Scholarship Program Scholarship Program Informational Presentation Informational Presentation “Grow Your Own” Your Own” Iowa Educational Services for the.

Scholarship Program Informational Presentation

“Grow Your Own”

Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Iowa Braille School

Grow Your Own was created to encourage people to enter the fields of:

• Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI)

• Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Specialist

• Dual TVI/O&M

Why is this being offered?

Grow Your Own is designed for almost anyone committed to completing a qualified training program:

• Individualized financial support

• Accessible to people at various stages of their educations and careers

Who can take advantage of this program?

First…

Review license requirements in Iowa to determine what training you require. This can be done on the Iowa Board of Education Examiners (BOEE) website:

• http://www.iowa.gov/boee

How can I determine if this is right for me?

Once on the BOEE website:1. Place your cursor on “Endorsements”

to generate a dropdown menu

THEN…

For TVI License Requirements:2. Place your cursor on “Teacher” to

generate another menu3. Click “Special Education”4. Click “Visually Disabled”

OR…

For O&M License Requirements:5. Place your cursor on “Other” to

generate another menu6. Click “Professional Service License”7. Click “Orientation and Mobility”

How can I determine if this is right for me?

Second…

Find a training program:

For TVI, consider the University of Nebraska – Lincoln

http://online.unl.edu/programs-and-courses/graduate-doctorate-programs/special-education-visual-impairment.aspx

How can I determine if this is right for me?

Visit AER’s website to find other programs across the country:

• By College or University Name:http://www.aerbvi.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=113

• By State:http://www.aerbvi.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=107

How can I determine if this is right for me?

Candidates will be selected based on:

• Educational needs of Iowa studentso Specific field (TVI/O&M)o Geographic location (flexibility to relocate)

• Credentials

• Length of time to complete training program

What is the selection process?

Those selected for the scholarship will be allowed up to a maximum of $10,000 in tuition and associated costs:

Prior to internship/student teaching:

• 75% of tuition and fees per semester

• Must attain minimum of “C” for undergraduate courses or “B” for graduate courses to remain in the scholarship program

What does the program offer?

During Internship/Student Teaching :• 75% of tuition and fees per semester

• May apply for stipend to cover additional costs of completing educationo Stipend requests based on balance of remaining

maximum benefit and considered on case-by-case basis

What does the program offer?

Following program completion:

3-year minimum employment commitment

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefit package

Access to mentors

Rewarding career in the field of vision services

What else?

Application Deadline: April 30, 2015

Required Application Materials:1. Letter of interest, including your proposed plan of study2. Application form 3. Copies of transcripts

Submit Application Materials to:Justin Ruegg, Director of Human ResourcesIowa Braille School1002 G AvenueVinton, IA [email protected] (319) 472-5221, ext. 1226

How do I apply?

Questions?

Contact: Justin RueggDirector of Human [email protected](319) 472-5221 ext. 1226(800) 645-4579 ext. 1226

Questions