can arrange for additional informational opportunities.

 ENCOURAGE SELECTION OF A SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATE FROM YOUR COMMUNITY – High school principals and counselors receive a plethora of scholarship opportunities through the mail so, please, call their attention to the PTA Scholarship Announcement flier, contained in the scholarship application packets, mailed to qualified high schools in December. Additionally, high school unit presidents should promote the scholarship at PTA/PTSA meetings and ensure that the program is advocated at Student Council meetings.

 PROMOTE ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT – PLEASE establish the Missouri PTA Teacher Education Scholarship Program as a line item in your annual budget, to ensure that an outstanding young person realizes their goal of becoming a Missouri Public School teacher.

 HONOR A DESERVING INDIVIDUAL: Making an endowment to the Missouri State PTA Scholarship Program in the name of an exemplary individual is an excellent way to honor them. Honor an outstanding volunteer, principal, teacher or community leader with the Missouri PTA Distinguished Service Award. When purchasing a Distinguished Service Award from Missouri PTA, also consider purchasing our commemorative book as an extra gift for the honoree.

HOW TO DONATE TO THE MISSOURI PTA SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS:

The Missouri PTA cares about quality in education. Help us by supporting the Missouri PTA Scholarship Program.

Donations may be made by sending the following information to the Missouri PTA office:

Name, Address, Amount of Contribution, and name of scholarship that the donation is for (Ullmann, Mallory, Detjen, Maupin)

Please indicate if this contribution is being made as a memorial or in special recognition of an individual, the Missouri PTA will formally acknowledge all special gifts.

Send above information and check to: Missouri PTA, 2101 Burlington Street, Columbia MO 65202

Accreditation As Soon As Possible (ASAP)

Accreditation As Soon As Possible (ASAP)

Current Missouri law provides only one avenue of action by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) when a school district becomes classified as unaccredited. In addition, due to a fixed timeframe, DESE may not take action for two full academic school years, which equates to nearly three calendar years. Missouri PTA believes every child must be provided with a well-rounded, high-quality education, which will ensure that all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Accreditation As Soon As Possible (ASAP) would allow DESE greater flexibility with regard to timing and restructuring when a school district becomes unaccredited. In addition, this change in the law would provide for public engagement related to the change in governance of unaccredited schools. Missouri PTA supports Accreditation As Soon As Possible legislation as outlined in the filed 2012 House Bill 1174 and Senate Bill 677.

Membership Tip: PTA has a theme song!

The National PTA mission theme song, “Every Child, One Voice“—performed by Jon Christopher Davis & Annagrey at the 2012 Convention in San Jose—is FANTASTIC! It’s available at iTunes, Amazon and Spotify. You can also download a ringtone for iPhones.

It Inspires us, to be Informed, to be Involved!!!

Get it, Play it, Listen to it!

Use it to inspire your board. Play it at Back-School-Time events like teacher in-services and meet the teacher nights. They will want to be informed & involved PTA MEMBERS!!!

Delegates Approve Two Resolutions Aimed at Driving Safety

During the 2012 National PTA convention delegates approved two resolutions written to improve child safety. The first resolution urges the creation and enforcement of laws that restrict the use of handheld and portable communication devices while driving, which 80% of drivers rate as a very serious threat to their safety, according to recent studies. The second resolution calls for PTAs to work with school administrations to call attention to unsafe walking and biking routes to schools and urge local governments to seek state and federal infrastructure grants. Both of these resolutions were submitted by Missouri PTA.
>>> Read the Resolutions

MOPTA – Consumption Tax Initiatives

Recently Mega Sales Tax, Consumption Tax or Everything Tax, initiative petitions have been filed in Missouri. These initiatives propose replacing our current state income tax structure with a state sales tax on goods and services. Due to the state’s decline in sales tax revenue over the past several years and economists predictions, this new tax structure would very likely result in a shortfall of over $2 billion dollars in revenue. Shortfalls to education funding would result in forcing local districts to raise property taxes thus shifting a greater burden of education funding from the state and directly onto local communities. Currently Missouri PTA under the Financing Education Resolution believes the state should be responsible for maintaining at least 50% of education funding. In addition, there are very few exemptions to the proposed tax structure. Tuition and fees for education is one of those exemptions thus providing a tax credit for individuals who enroll their children in nonpublic schools. Missouri PTA under the Resolution Tax Credits has long been opposed to any type of tax credit received by a parent or sponsor for nonpublic elementary or secondary education tuition. Finally, the proposed tax structure will tax food, currently exempt from state general sales tax, and no credits, rebates or allowances are offered for low-income families. National PTA has long held the belief that proper nutrition is a vital component to a healthy lifestyle, and holds the position that states should provide assistance to families when needed with regard to nutritional health.

Do to the nature of the proposed initiatives to constitutionally change the structure of our states general revenue income and the harmful effects that may result in the funding of education and general welfare of children, Missouri PTA is opposed to Consumption Tax Initiatives.