What is the Council Scholar Award Program?
The Council Scholar Award Program, now in its 30th year, is designed to reward outstanding teachers annually, grades K-12, in Mecklenburg and the surrounding county community who have demonstrated a commitment to, and interest in, international education.
What are the benefits of being a Council Scholar?
A Council Scholar receives up to $3500 for an approved program abroad (study tour, language programs, study abroad, etc.) or to attend an international conference. In addition, a council scholar recipient is given a lifetime WACC membership, recognition at the World Citizen Award Dinner, invitations to special Council programs and receptions, and the opportunity to create and participate in seminars and roundtable discussions with past scholars and experts for curriculum development content enrichment, classroom resources, and professional interaction.
Who is eligible to apply?
The applicant must be a full-time teacher or staff member in Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, Gaston, and Iredell County schools (public, charter, or independent) with significant student contact in grades K-12. He/she needs to have a clear idea of their plan and its impact on the classroom, school, and community.
What do Council Scholars do?
Applicants must propose a structured international experience that includes study abroad programs, educator conferences, graduate classes, language classes, and/or group study tours.
Self-guided travel itineraries abroad will be taken into consideration. However, applicants must incorporate professional development opportunities to bridge the teacher’s knowledge gap or promote student learning.
How many Council Scholars Awards are given out?
We generally award ten grants totaling $35,000. Each educator received up to $3,500. The number of awards depends on available funds, so those amounts may change annually.
What is required of the award recipients?
Upon return, the teachers will write a detailed summary of their trip (including itinerary) of at least 10-20 pages and submit photos for the Council to share.
Each teacher will also submit documentation of upcoming travel expenses before the Council reimburses funds. The award recipients are also encouraged to attend the World Citizen Award Dinner in 2025 if their schedules allow.
They agree to be featured in any promotional materials for the Council, to present their experiences as much as possible, to be available for questions to future applicants, to use the award by December 31, 2025 (for candidates traveling in the summer), and to fill out the required tax forms.
For teachers traveling in the fall or winter of 2024, please email cklopp@charlotte.edu to set up your timeline for your report submission and travel timeline.
What is the process like?
Applications will be accepted until Friday, January 10, 2025. All applications will be reviewed before candidates are contacted for the next stage of the process. Those selected for the interview portion of the application process will be notified by the end of January 2025. The Education Committee will interview teachers selected for Round 2 of the process in early February 2025, and winners will be announced shortly after that (late February 2024/early March 2025).
What advice can you give me for creating a good application?
Craft with Excellence: Adhere to Application Guidelines. Infuse your writing with passion, clarity, precision, depth, specificity, pragmatism, and well-informed research.
Include the costs associated with your trip, have a good recommendation, and express real intention for using your experience in the classroom, with your staff/colleagues, and with the parents in your community upon your return.
How can I get more information?
Click here to download the 2024-2025 Council Scholar Award Application. Continue to check our website for more information. For application-specific questions, don’t hesitate tofollow-up with Charlotte Klopp at cklopp@charlotte.edu or call 704-687-7759.