Money, Money, Money: That's What I Want!
I think we can all agree that teaching is an underpaid profession. Most of us in the profession, however, are not in it for the money. By following our hearts, our heads, and our commitment to children, we knew there was no other path for us.
That being said-Is there ever enough money? Most of the classrooms, schools and communities that we serve do not have the basic (to technologically advanced) supplies that are necessary and would aid in engagement and advancements of our students.
Instead of emptying your wallets and depleting your paycheck continuously, take a look at grant opportunities. Grant writing might seem overwhelming. However, many of the grants available online are very simplistic in form (application); some are for specific areas of interest; specific lesson ideas; demonstrated area of need etc.
I have compiled a list of grant opportunities (small, but mighty) that you may want to take a look at. While not comprehensive in nature, they are varied in dollar amount and ease in application process.
You and your students have a grand enough task at hand-do not let limited supplies/funds be one of them!
*Kids in Need Foundation has corporate sponsors that support their grant efforts. Grant awards range from $100 to $500 and must be used to finance creative classroom projects. Typically, two hundred and three hundred grants are awarded each year.
*Fund for Teachers
These grants are available to all Chicago Public School Teachers.
*Hewlett-Packard Grants
The K-12 HP Technology for Teaching Grant Initiative is designed to support innovative and effective uses of technology in the classroom setting. sSome preference may be given to schools that serve a large number of low-income students, relative to district or state free and reduced price lunch percentages, and to projects that included integration of mathematics and/or science curriculum.
*Digital Wish Grants (from Olympus)
Bring your students together for a class project using Olympus digital cameras and Tool Factory's project-building software. It's easy to enter. Just submit a description of your intended project, and a budget.
Last but not least, the fan favorites: Donors Choose (where you upload your specific request with explanation of its benefits etc. online donors can choose to aid in funding your project); Teachers Pay Teachers (upload resources or lessons you have personally created for sale to other educators) and Teacher's Notebook (This site is basically the same concept as TPT- but offers other great free resources, as well.) Adopt-A-Classroom is also a great find.(This grant increases opportunity for student success by empowering teachers with community partners and funds to purchase resources for the classroom.)
Happy Hunting!
KGT, 2012
