Mrs. Fields Education Scholarship

An endowed scholarship has been established to honor Mrs. Fields (Jan Fields), a former second grade teacher in the school district for 38 years.  Mrs. Fields was also a dedicated member of the Dickinson Public Schools Foundation, Inc..  A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a Dickinson High School senior that is pursuing a degree in education.  The first scholarship will be awarded the Spring of 2023 in her honor.

Janice Cram was raised in Bismarck having graduated from Bismarck High School.  She received her teaching certificate from Valley City State Teachers College and married Bill Fields.  She taught her first year in Firth, Nebraska while Bill was going to college.  They moved to Dickinson in 1965 and made Dickinson their home.  Mrs. Fields taught at PS Berg Elementary from 1965 through 1971.  In 1972 she began a 32-year career teaching second grade at Roosevelt Elementary.  She was awarded the Teacher of the Year Award in 1995.  Mrs. Fields developed unforgettable relationships with her students and their families.  Her second graders were all dressed in the same outfit for their classroom Halloween theme.  Some costume themes included: dalmations, skunks and more.  Every year she had a Manners lunch to teach manners.  Other memories include:  a sleepover in the school, dressing up in prom dresses at her house and attending the DHS prom and more.  When her students graduated, she invited them back to Roosevelt Elementary for a pizza party.  The stories go on and on.  She was often invited to attend their weddings, watch them play softball, etc.  She had a very positive impact on hundreds of lives and several students pursued a career in teaching because of her.

Mrs. Fields was a strong and loyal supporter and cheerleader for the Dickinson Public Schools.  She served on the Dickinson Public Schools Foundation, Inc. and volunteered at most of their events.  She was also a hostess in the Wrestling hospitality rooms and helped at cross country meets.  Mrs. Fields volunteered and served on many boards in Dickinson.  She passed away unexpectedly in 2019.

Eligible applicants are Dickinson High School seniors that are pursuing a degree in education/teaching.  Applicants must complete the application form and essay questions.  Applications are available from the DHS counselors.

The application deadline is April 1.  Applications should be turned in to the DHS counselor’s office.

The scholarship award will be awarded sometime in the spring.  The date and special event will be announced.