Florida Fund For Minority Teachers, Inc Establishes Scholarship Opportunities For Part-time Students

Aug. 14, 2009 - PRLog -- GAINESVILLE, FLA. – With generous financial support provided by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (“Cracker Barrel”), part-time students who want to become Florida’s next generation of teachers can earn scholarships through a program with the Florida Fund for Minority Teachers, Inc. (“FFMT”).

Cracker Barrel’s support of the non-profit corporation will allow the creation of 24 scholarships to be provided specifically to part-time students. 16 scholarships will be made available for the 2009-10 school year. The scholarship fund aims to make education more accessible for Florida minority students. The scholarships will provide financial assistance to part-time minority students enrolled in teacher preparation programs in colleges and universities across the State of Florida.

FFMT was established by state statute in 1996 with the mission to increase the number of minority teachers in the State of Florida. This was done so that Florida’s teacher population would more accurately reflect the diversity and culture of the state’s overall populace. Previously, FFMT had only been able to fund full-time students through the state sponsored Minority Teacher Education Scholarship. However, the partnership with Cracker Barrel presents an exciting opportunity for FFMT to address the needs of many non-traditional students who are unable to attend school on a full-time basis but still aspire to become teachers.

Dr. Michael V. Bowie, FFMT Executive Director, applauded Cracker Barrel stating “many individuals, especially paraprofessionals, are unable to attend school full-time due to family obligations. Unfortunately, they are ineligible for our current scholarship [which requires full-time status]. This scholarship [offered by Cracker Barrel] provides them with an opportunity to return to school, complete their degree, and teach in a Florida classroom.”

“We view Cracker Barrel’s support of the Florida Fund for Minority Teachers as part of our overall commitment to achieving business excellence by embracing diversity and inclusion,” said Diana S. Wynne, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Cracker Barrel. She added, “we believe that welcoming diversity in our company, our retail stores, and our restaurants, is good for business and, more importantly, good for people.”

Since 1996 FFMT has disbursed over $25M in scholarships and has helped to finance the education of thousands of minority teachers for the State of Florida. With the help of Cracker Barrel, FFMT will be able to continue to cultivate the growth and education of Florida’s youths by promoting diversity and excellence in Florida’s classrooms. For more information, please visit our website at www.ffmt.org.

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About Florida Fund for Minority Teachers, Inc.

FFMT is a non-profit Florida corporation with 501(c)(3) status. It was established in 1996 as a means of increasing the number of minority teachers in the State of Florida to better reflect the diversity of the state’s population. FFMT administers the Minority Teacher Education Scholarship to juniors and seniors enrolled in state approved teacher education programs at numerous colleges and universities across the state. The award offers $4,000 a year ($2,000 per semester) to qualified minority students, and requires that upon graduation, each scholar teach in a Florida public school for the same number of years that they received the scholarship.

Since its inception in 1996, FFMT has had over 3,500 scholars come through its program. Of this amount, it has been verified that 76% have either taught or are currently teaching in a Florida public school. Currently, FFMT has over 500 scholars and is expecting to increase this number throughout the year. Considering its longevity and success, FFMT could very well be Florida answer to diversity in education!

About Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurants provide a friendly home-away-from-home in their old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage…all at a fair price. The restaurant serves up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n’ dumplins as well as its signature biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.  was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 588 company-owned locations in 41 states. Every Cracker Barrel unit is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. For more information, visit: crackerbarrel.com.

Media Contact(s):
Dr. Michael V. Bowie
Executive Director
Florida Fund for Minority Teachers, Inc.
Phone: (352) 273-4367
director@ffmt.org

Julie Davis
Director; Corporate Communications
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Phone: (615) 443-9266
jdavis@crackerbarrel.com

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FFMT is a Florida nonprofit that issues the Minority Teacher Education Scholarship to college juniors and seniors enrolled in state approved teacher education programs across Florida. Its mission is to increase the number of Florida's minority teachers.