Township gains two Woodrow Wilson Fellows
Dominic Day and Wes Upton, teachers in the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township, have been named Woodrow Wilson MBA Fellows in Education Leadership. The two will receive stipends of $50,000 as they take part in this program at the University of Indianapolis.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence recognized the first-ever class of Woodrow Wilson MBA Fellows in Education Leadership at a Statehouse news conference June 9. This fellowship, along with the Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows Program, is designed not only to recruit and prepare talented educators, but also to change the way they are prepared.
“Attracting talent in science, technology, engineering, and math to the teaching field will help our students better understand and be successful in these fields, which are so important to our state’s future success,” said Governor Pence.
The Woodrow Wilson MBA Fellows in Education Leadership Program is intended for aspiring school principals, charter leaders, and district leaders. The program offers education professionals a new pathway to leadership – an MBA program developed collaboratively by a business school and an education school.
Fifteen Fellows, all seasoned educators, were nominated by their schools and districts, and then chosen in a selective screening and interview process administered by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation.
Each Fellow receives a $50,000 stipend and agrees, upon completion of the program, to serve in a leadership role in an Indiana school, charter organization, or district for at least three years, with Foundation-supported coaching. The Fellows begin their 13-month program this summer, focusing not only on skills but also on broader leadership qualities, vision, and character. They will be prepared to serve as school leaders by fall 2015.
Wes Upton, social studies teacher at Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center, says he appreciates the MSD of Wayne Township for nominating him for the fellowship, and the Woodrow Wilson Foundation for accepting that nomination.
“I truly believe in shaping our future through our children and believe that this program will help me to master my craft and build my leadership skills to a point where I can have a monumental impact on the children, teachers, and community of Wayne Township,” he said.
Dominic Day, social studies teacher at Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center, says being chosen as a Fellow is a humbling achievement.
“This will afford me with the opportunity to advance my career to be able to have a more profound impact on the lives of students,” he said. “It is my hope to move into administration and bring my passion, ideas, and leadership to assist the movement in making Wayne Township the top district in the nation.”
In addition to the MBA Fellows Dominic Day and Wes Upton, a volunteer and substitute teacher for MSD Wayne have been named to the 2014 class of Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows. Amanda Aitken served as a volunteer with the Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center band program. Mofoluwake Laleye was a teaching assistant at Lynhurst and helped organized the school’s first and second international festivals.
