Teacher of the Year Awards Student Scholarship

Everyday outstanding teachers prepare high school students for college and a career. For Amanda Persico, a 2012 graduate of Madison Community High School, a teacher is also making sure her college education is paid for.

of Royal Oak, is one of only 54 educators across the country recognized by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) as a 2012 State Teacher of the Year. To recognize that accomplishment, the University of Phoenix provided him with the opportunity to give a student a full-tuition scholarship.

, Galbenski chose Persico to receive the scholarship.

“You can’t imagine how it feels to sit someone down and let them know their college education is taken care of,” said Galbenski. “I’ve been teaching for 21 years and this is one of the most exciting and gratifying things I have been able to do."

Persico had some struggles early in her academic career, but turned things around through hard work and dedication.

"It is an honor to award her with this scholarship," Galbenski said.

Early in her academic career, Persico fell in with the wrong crowd and began skipping school. She was able to get back on track and attended two years of the Business Management, Marketing & Technology program at the Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southeast in Royal Oak where she earned several information technology certifications.

“When I heard I was awarded the scholarship, I almost cried,” Persico said. “I’ve been working 40 hours a week and saving for school, and would have found a way, but this makes things so much easier. At the Oakland Schools Technical Campus, I was interested in computers, and I will continue to study systems security at University of Phoenix.”

Persico plans to get a bachelor’s degree in systems security, a field she believes is growing in demand and will provide excellent employment opportunities upon graduation. She hopes to work for the government, protecting computer systems from hackers and other cyber threats.

“For most teachers, changing a student’s path or opening a new door is the true reward of teaching,” said Jan Cardwell, vice president of University of Phoenix Detroit Campus. “The university provides the ‘Teaching it Forward’ scholarships to thank the Teachers of the Year for their dedication by giving them an opportunity to profoundly impact the life of another individual.”

Information provided by University of Phoenix.