Funding Sources for Teachers

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Funding Sources for Teachers Helping Teachers Find Funds for Classroom Projects Maryanne W. Smith, NBCT

Show me the money!

• You want to implement technology and hands-on activities in your classroom, but how can you pay for it?

What options do I have? Types of sources

• • • •

Awards Grants Proposals Scholarships

Important terms: • Award: a recognition; may have a “grantlike” component • Grant: funds to support a specific project • Proposal: a written document (a request) submitted to an agency to obtain a grant • Scholarship: funds to participate in professional development

Request For Proposal…

• RFP- The official notice that describes the guidelines for a grant and (should) contains everything you need to know! • This is often sent out by large organizations.

What is the process?

• • • •

Start early Know your options Explore your needs Gather information

Where might I find funding?

Grants and Awards Funding Sources

 ING Unsung Heroes Award  Donor’s Choose  Adopt a Classroom  Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching  Lowe’s Toolbox for Education  QSM (Quality Science and Mathematics) Grant  Funds for Teachers  Local opportunities: Brown Foundation Grant and Capital One  NCTM  NSTA

Any Sources to Share? • Have you had success finding funding elsewhere? • Would you be willing to share? Will need to keep our discussion to no more than five minutes….

Voya Unsung Heroes Awards Program $ 2,000 up to $ 25,000 end of April each year

All awards must be used to further the projects within the school or school system. Each of the 100 finalists will receive an award of $2,000. At least one award will be granted in each of the 50 United States, provided one or more qualified applications are received from each state. Of the 100 finalists, three will be selected for additional financial awards. First place will receive $25,000; second place will receive $10,000, and the third place winner will receive $5,000.

https://unsungheroes.scholarshipamerica.org

Donor’s Choose http://www.donorschoose.org/

DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America post classroom project requests on our site, and donors can give any amount to the project that most inspires them.

Adopt a Classroom http://www.adoptaclassroom.org/?gclid=CJfPnqHL07wCFUxp7AodeTcAfw

AdoptAClassroom.org partners donors with teachers so you can have funds to purchase critical resources and materials for your classroom. When adopted, you will have full discretion to purchase items that meet your unique classroom needs.

Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching https://www.paemst.org/ The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the nation's highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science). Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.

Includes a week in Washington, D.C., as a “guest” of the White House. Includes a $10,000 monetary award. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation

Lowe’s Toolbox for Education http://toolboxforeducation.com/index.html Lowe's will donate up to $5 million to public schools and public school parent teacher groups - at as many as 1,000 different public schools per school year. Raise up to $5,000 for your school in minutes. Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation (LCEF) knows how hard you work for your kids and your community and we're dedicated to helping your parent-teacher group achieve even more for your school. Apply for our Toolbox for Education Grant now and build on your already impressive parent group success with Lowe's. Spring and Fall cycles…. Next is August 1 to September 26, 2016

QSM Grant Quality Science and Mathematics Grants for approved materials and equipment will be awarded on a competitive basis to individual classroom teachers to use in providing standards-based instruction to help meet state accountability goals. Applicants must show that their proposals will enhance the quality of instruction for regular education students who are enrolled in mathematics or science classes. Only full-time classroom teachers assigned to teach mathematics or science in the K-12 regular education program in public schools are eligible to submit proposals. Maximum award: $750. The QSM grant funds must be used for the purchase of non-consumable instructional equipment and/or materials/education technology (does not include furniture, TV/utility carts, computer desks, etc.). http://www.seasystem.net/cgi-bin/qsm/

Late summer to around Labor Day

Fund for Teachers http://www.fundforteachers.org/

Fund for Teachers supports educators' efforts to develop skills, knowledge and confidence that impact student achievement. By trusting teachers to design unique fellowships, Fund for Teachers grants validate teachers' professionalism and leadership, as well. Since 2001, Fund for Teachers has invested $20 million in more than 5,500 teachers, transforming grants into growth for teachers and their students.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics The Mathematics Education Trust: Grants Scholarships and Awards

Supporting Teachers ... Reaching Students ... Building Futures Mission: The Mathematics Education Trust (MET) channels the generosity of contributors through the creation and funding of grants, awards, honors, and other projects that support the improvement of mathematics teaching and learning. See the listings of current Grants, Scholarships, and Awards for Pre-K-5 6-8 9-12 and more

http://www.nctm.org/resources/content.aspx?id=198#grants

National Science Teachers’ Association NSTA Awards and Recognition •Angela Award •Distinguished Informal Science Education Awards •Distinguished Service to Science Education Awards •Distinguished Teaching Awards •DuPont Pioneer Excellence in Agricultural Science Education Award •Faraday Science Communicator Award •Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Teachers •Ron Mardigian Memorial Biotechnology Explorer Award •Northrop Grumman Foundation Excellence in Engineering Education Award •NSTA Fellow Award •NSTA Legacy Award •PASCO STEM Educator Awards •Robert E. Yager Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award •Robert H. Carleton Award •SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Outstanding Environmental Educator of the Year •Shell Science Teaching Award •Shell Urban Science Educators Development Award •Sylvia Shugrue Award for Elementary School Teachers •Vernier Technology Awards •Wendell G. Mohling Outstanding Aerospace Educator Award

http://www.nsta.org/about/awards.aspx

Brown Foundation Service Learning Program http://www.thebrownfoundation.org/service-learning/award-application.html • All funded plans have two components- a school and a service partner • Awards are non-competitive and may submit more than one application • Due in spring for following school year—deadline March 31, 2014 • Workshops assist teachers in the process. • Awards given in fall at Service Learning Event- Administrators $1,000

Capital One Bank Creative + Curriculum + Challenge

Once a year, Capital One offers a grant to classroom teachers/schools who have programs for financial literacy. There are three awards: $500, $2000, and $4000. Online application.

How to get started?

Do and Don’t • You do write a grant for a project that will enhance writing abilities of your students. – Of course, you will need a computer and a camera to carry out the project.

• You don’t write a grant for a digital camera or for a computer.

Plagiarism definition

• noun

• The practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own.

DON’T DO IT!

Bits of Wisdom and the Three S’s for a successful endeavor

• • • • • •

Read others’ grants/awards Become a Reviewer Have a “Hook” Solid Idea Simple Plan Support

Professionalism and Training

• Membership in Professional Organizations is important, especially subject specific • If asking for Technology, be able to verify your knowledge and/or training • Professional Development Activities demonstrate your commitment to and value of your own learning

Writing With the Reader in Mind • • • •

Think like the Reviewer Write concisely Junk the Jargon Awards are written in first person; for grants use “the project director” or “the applicant” • Use Spell Check and Grammar Check

The Writing Process

• • • • • •

Plan well and hope for the best Network; seek help Align with the Standards Goals: measurable and realistic Make multi-discipline or cross-curricular Tie-in technology

More Writing

• Your success depends upon your ability to communicate the need for and the quality of your program. • Ideas should be innovative, creative and educational.

First Things First . . . How do I start?

• Identify a need in your classroom • Identify appropriate Standards that should be addressed CCSS, National Science Standards, etc. • Identify materials, activities, and resources that may be needed to help you meet the needs and/or teach the Standards

Come up With a Plan Find appropriate funding source

• Match the funding to your need(s) • Print out a copy of the RFP • Study it carefully- highlight important parts and make notes

Parts of a Grant Components often found:

• • • • • • •

Statement of Need/Rationale Plan of Operation/Description Goals and Objectives Budget Timeline Target Audience/Students Impacted Evaluation/Assessment

Begin to Plan • Thing(s) you need for your classroom:

• Why you need it:

•1)

•1)

•2)

•2)

•3)

•3)

•4)

•4)

•5)

•5)

Let’s Do It Together • As we explore each component, jot down ideas for your grant, here…. • Paper is provided for notes…. • We need to first come up with an idea: ___ To move on, you will see me hold up my hand, please cease discussions.

Statement of Need









This section should contain the strongest language of the proposal Use hard-hitting language with an emotional appeal (bring tears to the eyes of the reader but don’t make them throw up!) Use documentation to verify the need; charts, graphs, survey results, anecdotal info, etc. Touch all points May be called “Rationale”

Need or Rationale









Clearly state your need, being as specific as possible Make sure your need matches the grant purpose Provide local data supporting your need A brief description of your school and its environment is helpful

Rationale 

This proposed grant addresses the fact that my students scored lowest on the mathematics measurement strand on ??? test. During an informal survey, I discovered that they have had very little practice in actual usage of measurement tools like yardsticks, rulers, measuring cups, graduated cylinders, etc.

Rationale Continues 

The educational significance of this problem is that students need a purpose for learning. By having them collect authentic measurement information, they feel ownership in the learning process and synthesize the information more efficiently.

Possible Projects What project can I create to fit my needs…

•1) •2)

•3) •4)

•5)

Plan of Operation





Provide an overview of the activities and strategies that will be a part of the project Include key personnel and commitment from any partners May be called “Description”

Overview- Description  

Briefly describe your project:

Student measurement centers will be created for students to use daily. Each station will focus on a different type of measurement- volume, linear, metric, English, etc. Students will work through each station in a two-week period. The activities will be modified at the end of the two-week period.

More on Description



The project will involve gathering appropriate activities correlated to the 5th grade CCSSM and state science standards …. The measurement materials will be used to…



These measurement tools will address …



(focus on the content) (focus on the content)

Goals





Goal: a broad, clear statement that describes where you want to be at the end of the project (often the goal is not met!) Make sure correlated to student’s needs, problems, or learning.

Sample Goal #1???

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State the Goal of your project:

My goal is to get an Elmo to project the math work on the wall so all students can follow along.

Sample Goal- 2??? 



State the Goal of your project:

The students need math manipulatives so that they can have fun while they are learning math. We don’t have the materials needed to develop CCSSM

Objectives





Objective: a measurable result; more narrowly defined than a goal. The “good” things you want to see happen as a result of the project Should be specific, measurable, and attainable during the time frame of the grant

Budget 

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Make sure reasonable and detailed with no surprises Do your homework on costs Be prepared to explain, even if not asked Don’t under-budget the amount, but don’t pad the budget, either.

Timeline







Some grants want this separate; others want this included in the description. If it’s the description, a chart is most helpful. Make sure your timeline is in line with your description. Be careful not to box yourself into a specific date.

Impact or Who Will Benefit







State numbers that will be reached by this program. . How will students and teachers benefit in the long run? What will happen to the project once the funding is gone?

Evaluation







Evaluation is of the proposal or project, not the kids. Connect the evaluation to the goals of your project. (It’s O.K. not to be successful.) Evaluation plans might be performancebased.

Evaluation/Assessment 

Assessment is an on-going process that is both formal and informal. One set of formal assessments of this project will be the implementation of a measurement pretest/post test directly aligned with the CCSS for this grade level. …

Evaluation- Informal



Informally, I will observe the students as they work through each of the centers and record my observations on a teacher created checklist. …

More on Evaluation





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Give method (rubric, checklist, pre- post-), but explain how it will be developed and used. Sometimes, evaluating the process used is appropriate. Did it work the way planned? What parts were successful?- Which were not?

Scoring Rubric Example Think About It . . . Topics:

Rubric Value:

• • • • • • • • •

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Students served Overview Rationale Description Evaluation/Assess Qualification Budget Narrative Itemized Budget Overall quality

2 parts; 6 points (3) 2 parts; 6 points (3) 3 parts; 15 points (5) 5 parts; 25 points (5) 3 parts; 15 points (5) 2 parts; 10 points (5) 2 parts; 10 points (5) 2 parts; 10 points (5) 1 part; 5 points (5)

In Summary

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Follow directions and timelines . Provide all required information. Meet the criteria. Answer all parts of questions Pay close attention to rubric values and answer accordingly • Spelling, grammar, and proofreading are important.

Common mistakes made …

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Not following directions. Late arrival. (Sometimes there are two due dates.) Not providing all required information. Not meeting the criteria.

Words of Wisdom



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“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” “Practice makes perfect.” Everyone likes getting a thank-you note. Send one whether or not you are funded.

Ten Tips for Successful Writing 1. Start with a good idea. 2. Match your proposal to the intent of the grant you are seeking. 3. Observe technical guidelines. 4. Respond to all sections of the proposal guidelines in order. 5. Build on recognized, applicable, curriculum standards and knowledge of good pedagogy.

6. Collaborate! 7. Strive for clarity and correctness of expression. 8. Emphasize the benefits to students. 9. Describe long-term implications. 10. Be specific

Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics (LATM) • Find us on the web at: www.lamath.org • LIKE us on Facebook @ Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics- LATM

• Teacher Awards • Teacher Travel Grants • Professional Development Opportunities • Annual ConferenceJoint w/ LSTA in Baton Rouge Oct. 2426, 2016

Contact me…

Maryanne Smith • [email protected]

THANK YOU!

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