Highline Future Teachers Kelly Linderman Scholarship

The purpose of the scholarship is to create opportunities for outstanding graduates of Highline Academy who plan to pursue a career in teaching and/or education broadly. The scholarship was created in honor of Kelly Linderman, whose passion for education impacted many students.

Eligibility

  • Graduated from Highline Academy Charter School
  • Earned a cumulative 3.0 GPA in high school
  • Interest in pursuing a career in teaching and/or education broadly, including but not limited to education administration or social work within a school setting.
  • Planning to enroll at an accredited, not-for-profit, 2- or 4-year college or university in the United States

Selection

Scholarships will be awarded once a year through a competitive process based on: 

  • academic achievement 
  • embodiment of Highline Academy’s core values (responsibility, empowerment, aspiration, citizenship, and honesty) in their personal and academic life 
  • professional interest 
  • character reference 

Preference will be given to applicants pursuing a career in teaching. Demonstration of financial need will be considered in applicant evaluation. 

Additional information

Awards can be used for tuition and fees. All scholarships will be paid directly to a recipient’s school and can be used for the upcoming academic year or deferred for up to one year. Award disbursement is contingent upon the outside scholarship policies of a recipient’s college or university.

To learn more about past recipients, click here. 

How to apply 

  1. Read through the eligibility to confirm you meet the requirements for the scholarship opportunity 
  2. Prepare and submit the following items: 
    1. Resume 
    2. Transcript 
    3. Two to three essays 
      1. Describe how you embody the core values of Highline Academy (Responsibility, Empowerment, Aspiration, Citizenship, and Honesty) in your personal and academic life. For more information on Highline Academy’s core values, click here. 
      2. Highline Academy and Kelly Linderman shared a vision to create inclusive excellence in public education. Please share your vision for your career and detail what inspires it. 
    4. One community reference
Highline Future Teachers Kelly Linderman Scholarship Scaled Aspect Ratio 1 1

At a Glance

  • Status: Closed
  • Opening Date: December 2, 2024
  • Closing Date: February 28, 2025
  • Typical Scholarship Range: $2,000-$3,000

Application

Our online portal allows applicants to save and edit their work as well as apply for multiple scholarship opportunities. Click the Apply button below to register on The Denver Foundation’s Scholarship application manager to complete your online application. For support using our online system please email help@denverfoundation.org.

Apply

Contact Jack Czarniecki at jczarniecki@denverfoundation.org.

Kelly Linderman 1

About the donor

Kelly Linderman steadfastly believed that education is the great equalizer in life. Kelly began her teaching career in 1995 as a kindergarten teacher in a private school in Maryland. She loved her work but felt she could make a more important contribution by teaching students more in need. She moved to northern Virginia where she took a pay cut and worked longer hours to teach first grade in a more diverse public school. She was devoted to the academic success of her students and took every opportunity to learn the latest research-based practices.

She was a beloved educator not only because of her warmth and humor, but because she truly believed in each and every child she met. She wanted and expected the best from them. Strong character, work ethic, and passion for learning are traits Kelly exemplified and fostered and which mirror Highline Academy’s mission and values. She would have loved being a teacher at Highline, where the community of students and adults strive together each and every day for excellence, not only in academics, but also in civic and personal responsibilities. 

Kelly was drawn to teaching from her earliest days, successfully practicing on her unsuspecting younger brother. There was never a doubt where her career path was headed. Her life was filled with helping others and her cancer diagnosis never slowed her down or deterred her. Her final thoughts were of her brother, for whom she videotaped herself reading her favorite children’s books for his yet-to-be-born children. 

Her family and friends are pleased to establish this scholarship in her honor. The hope is that it will help Highline students begin a career that is as rewarding and meaningful as Kelly’s was.