Funding innovative teaching strategies and tools in the classroom
The American teaching profession is in crisis with an unprecedented rate of dissatisfaction and attrition. To do their jobs effectively and sustainably, teachers need more (and better) resources, many of which involve the use of technology inside and outside the classroom.
Results from two independent surveys of teachers nationwide* were exactly the same—nearly 80% of teachers in K–12 schools want to use technology in their instruction. Yet only 10% of them feel they have sufficient training in how to use tech tools in effective, meaningful ways.
Since 2016, FoS has awarded more than $400,000 in Innovative Educator Prizes to teachers nationwide, providing many innovative practices. As budget challenges across schools and districts compete with educators’ ability to bring their ideas to life, FoS aims to grow the program in 2022 and beyond to ensure that more teachers can access funds to implement programs, tools, and practices that increase achievement for every student.
Through this program, we are able to capture some of the powerful best practices and share these strategies with the community at large. In keeping the voices and experiences of the educators in the foreground of conversations about system-wide changes to educational policies and practice, we can help ensure decisions are well-informed and aligned to a collective vision for individual student success.
“I invested in utilizing Canvas instead of Google Classroom as a pilot of this new form of teaching. I created modules that contained lessons each with an instructional video, assignment, and mastery check. Thus far, with virtual learning, students have reported that they like the consistent design and ability to work at their own pace. They also enjoy the targeted feedback provided on assignments before taking mastery checks. On a survey provided to students at the end of the first semester, 88% of the students would recommend the class using the current structure.”
–Theresa Bruce, 2019 Teacher Grant Winner
Increasing teachers’ access to tools and training offers game-changing benefits for students and schools:
GOAL
$575,000 to award 50 grants to 50 educators in 50 different states and create a playbook of best/next practices available to all teachers nationwide.
Teachers are recognized, honored, and highlighted as dedicated, mission-driven experts who rise to the occasion, despite challenges, and meet the needs of our children. This boosts their morale and motivation, has a positive direct impact on their students, and indirectly impacts those in proximity.
Students can get streamlined, real-time access to new tools and programs that enhance their learning and the myth that transformation is a long, arduous process is dispelled.
With more tools at their disposal, teachers are better able to target students’ individual needs and personalize their learning.
Schools can immediately and directly increase equity and access once an opportunity is identified.
Funding helps alleviate the challenges that often delay or prevent innovation which in turn mitigates the frustration families, students, and schools feel about their learning and instructional efforts.
A playbook of best and next practices is created, giving additional schools and educators nationwide the opportunity to learn about novel, high-impact approaches that may also work for their students.
Application Process & Timeline
THE APPLICATION PORTAL IS NOW CLOSED.
Get notified when we start accepting submissions for our 2023 Innovative Educator Prizes:
We partner with Scholarship America who manages the application process. Applicants must meet the program’s eligibility requirements and submit the appropriate documents by the deadline. Proposals are accepted for 6-8 weeks in the spring (March-May). The application review takes one month (May-June) and grant recipients are notified by Scholarship America in mid-July once the FoS board approves the recipient list.
AWARD
We accept 150 applications with the potential to award up to 20 one-time grants of up to $10,000 to winning proposals. All grants will be made payable to the applicant’s school and may be used for technology, professional development, curriculum, and related materials. Awarded projects will be documented and their results and experience will be shared with education leaders working to scale new opportunities for schools and students.
ELIGIBILITY
IEP is designed to recognize and reward teachers and counselors who have demonstrated excellence in education in targeted areas in the blended and online setting. We seek to fund programs that support our mission and vision exemplifying how the use of technology is a catalyst for innovation in the classroom.
The IEP does not exclusively fund requests for ‘technology in the classroom’, unless the proposal has an extremely compelling implementation plan associated with it.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Educational innovators are required to submit proposals about what they have done in the field to make a difference with their students and in their classrooms and their plans for utilizing different mediums and modes of digital tools. Per the FoS Board, the IEP gives preferential consideration for proposals that seek to provide personalized learning support in the following areas:
Reading strategies
Math interventions
ELL/ELA
Special Education
*Price Waterhouse Coopers, 2018; Future of School, 2020