19 future Worcester County educators receive full scholarships to Salisbury University

Seidel-Worcester Scholarship, Salisbury University

SALISBURY, Md. – 19 future Worcester County educators received the surprise of a lifetime, full scholarships to Salisbury University, and a pathway to their future career as teachers. The scholarships, which totalled over $800,000, were part of the “Grow Your Own Educator Grant Program,” which aims to develop young educators before they return to teach in regions like Worcester County.

Dr. Laurie Henry, the Dean of the Seidel School of Education at Salisbury, said the program supports the founding philosophy behind the university.

“So Salisbury University was founded as a teachers college and it was designed specifically to address the teacher shortages on the Eastern Shore.” Said Dr. Henry. “And here we are, 100 years later, we’re still addressing those teacher shortages on the Eastern Shore.”

For one of the students, Caroline Webster, the scholarship brings her one step closer to her plans to return to Worcester County as a physical education teacher.

“Originally I wasn’t going to be able to stay on campus next year because I was going to have to go home.” Said Webster. “But this is allowing me to continue my education debt-free.”

Webster was inspired to become an educator through her positive interactions as a student.

“The ones who taught me really inspired me.” Said Webster. “And now that I get the chance to go back home and teach where I grew up, it’s surreal and makes me so excited to continue my journey to be a teacher.”

One of those educators, was Dr. Niya Brown, who is now a clinical professor at Salisbury University, but was once, Caroline, and three other scholarship recipients, 3rd grade teacher.

“When we were in our classroom 10 years ago, I did not think that these three students would grow up and want to be teachers.” Said Dr. Brown. “I honestly don’t recall any of them saying, ‘I want to be a teacher’, but it’s so special to know that they’ve been inspired by educators like myself along the way.”

Officials from Worcester County Public Schools hope that the program continues to encourage a pipeline of young educators returning to the county.