Famous Educators that Have Made a Difference

One of the unfortunate truths of our current world era is that educators rarely get their due respect and admiration. Truth be told, this is a bit baffling, given that aside from those who have trained in medicine and law, teachers are, on average, the most educated professionals worldwide. Despite their long hours and meager salaries they persist in educating the youth of the world, molding and shaping the individuals who will soon take the torch as tomorrowҀs leaders.

Despite that they fail to get their due attention and esteem in present day society, educators׀and the teaching profession in general׀have not always been overlooked. As it happens, in past eras teachers were held in very high regard and were considered some of the most prominent leaders of their day׀in a number of different fields. Many of these famous educators went on to become some of the most celebrated authors, poets, philosophers and scientists the world has ever witnessed, with names that even today are synonymous with brilliance, genius and societal progression׀responsible for words, techniques and ideas that have helped to shape the world we live in.

Some of these famous educators include:

Confucius (551-479 BC). Confucius was a famous educator and philosopher in China whose ideas about self-improvement through education are still widely read and valued today.

Plato (428-348 BC). Plato, who is said to have founded the first university, was a Greek teacher/philosopher who was adamant that both teachers and students should be lifelong learners and continue to improve themselves through education.

Jesus (5 BC-30 AD). No famous educator is more widely read today than Jesus, whose daily lessons via parables and proverbs continue to steer the lives of Christians around the world.

John Locke (1632-1704). John Locke was a famous educator who believed education should revolve around improving oneҀs character. He stressed guided training over rote instruction and preparation for life over preparation for university.

Horace Mann (1796-1859). Considered the ӀFather of the American Public School,Ԁ Horace Mann was a famous educator who believed that every child׀wealthy or poor׀should have regular, daily access to a well-rounded education. ӀEducation for all,Ԁ says Mann Ӏwould become the great equalizer of men.Ԁ

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862). Henry David Thoreau, although perhaps best known for his poetry later in life and his love of nature, was a schoolteacher who believed that education should involve more than textbooks and memorization. He introduced new teaching techniques such as journal writing and field trips that, he said, would enhance the overall learning experience.

Anne Sullivan (1866-1936). There is perhaps no teacher who demonstrated more persistence and commitment than Anne Sullivan׀the famous educator who worked closely and tirelessly with Helen Keller, a blind student with severe learning disabilities. Despite a handicap of her own, Sullivan developed and implemented a form of touch reading for Keller, stressing that children learn from direct experience and repetition rather than vague concepts.

This is just a partial list of the many famous educators whose commitment to teaching and learning has revolutionized the world and made progress possible. Collectively, they are a shining example of how central teachers are to the fabric of our society, and why teachers today should receive the notoriety and praise they deserve for the consistent dedication they demonstrate in carrying out the most essential of responsibilities: Educating our children.

Educators Scholarship: Financial Assistance for Aspiring Teachers

Have you ever thought of becoming an educator׀a teacher with the opportunity to change the lives of your students for the better? If you have, you may be surprised by all the opportunities for financial assistance that are currently available, including many organizations that offer a full educatorҀs scholarship. In the article below we will list a number of these opportunities for financial assistance, including educatorҀs scholarship, grants and fellowships, with a brief description of each offering.

Financial Assistance for Educators: Scholarship, Grant and Fellowship Opportunities

AFCEA Educational Foundation

The AFCEA Educational FoundationҀs educatorҀs scholarship is available to students who are actively pursuing an undergraduate degree or teaching credential for the sole purpose of instructing United States secondary school students in mathematics, science, engineering and technology.

James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation

Dedicated to producing exceptional teachers with a deep knowledge and appreciation of the United States Constitution, the James Madison Memorial Fellowship is an educatorҀs scholarship that is annually awarded to teachers of American History and Government, along with Social Sciences teachers pursuing a graduate level degree. The fellowship is awarded through a national teacher competition held each year.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematic

Each year the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics awards an educatorҀs scholarship for both elementary and secondary school teachers of mathematics who are pursuing a graduate degree. Teachers of mathematics are underrepresented in many teacher preparation programs, which is why many organizations such as this are so eager to offer these types of educatorҀs scholarships.

Barbara Latze EducatorҀs Scholarship for Future Teachers

The Barbara Latze EducatorҀs Scholarship is for undergraduate students who are either enrolled in, or plan to enroll in a program of physics with the purpose of teaching at the secondary school level.

Woodrow Wilson-Rockefeller Brothers Fund Fellowships

The Woodrow Wilson/Rockefeller Brothers educatorҀs scholarship is aimed at helping aspiring teachers of color earn their undergraduate degree and certification to teach at a K-12 school. The fellowship is awarded annually and is open to students who are currently enrolled and those planning to enroll in any teacher preparation program.

Lenore Annenberg Teaching Fellowship

The Lenore Annenberg educatorҀs scholarship is very unique in that it offers recent college graduates AND career changers financial assistance if they agree to work in urban and rural communities with a disproportionate number of disadvantaged youths.

The number and variety of educatorҀs scholarships is very impressive indeed when compared to the number of scholarships offered to students in other fields of study. This is largely due to the extreme need for qualified teachers in almost every state across the county. If you are either currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or teacher preparation program, OR if you are considering returning to school to pursue a program or degree of this nature, there has never been a better time to do so. New scholarship opportunities are always being added, so for additional information about what is available in your area, you may want to speak to the Financial Aid office at the school you plan to attend.