MU College of Education receives $1 million gift; will create scholarships for elementary education students
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
MU alumnus pledged a $1 million contribution to the University of Missouri’s College of Education during National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Gary J. Coles and Patricia McIntosh Coles s gift will be used to establish scholarships for MU students preparing to become elementary school teachers.
“We are extremely grateful for the Coles entrusting the MU College of Education with their legacy and generously expressing their love of education by assisting generations of future teachers,” said Erica Lembke, interim dean of the MU College of Education. “Their passion for education really shines through and their commitment to our college will support our students both now and in the future.”
$1 million donation will fund scholarships for MU education students
The first recipient of a University of Missouri scholarship for students preparing to become elementary teachers on Thursday said it would help relieve some of the financial stress of student debt. Being a teacher is really special and is something I ve wanted to do since I was a first- grader, said Shelby Johnson, a junior elementary education major from Parker, Colorado.
A special first-grade teacher sparked her passion for education, she said, while shedding a few tears. Thank you for celebrating teachers, Johnson told the donors who made her scholarship possible. We need them and they re so, so important.
The gift will establish scholarships for MU students preparing to become elementary school teachers. We are extremely grateful for the Coles entrusting the MU College of Education with their legacy and generously expressing their love of education by assisting generations of future teachers, Erica Lembke, interim dean of the college, said. Their passion for education really shines through and their commitment to our college will support our students both now and in the future.
Patricia Coles is a longtime school teacher and administrator, including several years of teaching at Columbia Public Schools in the 1980s. She served as director of Columbia Public School s Title 1 reading program and founded their Title 1 math program. Title 1 is part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 19655, which aims to close the achievement gap between low-income and other students.