Illinois resident and high school principal Andrew Jordan, Ed.S., has worked in education for ten years. Known as a principal who pushes for change, he has been successful in bringing change to the schools he has led. In preparation for his career in education, Dr. Andrew Jordan attended Western Illinois University (WIU) in Moline, where he earned a master’s degree in educational leadership. The educational program at WIU awards scholarships in an effort to recruit teachers to work in rural communities throughout Illinois. The scholarships are offered through the Great River Teacher Corps (GRTC), a program within WIU that recruits and trains teachers to teach in west central Illinois. The data reflects a greater need for teachers in these underserved communities. Last year, the state needed between 20,000 and 24,000 teachers to reach children who live in these rural communities that make up 58 percent of the districts in the state. Conversely, in the years spanning 2000 to 2015, enrollment in teacher preparation programs dropped by 39 percent. The good news is that the GRTC has a 92 percent retention rate, which means teachers who go through the program are likely to teach in these areas. Scholarships in the 2020-2021 academic year for eight students were made available through four foundations, area banks, and individual donors. Worth between $8,000 and $14,000, students who receive assistance must teach in a rural community for a minimum of three years upon earning their credentials. To qualify, students need a grade point average of at least 3.0 and are required to submit an essay on the value of rural/small schools. They also need the endorsement of the superintendent of the school district where they intend to teach. More information regarding this scholarship can be found at wiu.edu/coehs/grtc/students.php.

1. Andrew Jordan
WIU Provides Scholarships for Teaching in Rural Communities

2. Introduction
Illinois resident and high school principalAndrew Jordan, Ed.S., has worked in education for ten years. Known as a principal
who pushes for change, he has been successful in bringing change to the schools he has led. In preparation for his career in
education, Dr.Andrew Jordan attendedWestern Illinois University (WIU) in Moline, where he earned a master’s degree in
educational leadership.

3. The educational program atWIU awards scholarships in an effort to recruit teachers to work in rural communities throughout
Illinois.The scholarships are offered through the Great RiverTeacher Corps (GRTC), a program withinWIU that recruits and
trains teachers to teach in west central Illinois.

4. The data reflects a greater need for teachers in these underserved communities. Last year, the state needed between
20,000 and 24,000 teachers to reach children who live in these rural communities that make up 58 percent of the
districts in the state. Conversely, in the years spanning 2000 to 2015, enrollment in teacher preparation programs
dropped by 39 percent.The good news is that the GRTC has a 92 percent retention rate, which means teachers who go
through the program are likely to teach in these areas.

5. Scholarships in the 2020-2021 academic year for eight students were made available through four foundations, area
banks, and individual donors.Worth between $8,000 and $14,000, students who receive assistance must teach in a rural
community for a minimum of three years upon earning their credentials.

6. To qualify, students need a grade point average of at least 3.0 and are required to submit an essay on the value of
rural/small schools.They also need the endorsement of the superintendent of the school district where they intend to
teach. More information regarding this scholarship can be found at wiu.edu/coehs/grtc/students.php.