Lee University has established the Aspiring Educator of the Year Scholarship, a new award recognizing outstanding local high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in education and continue their academic journeys at Lee.

Beginning this year, Lee will award a one-time $1,000 scholarship annually to one graduating senior from the Teaching as a Profession program at Cleveland High School and one graduating senior selected from the combined TAP programs at Bradley Central High School and Walker Valley High School.

The scholarship grew out of Lee's ongoing partnerships with local TAP programs, which provide high school students with opportunities to explore careers in education through coursework and classroom experiences.

"The teaching profession begins long before a student steps into a college classroom," said Dr. Shane Brown, director of teacher education at Lee. "Our local TAP programs are doing an outstanding job identifying and preparing future educators, and this scholarship allows us to recognize those students while encouraging them to continue developing their gifts. Investing in aspiring teachers is an investment in the future of our schools and communities."

Makayla Broome, a 2026 graduate of Bradley Central High School, is the inaugural recipient of the scholarship. Ms. Broome, who plans to enroll at Lee this fall as an elementary education major, was selected as the Aspiring Educator of the Year through Bradley Central's TAP program.

"Makayla is exactly the kind of student this scholarship was created to recognize," said Micaleah Parker, director of undergraduate admissions at Lee. "She has shown a genuine passion for serving others and a desire to make a difference in the lives of students. It has been exciting to watch her grow as a leader and see the commitment she already has to becoming an educator. We are thrilled to welcome her to Lee and support her as she begins this next chapter."

For Ms. Broome, the scholarship provides encouragement as she takes the next steps toward teaching.

"Being selected as the first recipient of this scholarship is such an incredible honor," said Ms. Broome. "It means so much to know that others believe in me and are willing to invest in my future. This scholarship will help make my dream of becoming a teacher possible, and it shows me that hard work really does pay off."

Ms. Broome said her passion for education comes from her love of working with children and helping others learn.

"Teachers do so much more than teach academics," Ms. Broome said. "They encourage, support, and inspire their students every day. I want to be the kind of teacher who creates a safe classroom where every child feels valued, confident, and excited to learn."

A salutatorian graduate of Bradley Central High School, Ms. Broome was also recognized as a Bear Scholar and was a member of the Bearette basketball team, which won three consecutive state championships. She was involved in Educators Rising, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Student Council and Link Crew.

"We are excited to recognize students who have already demonstrated a passion for education and a heart for teaching," said Dr. Bill Estes, dean of the Helen DeVos College of Education at Lee. "This scholarship reflects the importance of investing in future educators and the strong partnerships we have with local schools. We look forward to continuing to encourage students as they pursue their calling to the teaching profession."

Lee's Helen DeVos College of Education prepares future educators through classroom instruction, extensive field experiences, and partnerships with school systems across the region.

For more information, visit leeuniversity.edu/academics/education.