A new scholarship fund is now available to students enrolled in schools operated by the Alameda County Office of Education. The Steven L. Butler Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established in honor of Steve Butler, an ACOE teacher for two decades who was passionate about teaching students who face numerous challenges in their lives. Steve died suddenly in 2007 while training for a triathlon.

Steve typified the teacher who went beyond the call of duty for his students. For almost 20 years, he worked in the Alameda County Juvenile Hall and Community Schools program with the tough-to-teach students – those who were unable to succeed in a continuation school, let alone a traditional high school. His classroom was often the only thing standing between the students and incarceration. It was Steve who mounted a fund-raising drive to help one of his students, Donna, attend a state competition in Los Angeles. Donna won a top award in that competition and went on to earn a good living as a welder.

It is in dedication to Steve’s advocacy for teachers and students, his love of life and his competitive spirit that his colleagues from the Alameda County Teachers Association, California School Employees Association, ACOE and the California Teachers Association strive to build and sustain The Butler Fund for Alameda County Juvenile Court School students. The amount of the award varies, depending on the student’s need. It could go toward buying a book, professional suit for work, membership to a museum, attending a class, conference or workshop, or a myriad of other items and activities. It is the hope and desire of the Committee guiding The Butler Fund that the eclectic awards will do for prospective recipients what Steve’s personal efforts provided his students – knowing that no two students are alike and addressing their individual needs.

People wishing to make donations to the Steven L. Butler Memorial Scholarship Fund should make the check payable to the “ACOE Educational Partnerships Foundation” and designate the gift to the Butler Fund by writing “Steven L. Butler Scholarship Fund” on the memo line. Contributions are fully tax deductible (tax I.D. number: 91-2152166). One hundred percent of the money donated to the Fund is used for scholarships. Send checks to: ACOE Educational Partnerships Foundation, 313 West Winton Ave., Room 275, Hayward, CA 94544-1136. For questions regarding donations, please contact Steve Brooks at 510-670-4571 or send an e-mail to sbrooks@acoe.org.

For more information on the Steven L. Butler Memorial Scholarship Fund, and how to nominate a student:
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For a nomination form:
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For information on how to donate to the fund:
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