Teaching grants can fund professional development, classroom enrichment, school supplies, field trips and almost anything else that goes into bettering the quality of education.

Fund for Teachers awards grants for professional development based on the principle that the teacher is the one who knows what they need to grow as an educator. These grants are self-designed and allow teachers to create their own professional development opportunity based on what is most beneficial to their teaching in their own opinions. The application encourages educators to think about their objectives, motivations and the impact their particular plan of action will have on students.

What the grant is for:

FFT grants are used for an unlimited variety of projects; all designed to create enhanced learning environments for teachers, their students and their school communities. We believe that supporting teachers' active participation in their own professional growth, positively impacts student learning and achievement.

Who can apply/requirements:

•                Employed full-time as a PreK-12th grade teacher and spends at least 50% of their work week in direct instruction with students in a classroom or classroom-like setting;

•                Intends to continue teaching in the consecutive school year; and has at least three years teaching experience as a PreK-12th grade teacher.

Individuals may apply for up to $5,000 and teams may apply for up to $10,000 (while team members may be from different schools, districts or states, all members must meet the eligibility criteria). Upon award, Fellows will receive 90 percent of their grant award, the remaining 10 percent to be reimbursed upon completion of post-fellowship requirements.

Previous recipients must wait for 3 years before reapplying. NOTICE: Effective October 1, 2015 a mandatory 5-year waiting period becomes policy.

Eligible teachers may submit one application per grant cycle. Proposals must be written by the person(s) participating in the fellowship.

Deadlines:

Fellowships should begin after the last day of school in the spring and be completed by the first day of school in the fall, with all fellowship related expenditures made by September 30, 2015.

Fund for Teachers. (n.d.).Retrieved June 13, 2015, from http://www.fundforteachers.org/apply/guidelines/washington/all-other-schools/index.php