"My fellowship was a transformative experience that confirmed best teaching practices and exposed me to new, revolutionary techniques and ideas. I am a better educator and school community member because of this fellowship."
-2023 Fund for Teachers Fellow
Fund for Teachers is the country’s largest investor in preK-12 educators. We’re also the only organization in the country that validates educators’ vision, agency, and professionalism through grants — $36 million worth since 2001. By inviting teachers to reflect on what’s missing in their students’ learning experience and then empowering them to pursue content and/or skills to fill in those gaps, Fund for Teachers represents what’s right in education, namely focusing on equipping teachers to engage students.
We believe the most important component of that learning continuum is the teacher. Research shows that professional development, especially that which is relevant to the teacher, positively impacts student achievement and emotional well-being. When teachers participate in professional learning experiences that they design, they leverage new insights and experiences into learning that elevates students’ trajectories, as well.
Our organization validates teachers as changemakers in their classrooms and school communities. And, in their careers – because treating teachers as professionals worthy of respect directly impacts their confidence and longevity in the classroom. Consequently, Fund for Teachers grants immediately impact learners and those leading them.
Teachers are uniquely positioned to know their students and make decisions that will be more culturally sustaining. Fund for Teachers Fellows demonstrate leadership when they develop deeper humility, use new insights, skills and understandings gained through experience and reflection to move ahead, challenge norms, advocate for their students and/or create a vision for their communities, schools and classrooms that sustain all students.
Fund for Teachers Fellows serve as our best ambassadors. They promote the FFT mission by presenting to their peers in schools and districts, providing feedback on grant proposals, and supporting colleagues in applying what they've learned in their classrooms. Most importantly, our Fellows exemplify the impact that an FFT grant can have on a teacher's career and classroom.
Fund for Teachers has expanded opportunities for Fellows to remain actively involved. The Educator Advisory Council (EAC) was piloted in 2020 to leverage the thought leadership of Fellows into program design and development. Meet the current cohort, here.
Fellows who have experience in the Circle topic and have worked to implement changes in their own classroom are uniquely qualified to support others. In addition, Lead Fellowship opportunities give Lead Fellows access to teacher leadership experiences that they may not have in their schools.
Congratulations to our newest cohorts of FFT Fellows – preK-12 teachers who designed personal learning opportunities that stretch their students and strengthen public, private and charter school communities.
View the names and fellowship descriptions of our 2024 Fellowship Grant recipients,
View the names and fellowship descriptions of our 2024 Innovation Circle Grant recipients.
