Ginny Burney Scholarship
The primary purpose of the Ginny Burney Scholar Program is to increase low-income or culturally or linguistically diverse students’ access to talent development opportunities through educator training. The scholarship recipient will serve in the critical role of being a catalyst for change in the attitudes and perceptions some educators have historically held which have impeded the full development of potential in low-income or culturally or linguistically diverse students. The Indiana Association for the Gifted (IAG) recognizes the vital role that teachers, high ability coordinators, and counselors play in identifying and developing gifts and talents in today’s diverse student body and supports efforts to provide training to ensure there are highly qualified teachers, high ability coordinators, and counselors in every school. In addition, IAG values equity and excellence and is committed to developing leaders who can effectively advocate for historically underrepresented groups. Therefore, this scholarship program seeks to identify passionate, innovative teachers, high ability coordinators, and counselors in communities where students from low-income or culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds are historically underrepresented in gifted programs. Teachers, high ability coordinators, and counselors from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. Following the completion of the program, scholarship recipients will be asked to share their learning with their colleagues or community.
Scholarship winners receive professional development opportunities, including:
▪ Travel stipend and hotel accommodations, plus complimentary registration to the 2024 IAG Annual Conference at the JW Marriott, Indianapolis, IN, December 8-10, 2024.
▪ Membership in IAG.
▪ Membership on IAG’s Equity & Justice Committee.
▪ A professional mentor from among the IAG Board.
Who is eligible to apply for a Ginny Burney Scholarship?
Teachers, high ability coordinators, counselors, or school psychologists who:
▪ Work in a school with a significant free and reduced lunch population (designated Title I school or similar demographics) or a school with a significant linguistically diverse population;
▪ Are new to the field of high ability education or are in a new high ability position (less than 5 years);
▪ Have demonstrated a desire and commitment to increase low-income or culturally or linguistically diverse students’ access to talent development opportunities; and
▪ Whose interests and professional goals are aligned with the purpose of this professional growth opportunity and are beneficial to their low-income or culturally or linguistically diverse students, school, or community.
How do I apply?
All applicants must complete an online application, which includes all the items listed below in order for your application to be considered. The address for the online form is https://iag.wufoo.com/forms/2024-ginny-burney-scholar-program/
1. Personal Contact & School Information Cover Sheets. Provide descriptive information about yourself and your school population. This information will provide a “snapshot” of your school population (including race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status) for the selection committee. We recognize that there is frequently a delay in the reporting of this type of information, so please submit the most current data available and indicate the year in which the information was collected. Typically, this information can be obtained from school administrators or Indiana State Department of Education.
2. Upload Your Personal Statement (no more than two [2] single-spaced pages). Explain your interest in this program, describing your passion for and experience in working with low-income or culturally or linguistically diverse students. Describe barriers you face as an educator in your work with underrepresented groups. Include your expected goals for this experience, and describe the potential benefits for development of gifts and talents of low-income or culturally or linguistically diverse students and to your school/faculty and other professionals and community from this professional growth opportunity.
3. Upload Your Professional Résumé. Provide details about your teaching experience, your education, and your community involvement.
4. Request a Recommendation Letter from an Administrator. The Recommendation Letter should reflect your potential to meet the primary purpose of the Ginny Burney Scholarship program.
The recommendation letter from your school principal, program coordinator, high ability coordinator, head teacher, etc., should address your desire and commitment to advocate for low-income or culturally or linguistically diverse gifted students, their support for your participation in this program, and your role or potential to serve as a school leader. This letter should provide details of why you would be an excellent candidate (goal orientated, participation in professional development, ability to lead) for this scholarship and describes how you demonstrate a passion for low-income or culturally or linguistically diverse students and how your administrator will support you after the conference.
5. Submit Application Packet. Sign and date the authorization at the end of the application form. You will receive a confirmation email that your application materials have been received after you hit “Submit.” Applications must be completed by July 1, 2024.
What criteria will be used to determine who receives the scholarships?
The following will be considered as positive factors in choosing successful candidates:
• Teachers, high ability coordinators, school psychologists, or school counselors who work in a school with a significant free and reduced lunch population (designated Title I school or similar demographics) or a significant linguistically diverse population;
• Solid evidence of desire and commitment to advocate for and develop the gifts and talents of low-income or culturally or linguistically diverse students.
• Clear indication of potential to serve as an educational leader for low-income or culturally or linguistically diverse students in the school and community setting.
• Strong capacity to become educationally productive in ways that meet the learning needs of gifted students from low-income or culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The Ginny Burney Scholar Program is administered through the Indiana Association for the Gifted. Scholarship awards are determined by members of IAG’s Equity & Justice Committee. The Ginny Burney Scholar Program is modeled after the National Association for Gifted Children’s Javits-Frasier Scholarship program.
Ginny Burney Scholarship Application Checklist
Information listed below must be included with your application packet to be considered for selection:
❑ Personal Contact & School Information Application form
❑ Personal Statement (no more than two [2] single-spaced pages)
❑ Professional Résumé
❑ Recommendation Letter
Questions?
Contact IAG via email: mail@iag-online.org
IAG would like to thank the following people and organizations for their generous donations to the Ginny Burney Scholarship Program
The Corydon Group
Mark and Mindy Ross
Wayne K. Bussard
Harry and Lyn Cangany
Donna Stephenson
Carolyn and Carl Hansen
Ben and Jessie Borgmann
Lin Frauehoff
Deedee and Bill Tucker
Donna OKeefe
Linda Gatten and Rick Butler
Susan Brady
Debbie Daulton
Betsy Neucks
Donald Nikolai
Thomas Nash
Ellen & Scott Welham