|
 The
fully online, nonprofit university is pledging up to $100,000 in
grant money across four states for K-12 teachers who have innovative
ideas that will further engage their students but need funding to
help bring these ideas to life. Teachers can submit their proposed
projects online at wgu.edu/fundmyclassroom through April 14.
Selected classroom projects will be announced during Teacher
Appreciation Week, which runs May 8-12.
K-12 educators can request funding for any type of uniquely creative
classroom project they believe would provide an enriching classroom
experience for their students – from books, supplies and equipment
or technology, to classroom experiences and field trips. To be
considered, proposed projects must include a description detailing
how much funding is needed and how the proposed project will benefit
students. Both public and private school teachers are encouraged to
submit applications. Teachers do not have to be WGU students or
alumni to apply.
“When it
comes to expanding classroom curriculum and employing
state-of-the-art techniques to engage and challenge students, K-12
teachers are often limited by the costs associated with providing
impactful educational learning,” said Dr. Terrance Hopson, Regional
Vice President of Western Governors University. “That’s why we are
proud to once again offer ‘Fund My Classroom’ as a way to help make
a difference in classrooms across the state and show appreciation
for our teachers, who work tirelessly to educate young minds. We
hope to be able to fund dozens of innovative projects that will play
a role in setting up our children for success later in life.”
This is the fifth consecutive year WGU is making the “Fund My
Classroom” initiative available for teachers in the Midwest. The
program began in Missouri in 2019 and expanded in 2021 to include
Illinois and Kansas. Last year, the university awarded more than
$58,000 in grant funding toward 85 classroom projects across the
three states. In 2023, the program is expanding to include
Minnesota.
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Some of the classroom projects in
Illinois that were funded last year through WGU’s “Fund My
Classroom” initiative included: an HP inkjet printer, service
agreement, and supplies to assist running a classroom business
at Proviso East High School in Maywood; materials to create a
calming classroom environment to meet students’ growing needs in
emotional learning at Highland Primary School in Highland;
makerspace materials for fourth-grade students at Mary Morgan
Elementary School in Byron; science kits for Nauvoo-Colusa Jr.
High School in Nauvoo; graphic novels for Lincoln Community High
School in Lincoln, wireless Go Direct® Temperature Probes for
Joliet Central High School in Joliet, and a “Little Free
Library” at McKinley Elementary School in Bellwood.
Anyone interested in nominating themselves,
colleagues, family or friends can fill out the short application
available at wgu.edu/
fundmyclassroom. Nominees must reside in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas
or Minnesota.
About WGU
Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand
access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online,
nonprofit WGU now serves more than 140,000 students nationwide and
has more than 300,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation
as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been
recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and
students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just
25 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing
the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce
needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named
one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been
featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times.
Learn more at wgu.edu.
[Merisa Ashbaugh
Senior Account Executive
The Hauser Group, Inc.] |
