Educator-Led Initiatives Focused on Emerging Student Needs – Jul 15

Posted by NEA Foundation on June 23, 2020

NEA Foundation Welcomes Applications for Educator-Led Initiatives Focused on Emerging Student Needs

Established in 1969, the NEA Foundation serves as a laboratory of learning, offering funding and other resources to public school educators, their schools, and districts to solve complex teaching and learning challenges. The foundation advances student success by investing in public education that prepares all of America’s children to learn and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

In response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on teaching and learning, the foundation is inviting applications for the COVID-19 Response Student Success Grant program. Through the program, grants of either $2,000 or $5,000 will be awarded in support of educator-led initiatives that increase educational equity and opportunity and address student needs associated with the pandemic. Successful projects will support creativity and individuality in student learning while clearly responding to needs that emerged or worsened during the pandemic. Examples include addressing the social and emotional needs of educators, students, and students’ families; learning new pedagogy and/or adapting curricula to support distance/virtual learning and instruction; addressing student learning loss resulting from extended school closures; providing educational enrichment to support student learning; and strengthening educator/school engagement with families and communities to meet student needs. Particular attention should be given to identifying and addressing pertinent educational equity and opportunity gaps exacerbated by the pandemic.

To be eligible for a grant, applicants must be a current member of the NEA and be a teacher, education support professional, or specialized instructional support personnel. Education support professionals (ESPs) are defined by the foundation as paraeducators; school bus drivers or other transportation staff; custodial and maintenance staff; food services staff; school nurses, health aides, and other health and student services staff; clerical staff; security staff; skilled trades staff; and technical services staff. Specialized instructional support personnel (SISP) include professionals such as school counselors, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, library media specialists, speech pathologists, and others.

See the NEA Foundation website for complete program guidelines and application instructions.

Deadline: July 15, 2020

Learn more and apply: https://www.neafoundation.org/for-educators/covid-rapid-response-grants/covid-response-student-success-grants/