Happy 10th birthday, Fund for Teachers!
Profoundly influenced by a dynamic teacher, Raymond Plank (founder of Houston-based Apache Corporation) established Fund for Teachers to offer professional development fellowships to teachers. Plank's personal experience demonstrates the impact dedicated and passionate teachers can have on the lives of children (and the adults they will become). With the goal of making this world "a little better off than it was before," Fund for Teachers offers fellowships of up to $5000 ($10000 for team grants) for projects of teachers' own imaginations. The idea is to give back to teachers who work creatively to change young lives--and to trust that teachers are professionals who know best what will feed their own curiosity and rekindle their passion for what they do in the classroom.
"What we're looking for in society are those who can make a difference, but first they've got to make a difference to themselves."--Raymond Plank
This year, I am honored to be a two-time recipient of a generous Fund for Teachers grant. Five years ago, I was awarded my first FFT Fellowship--three weeks on a boat on the Amazon River, paddling canoes into the flooded forest to study rainforest ecology. Since then, I have been inspired to fill my summers with fabulous, eye-opening adventures and then share those experiences with children. This summer's fellowship will be another mystery, but Fluffy and I promise to reveal clues and post pictures throughout the summer!
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