Have you ever thought about becoming a teacher?
Seed Teachers, a new program by Tacoma Public Schools (TPS), Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) and Degrees of Change (DoC), offers Tacoma students a path to a debt-free degree, supportive cohort, and paid work experience through college—all leading to a high-impact job as a teacher in your home community.
By investing in diverse, talented, home-grown leaders, Seed Teachers is working for a more equitable public education system with teachers who reflect the students they serve.
Receive an exceptional scholarship package at PLU that meets your full financial need with no more than $5,000 in loan each year. Paired with a job at TPS where you earn more than you borrow, you can obtain your college degree and teacher certificate without student debt.
Get paid to work with students in Tacoma schools throughout your college experience. Each year, you'll gain more experience, discover your strengths, and develop your skills. You'll be ready to be a high-impact teacher where you make a difference for students every day.
Journey together with a cohort of 15-20 other TPS graduates. You'll meet together monthly for professional development as you build community and a shared mission. You'll also be supported by a dedicated DoC program director and mentors from TPS and PLU.
If you are a graduating TPS senior and Seed Teachers sounds exciting, get started now.
The first step is to complete this form to let us know you are interested in the program. Someone from PLU will follow-up with you within a couple days to help you apply to PLU (or confirm your admission status if you've already applied).
If you are admitted to PLU, we'll ask for some additional materials and invite you to an interview in early April. Selections will be announced in mid-April.
If you are a teacher who wants to nominate a student, visit nominate.seedteachers.org.
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PLU is the local, small, private university where everyone shares a bold commitment to expanding well-being, opportunity, and justice. Lutes aren’t afraid to do things unconventionally to leave the world better than they found it. Learn more at www.plu.edu/apply.
More FAQs coming soon...
Please review the capitalization of your legal first name. It is important that you enter your name using formal capitalization. If it is correct, you can continue.
Please review the capitalization of your preferred first name. It is important that you enter your name using formal capitalization. If it is correct, you can continue.
Please review the capitalization of your legal last name. It is important that you enter your name using formal capitalization. If it is correct, you can continue.
The most important next step in applying for Seed Teachers is to be admitted to PLU. Please tell us your current status. Once you submit this form, an admissions officer from PLU will follow-up with you. If you have not yet applied, they will help you get started. If you have applied or if you received an automatic admission offer, they will confirm your status.
Only students who will graduate from high school by summer 2023, or who previously graduated in 2021 or 2022 are eligible to apply for Seed Teachers this year. Unfortunately, you are not be eligible to apply.
Only students who will graduate from high school by summer 2023, or who previously graduated in 2021 or 2022 are eligible to apply for Seed Teachers this year. Complete the form and we will remind you when its time to apply at the start of your senior year.
Only students who will graduate from Tacoma Public Schools are eligible to apply for Seed Teachers this year. Unfortunately, you are not be eligible to apply.
Thank you for your interest in Seed Teachers.
The March 31, 2023 application deadline has passed and this interest form is closed.
The form will reopen again in the fall of 2023, ahead of the next application deadline in spring 2024.
