Christopher K. Smith Memorial Future Teacher Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Delaware State Education Association
Overview
Duty-free lunch periods are now a standard element in nearly every DSEA-negotiated collective bargaining agreement, but that wasn’t always the case. In 1969 a social studies teacher rallied his peers to press for this contractual right, launching DSEA’s initial organized member lobbying effort and changing working conditions for Delaware educators.
History
The teacher who led that campaign was Christopher K. Smith. Smith taught in the Georgetown and Colonial School Districts and later served two terms as Delaware’s representative on the NEA Board of Directors. He died unexpectedly in 1989. To honor his contributions to public education and union advocacy, the DSEA Executive Board created the Christopher K. Smith Memorial Future Teacher Scholarship in 1990.
Award Details
- Amount: $1,000 per year, renewable for up to four years.
- Eligible recipients: Graduates of Delaware public high schools who plan to major in education.
- Academic requirement: Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
- Teaching commitment: Recipients are encouraged, but not required, to teach in a Delaware public school after completing their degree.
Application and Selection
The scholarship selection committee is made up of DSEA staff and members. When choosing a recipient, the committee reviews academic records, involvement in high school activities, and the applicant’s career intentions. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from teachers. Those letters should speak to the student’s leadership potential, personal character, and demonstrated initiative.
Selection Criteria Considered
- Class rank
- Grade point average (transcript through the end of the senior year)
- SAT scores
- Participation in school activities over the last four years
- Awards and honors
- Career plans
- Two teacher reference letters that expand on the applicant’s activities, leadership record, character, and initiative