Buford High School’s Bohn and Funderburk Named SC Teaching Fellows

Kendall Bohn and Lily Funderburk, seniors at Buford High School have been awarded the prestigious South Carolina Teaching Fellowship.

“Both have such hearts of helpers! One of the topics for the essay was to address a problem in education right now. Not only did they pull from their heart, but they also interviewed past and present teachers so they could get real content for their essays, which I think makes it so much more relevant. I think that the interviewers were able to see their passion for helping people,” Educator Rising instructor Pamela Langley said.

Bohn and Funderburk will join the freshman cohort at Lander University this fall where they will be offered numerous professional development opportunities and be involved with communities and businesses through various service projects and partnerships with local schools. 

The state’s Teaching Fellows Program, operated by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA), was established in 1999 by the SC General Assembly. The mission of the program is to recruit talented high school seniors into the teaching profession and help them develop leadership qualities. Each year, the program provides Fellowships for up to 200 high school seniors who have exhibited high academic achievement, a history of service to their school and community, and a desire to teach in South Carolina.

Applicants for the program undergo a rigorous selection process that includes an online application, an interview and presentation in front of a team of three educators, and a scored response.

Following the rigorous selection process, applicants who are awarded a Fellowship receive up to $24,000 in yearly scholarships (up to $6000 a year for four years) to attend a Teaching Fellows Institution in South Carolina. Each Fellow agrees to teach in South Carolina one year for every year he or she receives the Fellowship.

For more information about the South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program, visit teachingfellowsc.com.