HOUSTON, Sept. 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "A defibrillator for the educator"; "A reminder that there is still a student within me;" and, "By far, the best learning experience of my life" describe three of more than 500 self-designed fellowships teachers experienced this summer with Fund for Teachers grants. PreK-12 public and private school educators applied for the grants to pursue topics and/or destinations they identified as relevant to their practice and student success. Those awarded leveraged $5,000 individual grants and $10,000 team grants to learn in 151 countries and bring their learning back to school this fall.
Teachers (or Fellows) awarded grants represent 353 schools from all 50 states. The largest percentage of Fellows chose STEM-related learning and fellowships most often took place in the United States. A complete list of Fellows and their fellowship descriptions is available at www.fundforteachers.org.
"The most essential component in any classroom is the teacher; students' grasp of knowledge and perception of issues lie largely in their hands," said Karen Webb, Fund for Teachers' executive director. "Fund for Teachers invests in these professionals, empowering them as learners who explore and experience to advance student achievement."
Since 2001, Fund for Teachers has invested more than $22 million in 6,000+ teachers who, in turn, transform their classrooms into laboratories where students process and put into practice their teachers' learning.
Fund for Teachers' 2015 grant application opens on October 1. For eligibility and more information, visit www.fundforteachers.org/apply.php, or the nonprofit organization's blog and Facebook page.
Fund for Teachers enriches the personal and professional growth of preK-12 educators by recognizing and supporting them as they identify and pursue opportunities around the world that have the greatest impact on their practice, students and school communities.