Local Foundation Offers Grants to Pasadena Unified Teachers

The Pasadena Education Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2015-2016 Teacher Grant Program, an annual incentive that provides teachers throughout the Pasadena Unified School District with resources so they could take their creative projects from idea to reality.

The grant awards teachers with up to $1,000 in funding for them to be able to apply their ideas to enhance the classroom experience for their students.

To be considered for the Teacher Grant Program, projects should be student-centered, should be related to the curriculum and directly benefit students, and should enhance and improve student achievement.

The grants include the Jarrat Brunson Memorial Teacher Grant Award, named after the late PEF founder who initiated the Teacher Grant Program. It goes to the proposal that best reflects Brunson’s passion for reading and early literacy.

The Kathy Onoye Administrator’s Award honors the former Principal of Willard Elementary School who retired recently as Executive Director of Elementary Education for the PUSD, who has been an outstanding role model and mentor for principals. The award will go to the PUSD Administrator whose proposal best exemplifies their role in inspiring leadership.

This school year, the Calvin Hunt Arts Award will be given in memory of the late Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater who took dancers all over the world as cultural ambassadors, promotes and supports dedicated teachers enhancing arts education.

All teachers certificated as PUSD personnel may apply for the grants. Proposals may be submitted by individual teachers, by teams of teachers, by principals or by any other certificated district personnel serving pre-K-12 PUSD students.

A teacher may submit only one proposal, either as an individual or as part of a team.

To apply, interested PUSD teachers should submit their proposals online at www.jotformpro.com/form/51956858155974.

Hard copy applications must be signed by applicants and a principal or relevant department head and delivered to PEF at the PUSD Education Center, Room 153, 351 South Hudson Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91109.

Online and hard copy applications must be submitted by no later than Wednesday, October 1st, 2015 at 5 p.m. Applications filed on time will be acknowledged by email.

During the selection process, the PEF Teacher Grants Committee reviews all applications that meet eligibility and other requirements and presents its recommendations for funding to the PEF Board of Directors for a decision.

The PEF grants have been ongoing for the last 40 years, funded mostly by community donations.

For more information about the PEF and the teacher grants, visit www.pasedfoundation.org.