Austin ISD students who want to make a career helping young students now have a new scholarship.

The Austin Ed Fund announced Friday morning that its Jacquie Porter Memorial Fund will be used to establish a scholarship for Austin ISD high school students who want a career in early childhood education.

“In 2020, our community lost a beloved educator and a true early childhood champion in Austin ISD, Jacquie Porter,” said Michelle Wallis, executive director of the Austin Ed Fund. “To honor and commemorate her legacy, we have established a scholarship in her name.” 

The fund started after the Austin Ed Fund along with the Tapestry Foundation, Buena Vista Foundation, MAYA Consulting, and Jacquie’s family, began a fundraising campaign earlier this year to establish the scholarship. 

To date, it has almost reached its goal of $100,000 with more than $75,000 raised. Donate on the Austin Ed Fund website to have your donations matched by Austin-area family foundations and longtime early learning supporters, the Tapestry and Buena Vista Foundations.

The Jacquie Porter Scholarship will launch in the spring of 2022. The scholarship is open to any Austin ISD senior who has an interest in pursuing a career in early childhood and who will attend a community college, two-year or four-year college, or university in the fall. 

Preference will be given to first-generation college students. Additional information on the scholarship and when applications will open will be announced at a later date.

Jacquie Porter was a classroom teacher for many years, served as the Director of Early Childhood at Austin ISD for over 9 years, and most recently, served as the Director of Early Childhood Education at the Texas Education Agency.

"Those of you who are in the front lines, those of you whose shoulders everyone stands on, thank you for your stewardship and for your time," Wes Porter, Jacquie Porter's husband said. "That is why I am very thankful for this scholarship and all the efforts that will go on to honor Jacquie that are specifically for those little kids that we love, those young learners that we want to challenge."

To learn more about Austin Ed Fund and receive updates on the Jacquie Porter Scholarship, visit www.austinedfund.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.