Who Can Apply:
- Kathy Small was a lifelong educator in the San Jose area, where she was born and raised.
- After many years teaching preschool, she returned to her alma mater (San Jose State) in the late 1980s to earn her multi-subject teaching credential, one night class at a time, and ultimately finished in 1994. She spent another 25 years teaching kindergarten through second grade, including 10 years with the San Jose Unified School District at Williams Elementary School. Even after retiring from teaching full time, she continued to substitute and work part time until the COVID-19 pandemic. She passed away in 2023 and is dearly missed, but her influence continues to be felt through her family, friends, colleagues, and former students.
- This scholarship aims to honor Kathy’s legacy by supporting students who share her love for education. Any undergraduate or graduate student in Northern California who is pursuing a degree or credential in education may apply for this scholarship, but special consideration may be given to applicants involved in education in the San Jose area, including graduates of local school districts and students at San Jose State University or other local colleges.
Submission: To apply, tell us why you’re pursuing a career in education and if there is someone who inspired you to do so.
Deadline: May 2, 2026
Amount: $500
Learn More: https://bold.org/scholarships/kathleen-l-small-teaching-scholarship/
