Teach Local Scholarship

Teach Local Academy is a partnership with Charleston County School District (CCSD), Trident Technical College (TIC) and College of Charleston ( CofC) designed to address the teacher shortage and to diversify the teaching force in CCSD. Teach Local Academy students will work to obtain their associates degree from TIC at the same time they achieve a high school diploma. The first cohort began as sophomores at CCSD’s Early College High School (ECHS) in Fall 2018. The cost for taking TIC courses at ECHS will be no more than students receive in grant and aid.

The CofC Educator Preparation Program (EPP) will accept qualifying undergraduate students who graduated from ECHS and have completed transferable undergraduate credits from TIC. CofC annual tuition (not including fees, meals and housing) will be$10,000 for Teach Local participants. CofC will encourage teacher education candidates in Teach Local to obtain funding from other scholarships or loans. Upon graduation from one of CofC’s teacher education programs, CCSD agrees to hire successful and qualified graduates.

Mark and Judy Buono are making the inaugural scholarship gift to support to the Teach Local Program at the College of Charleston.

Mark is a 1981 College of Charleston graduate. In 2015, the Buonos made a significant philanthropic commitment to the College for the purpose of creating a prestigious scholarship for an out-of-state student by expanding the scope of the Colonial Scholarship Program. In 2018, after learning about the newly created Teach Local Academy through the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance, the Buonos expressed an interest in supporting scholarships for this program.

Award
Varies
Deadline
05/01/2024
Supplemental Questions
  1. Are you currently enrolled or planning to enroll in the College of Charleston Educator Preparation Program?
  2. Please send a reference request to the following:
    • A recommendation is required from a K-12 classroom Teacher Cadet placement educator.
    • A reference request from one Early College High School teacher during your junior or senior year.
    • A reference request from one TTC faculty member.
  3. Please upload an essay addressing a commitment to teaching