Supporting the Next Generation of Educators

Since becoming a teacher, Alex Grapp has been impressed with the profession's dedication to mentorship.

"There is something special in the profession where teachers believe in the importance of making sure the next generation is trained," he says of the support he has received from Drake faculty and the teachers he has met in the field.

Alex is a recipient of the Jane E. Kelley Restricted Scholarship. He says the scholarship is another example of the encouragement teachers give to one another and how much they value education.

The scholarship was created by Jane Kelley, a former elementary and middle school teacher and a 1964 graduate of the Drake School of Education. The Kelley Scholarship is awarded to students who are pursuing a master's degree in education at Drake.

Jane says she was fortunate to graduate with no debt from the University, so she wants to help alleviate the financial burden working professionals may face while getting an advanced degree. Jane has also supported future educators through a planned gift for Collier-Scripps Hall.

Alex worked at a nonprofit before deciding to pursue his teaching license. He is grateful for the scholarship because it has allowed him to focus on his studies and student-teach this semester full-time.

"I'm incredibly fortunate to have that opportunity," he says.

Alex will graduate in the spring with a Master of Arts in Teaching and plans to teach English at the high school level.

"I am a huge bookworm; I love books, and I love when students love books," he says. "Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to see how impactful teachers are in young people's lives, and how important teaching is, so I knew I needed to pursue it."

You can ensure more Bulldogs have access to the financial support they need to pursue their passions with a gift in your estate plan. To learn more, please contact John Amato at 515-271-2849 or john.amato@drake.edu.