Helping Teachers Find Funds for
Classroom Projects
Maryanne W. Smith, NBCT
Funding Sources for Teachers
• You want to implement technology and
hands-on activities in your classroom, but
how can you pay for it?
Show me the money!
• Awards
• Grants
• Proposals
• Scholarships
What options do I have?Types of sources
Important terms:
• Award: a recognition; may have a “grant-
like” 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
• 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.
Request For Proposal…
• Start early
• Know your options
• Explore your needs
• Gather information
What is the process?
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
• 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….
Any Sources to Share?
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
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.
Donor’s Choosehttp://www.donorschoose.org/
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.
Adopt a Classroomhttp://www.adoptaclassroom.org/?gclid=CJfPnqHL07wCFUxp7AodeTcAfw
Presidential Award for Excellence inMathematics and Science Teachinghttps://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
http://toolboxforeducation.com/index.html
Lowe’s Toolbox for Education
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 GrantQuality 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 Teachershttp://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
http://www.nctm.org/resources/content.aspx?id=198#grants
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
The Mathematics Education Trust: Grants Scholarships and Awards
•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
National Science Teachers’ Association
NSTA Awards and Recognition
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 BankCreative + 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?
• 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.
Do and Don’t
• noun
• The practice of taking someone else’s
work or ideas and passing them off as
one’s own.
DON’T DO IT!
Plagiarism
definition
• Read others’ grants/awards
• Become a Reviewer
• Have a “Hook”
• Solid Idea
• Simple Plan
• Support
Bits of Wisdom and the Three S’s for a
successful endeavor
• 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
Professionalism and Training
• 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
Writing With the Reader in Mind
• 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
The Writing Process
• Your success depends upon your ability to
communicate the need for and the quality
of your program.
• Ideas should be innovative, creative and
educational.
More Writing
• 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
First Things First . . .How do I start?
• Match the funding to your need(s)
• Print out a copy of the RFP
• Study it carefully- highlight important parts
and make notes
Come up With a PlanFind appropriate funding source
• Statement of Need/Rationale
• Plan of Operation/Description
• Goals and Objectives
• Budget
• Timeline
• Target Audience/Students Impacted
• Evaluation/Assessment
Parts of a Grant
Components often found:
Begin to Plan
• Thing(s) you need for
your classroom:•1)
•2)
•3)
•4)
•5)
• Why you need it:
•1)
•2)
•3)
•4)
•5)
• 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.
Let’s Do It Together
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”
Statement of Need
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
Need or Rationale
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.
•1)
•2)
•3)
•4)
•5)
Possible Projects
What project can I create to fit my needs…
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”
Plan of Operation
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… (focus on the content)
These measurement tools will address …(focus on the content)
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.
Goals
Sample Goal #1???
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
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
Objectives
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.
Budget
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.
Timeline
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?
Impact or Who Will Benefit
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 performance-
based.
Evaluation
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. …
Informally, I will observe the students as they work through each of the centers and record my observations on a teacher created checklist. …
Evaluation- Informal
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?
More on Evaluation
Scoring Rubric ExampleThink About It . . .
Topics:
• Students served
• Overview
• Rationale
• Description
• Evaluation/Assess
• Qualification
• Budget Narrative
• Itemized Budget
• Overall quality
Rubric Value:
• 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)
• 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.
In Summary
Common mistakes made …
Not following directions.
Late arrival. (Sometimes there are two due dates.)
Not providing all required information.
Not meeting the criteria.
“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.
Words of Wisdom
Ten Tips for Successful
Writing1. 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 Conference-
Joint w/ LSTA in
Baton Rouge Oct. 24-
26, 2016
THANK YOU!
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