Appreciating Teachers With Checks, Not Tchotchkes

Fund for Teachers hands teachers checks totaling $1.8 million for self-designed summer fellowships

News provided by

May 05, 2015, 07:13 ET

HOUSTON, May 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A wooden apple necklace, "I love my teacher" coffee mug or $10,000? Fund for Teachers appreciates educators by distributing grants of up to $10,000 for self-designed summer fellowships. Over the past two weeks, 475 teachers in 35 states and the District of Columbia received checks and the message: "You're worth a $1.8 million investment and so are your students."

"Bridging the Gap" - A one-minute motion graphic video depicting how educators use Fund for Teachers grants to bridge learning gaps, inspire students and change the world.

Each fall, the national not-for-profit invites preK-12 public, private and parochial school educators to analyze learning gaps and propose unique solutions for bridging them. The 2015 Fund for Teachers Fellows designed odysseys ranging from a local dyslexia workshop to an archaeological dig in Ireland.

"This kind of professional development lets teachers grapple with big ideas and inject deeper learning into their classrooms," said Chris Dolgos (Rochester, NY) who will research across the United Kingdom public works projects from the Classical to Modern Eras.
"This fellowship gives me control over the type of professional development I want and need," said Michelle Rahn (Claremore, OK) who will participate in Science in the Rockies teacher training.
"The opportunity to conduct fieldwork in India is career-affirming because I'm able to incorporate international research and outside perspectives into student work while recharging my teaching," said Paul Creager, Saint Paul, MN.
"We're thrilled to not only broaden our own horizons studying Apartheid in South Africa, but, more importantly, to share these experiences with our students to enrich their educational journeys," said Karis Parker and Princeston Grayson (Raytown, MO).

A complete list of 2015 Fellows, their schools and fellowships is available on the organization's website.

"We believe teachers know best what they need to maintain a level of excellence," said Karen Webb, FFT executive director. "The self-initiated/self-designed nature of our fellowships contrasts with traditional professional development and our Fellows return to classrooms more energized, informed and effective."

Fund for Teachers is one of the largest funders of teacher learning in the country, investing $24 million in more than 6,500 teachers since 2001. For information about the application process, grant recipients or student outcomes, visit fundforteachers.org.

About Fund for Teachers
Fund for Teachers supports preK-12 teachers' pursuit of learning experiences that impact their practice, students and school communities. By awarding grants for self-designed fellowships, Fund for Teachers empowers educators as professionals, role models, explorers and scholars.

Video - http://youtu.be/mWFlG1hvZ0A

SOURCE Fund for Teachers