Date: Jul 26, 2007

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES HAGEDORN TEACHER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Hofstra University has announced the launch of The Hagedorn Teacher Fellowship Program, providing loans for undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, a record of community service and a commitment to teaching in a high-needs school district. Hagedorn fellows will do their student teaching in districts such as Freeport, Hempstead, Roosevelt, Uniondale and Wyandanch if such a position is available, and then teach in a high-needs school district after graduation.

Recently, New York State Commissioner of Education Richard Mills resolved to "overturn unfair teaching" and directed teacher educators to inspire and prepare their students to "teach where it is hard, to teach where it matters." The Horace Hagedorn Foundation partnership with Hofstra University will encourage promising teacher education students to accept that challenge.

Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz said of the Hagedorn Teacher Fellowship Program, "It's a unique opportunity to assist undergraduate and graduate students who want to serve as teachers in high-needs districts. The program will make a difference in Long Island education."

"The scholarship program will provide assistance to community-minded and financially-strapped students in Hofstra's School of Education and Allied Human Services to continue their education," said Amy Hagedorn, president of the Horace Hagedorn Foundation and a member of the Hofstra Board of Trustees, "and it will encourage them to apply their newly-honed professional skills in high-needs school districts where their services will be welcomed."

Upon graduation and recommendation for initial certification in one of Hofstra's teacher education programs, Hagedorn Teacher Fellows would be eligible for forgiveness of the equivalent of one year's loan based on each year of service in a designated high-needs school district.

Hofstra University's School of Education and Allied Human Services has a long record of service to Long Island’s high-needs school districts: student teacher placements, in-service offerings, funded programs, University and district partnerships, and the support of HNET (elementary education) and the Hofstra New Teacher Network (secondary education). The Hagedorn Teacher Fellowship Program will provide the financial support to Hofstra students who are dedicating themselves to working with schools that have the greatest need.

For more information, please call the Dean's Office at Hofstra University’s School of Education and Allied Human Services at (516) 463-5740 or visit www.hofstra.edu/hagedornfellow. An online application is available at www.hofstra.edu/Academics/Colleges/SOEAHS/soeahs_app_hagedorntf.html