Pictured: The Whitford/Winkler Family. Sheila Whitford, second from left, back row.
The Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies is honored to announce a new endowment gift for our Center for Education. Sheila D. Whitford, instructor and field supervisor at the Center, has generously established the Whitford/Winkler Family Endowed Scholarship.
The Whitford/Winkler Family Endowed Scholarship will provide need-based financial aid to students enrolled in Rice’s teacher and/or principal certification programs, including the Master of Arts in Teaching program. Preference will be given to students who currently or intend to teach in high-need schools, and/or are underrepresented minority students.
Sheila is a retired educator from Furr High School in Houston ISD where she served as a literacy coach, school improvement facilitator, and English teacher. She holds a BA in English and history from Texas Women’s University and her MBA from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. For the last 8 years, Sheila has served as faculty in the Glasscock School’s education programs, now part of the Center for Education. Additionally, Sheila has brought her wealth of knowledge and experience to work on the development of innovative new courses, field supervision, academic program changes, admissions, program evaluation, and compliance. Sheila is a valued member of the educator preparation leadership team and a faculty favorite among students.
“Any success of the Glasscock School can always, in some way, be traced back to our staff and instructors,” said Dr. Robert Bruce, dean of the Glasscock School. “The passion and drive they bring fuels our students’ success, and Sheila exemplifies this in her service here. This endowed scholarship represents that dedication to her students, to education, and to her sincere belief in the promise and potential of all people. The Glasscock School has already been fortunate to have the gift of Sheila’s service, and this is one more of many ways that she has made this place so special.”
Sheila’s desire to establish this scholarship is an extension of a life of educational service between her and her wife, Anne Winkler; Anne spent 42 years teaching and counseling and Sheila spent over 30 years teaching in high-needs schools - both with the Houston Independent School District. Anne passed away in 2019. As Unitarian Universalists, their faith asserts that all people deserve equal opportunity and belonging. Anne and Sheila hold that each individual merits chance after chance to succeed and have confidence that they are somebody regardless of what they bring to this world. Putting their faith into action, they raised their children to believe in the worth and dignity of all people. It is a natural continuation of their life’s work that Sheila established this endowment to support training of teachers and principals from the communities where they served in the hope that these educators will carry forward the beliefs of equity and inclusion for all children as well.
Through programs like those of the Center for Education, the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies is committed to making a meaningful, future-altering impact in the greater Houston area. Meaningful change requires us all. We invite you to explore how your support can enable the Glasscock School to provide even more life-changing experiences and bring even greater impact to Houston and beyond. For more information, please contact our Director of Development Courtney Tardy at ctardy@rice.edu or 713-348-4881.