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

Maryanne Smith

• President@lamath.org

Contact me…

THANK YOU!

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