Winnetka Public Schools Foundation
Teacher Grants
Teacher Initiative Grant Applications and Teacher Research Applications are sent out to teachers in early January. As one can see from the applications below, the information requested is detailed and teachers are required to plan their work and their budgets very carefully. Applications are reviewed by a committee of teachers and administrators (one teacher representative and one administrator from each building) and rated by a given set of criteria. Some of the criteria considered for Teacher Initiative Grants includes projects that show initiative, can be replicated by others, impacts large groups of students, have long term impact on the educational program and those that provide differentiated experiences for children. Some of the criteria considered for Teacher Research includes, but is not limited to evidence of long-term benefits for the schools, presentation of a clear purpose for the work, presentation of a clear sense of methodology, and presentation of who the results will interest and/or serve. In addition, the committee considers other important information such as other possible sources of funding (PTOs, building budgets), communicates across buildings, and ensures that projects are in sync with the curriculum. Once initial ratings have been completed on an individual basis, the ratings are collected, collated, and grouped. The committee then comes together to discuss certain projects and make final decisions. Grants are usually awarded by the end of April and recipients of two school years within which to complete their projects.
Applications
Initiative Grant Application (PDF)
Teacher Research Grant Application (PDF)