Most of us can look back on our school experience and identify at least one teacher who made a huge difference in our lives. He or she inspired, challenged or motivated us to stretch our minds, and strengthen our character.

Many say that the most important part of any successful school system is the teachers. But the demand for accountability through national standards, the need to assume non-classroom and social work duties and large budget cuts in many school districts have taxed educators’ ability to meet the day to day challenges of teaching in today’s public school. If teachers are not personally nurtured, inspired, and rewarded, the best and most promising teachers may go elsewhere or leave the profession. New talent is difficult to attract. Our children are the losers in the short term, our community in the long.

The Fund for Teachers (FFT) is a unique foundation whose mission is to enrich the lives of schoolteachers and students by providing outstanding teachers with recognition and opportunities for renewal. Making a difference one teacher at a time, FFT provides funds for direct grants to teachers to support summer learning opportunities of their own design. 2,004 Fellows in 47 states and Puerto Rico have received funding since 1998: for the summer of 2005, 481 teachers from 315 schools were awarded funding. FFT Fellows have participated in programs and traveled in 61 countries on 6 continents. Reflections from 2005 Fellows

In The United States there are programs and grants available in the areas of scholarships, family involvement, and tutoring and mentoring, student academic and cultural enrichment; however, there are few, if any, large scale national initiatives that address the professional growth and renewal of teachers. With private and non-profit sector funding, the Fund for Teachers bypasses district and union bureaucracies and adds value in the classroom without additional costs to schools or to the individual teacher.

Teacher testimonials as well as comments from supervisors and peers provide proof that the Fund for Teachers is achieving its goal of enriching teachers’ lives in ways which impact students on a daily basis. Many have absorbed or acquired in-depth experience, hands-on materials and information that can be used in the classroom over many years. Some find that simply being placed in a learning position once again helps them to better motivate their students to value learning, adventure and discovery.

For more information contact:
Fund for Teachers
800.681.2667
info@fundforteachers.org

Apply online or download applications at: http://www.fundforteachers.org/apply.html

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