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October 08, 2025
The Current: September 2025

This issue of The Current includes: Fellow in the News: Natalie Yasmin Soto (’25) FFT Welcomes New Board Member 2026 Fellowship Grant Application Read our September issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
September 23, 2025
FFT Welcomes New Board Member

FUND FOR TEACHERS WELCOMES SHITAL C. SHAH TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS September 23, 2025 (Houston) – Fund for Teachers (FFT) – one of the nation’s largest investors in PreK–12 educators – is proud to announce the appointment of Shital C. Shah to its board of directors. With a distinguished career dedicated to advancing public education…
August 25, 2025
The Current: August 2025

This issue of The Current includes: Postcard from Japan Path is Made by Walking Fellows in the News Read our August issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
August 05, 2025
The Current: July 2025

This issue of The Current includes 2025 Fellow highlights to inspire your summer: Finding Your Path in History Looking Back to Move Forward A “Sign” It’s Fellow Season Read our July issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
July 25, 2025
FFT Fellows in the News: Lancaster Online

This story was originally published by Lancaster Online. Subscribe on their website, https://lancasteronline.com/site/subscribe. Lancaster elementary school teachers fish for knowledge in Japan this summer Meryl Li July 22, 2025 In a small fishing village situated along the eastern coast of Japan, a couple from Lancaster city, two elementary school teachers, wake up at 4:30 a.m….
June 30, 2025
The Current: June 2025

This issue of The Current includes 2025 Fellow highlights to inspire your summer: Embracing, Not Erasing, Vietnamese Heritage FFT Fellow in the News: Patty Taylor Get to Know Our Fellows Read our June issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
June 25, 2025
FFT Fellow in the News: Patty Taylor

This story was originally published by Post and Courier. Subscribe on their website, https://www.postandcourier.com/. Love of Nature Leads Rock Hill Teacher on Utah Trip to Research World’s Largest Living Organism Ian Davis-Leonard May 12, 2025 ROCK HILL — Stepping inside Patty Taylor’s second grade classroom feels a bit like walking outdoors. Paper pine trees line…
April 29, 2025
The Current: April 2025

This issue of The Current celebrates the announcement of our 2025 Fellows: 25th Anniversary Year The FFT Community Factor Fellow Feature: Life in Action Read our April issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
April 03, 2025
Fund for Teachers Announces 2025 Grant Recipients

$1.625 Million to Empower Educators with Global Learning Opportunities 357 prek-12 teachers will embark on unique learning expeditions in 79 countries HOUSTON, TX – Fund for Teachers, one of the nation’s leading organizations supporting preK-12 educators, is proud to announce its 2025 grant recipients. This summer, 357 teachers will leverage $1.625 million into experiential learning in 79 countries on 6 continents….
March 24, 2025
The Current: March 2025

This issue of The Current is focused on Women’s History Month: Making History More HERstory Leading While Learning Our Vote for National Teacher of the Year Read our March issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
February 19, 2025
The Current: February 2025

In celebration of Black History Month, this issue of the The Current highlights some the unique ways Fellows used Fund for Teachers grants to pursue aspects of Black history in nuanced ways. The Nexus of Cultures and Communities Music (& History) to Students’ Ears Experiencing History to Expand Knowledge Read our February issue, here. To receive…
January 30, 2025
The Current: January 2025

In this issue: What makes a good citizen? Cheetah-ing in Class Fellows Helping Fellows Read our January issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
December 18, 2024
The Current: December 2024

In this issue: Defining a “Followship” Affirming One’s Calling Online Learning Center Opinion: Closing the Ed Department is a Solution in Search of a Problem Read our December issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
November 14, 2024
The Current: November 2024

In this issue: Mark Your Calendar: Grant Applicant Events Take a Listen: Fund for Teachers The Podcast launches fifth season Blending Craft and Technology Read our November issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
October 24, 2024
FFT Fellow in the News: Yan Carlos Mejia

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters A Bronx teacher wanted better materials for English learners. He went to Latin America to find them. Amy Zimmer, Chalkbeat Oct 17, 2024 at 5:31pm EDT Yan Carlos Mejia sees himself in his students. Mejia, who teaches students learning English as…
October 17, 2024
The Current: October 2024

In this issue: Ready, set, apply! 2025 Grant Application Available Collaboration Across the Nation New Educator Advisory Council Members Named Read our October issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
October 01, 2024
Fund for Teachers Offers Teacher
Grants for Summer 2025

Prek-12 Teachers Can Apply for up to $10,000 for Self-Designed Fellowships HOUSTON – Fund for Teachers, one of the country’s largest investors in preK-12 teachers, today opens its 2025 grant cycle, inviting teachers with a minimum of three years classroom experience to design fellowships (anything/anywhere) that enrich their careers, support student success, and strengthen schools…
September 10, 2024
The Current: September 2024

In this issue: Heading Back to School Centering Student Experience New Partner Announced: Maxwell/Hanrahan Read our September issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
September 09, 2024
FFT Welcomes New Partnership with Maxwell/Hanrahan

Non-Profits Collaborate to Support Teachers’ Experiential Learning & Student Outcomes HOUSTON —Fund for Teachers, one of the country’s largest investors in preK-12 educators, announced a grant from the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation to award fellowships focused on science and craft experiences for teachers working with underserved students or in rural school settings. The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation joins organizations…
July 18, 2024
The Current: July 2024

In this issue: Midsummer’s Teacher Dreams Summer Reading: The Great Gatsby Read our July issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
May 24, 2024
FFT Names New Board Chair

FUND FOR TEACHERS NAMES JONAS ZUCKERMAN CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD National Advocate for Equitable Education Moves into New Leadership Role May 24, 2024 (Houston) – Fund for Teachers, one of the country’s largest investors in preK-12 educators, has named Jonas Zuckerman as its new board chair. Having served as a Fund for Teachers board member…
May 03, 2024
The Current: May 2024

In this issue: Fellow Season Begins Innovation Circle Fellows Named FFT Names New Board Chair Read our May issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
April 10, 2024
The Current: April 2024

In this issue: Announcing our 2024 Fellows Innovation Circle Grant Deadline Donor Spotlight: Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Read our April issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
April 05, 2024
Fund for Teachers Awards $1.6 Million in Grants for Summer Fellowships

365 prek-12 teachers will pursue learning around the world to impact student engagement and success.  APRIL 5, 2024 (Houston) – Fund for Teachers, one of the country’s largest investors in preK-12 educators, has announced its 2024 grant recipients who will embark on self-designed expeditions this summer using $1.6 million in grants. These 365 teachers, FFT…
March 06, 2024
The Current: March 2024

In this issue: Women’s History Month Spies Like Us Donor Spotlight: Dalio Education Read our March issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
February 07, 2024
The Current: February 2024

In this issue:  Introducing: The Current Celebrating Black History Month Lunar New Year Read our inaugural issue, here. To receive the latest issue of The Current in your inbox, subscribe here.
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Our Blog

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Postcard from Japan

Many teachers are already into their first weeks of school; however, FFT Fellow Prince Johnson (Food and Finance High School – New York, NY) is still being a student on his fellowship in Japan. We caught up with him mid-fellowship to hear about how he is observing Tokyo’s urbanization, Kyoto’s cultural landscapes, and Hiroshima’s history...

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Looking Back to Move Forward

Students of Washington D.C.’s Dunbar High School walk in the footsteps of trailblazers such as the first Black graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, the first Black U.S. Senator elected by a popular vote, and the head academic researcher on Brown v. The Board of Education. Established in 1870 as the Preparatory High School for Colored...

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Get to Know Us!

Who are the 354 teachers awarded 2025 Fund for Teachers grants? This infographic provides a snapshot. You can learn more about this 25th cohort of FFT Fellows here and don’t forget to follow their learning on our Facebook and Instagram pages!

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Embracing, Not Erasing, Vietnamese Heritage

“I remember setting foot on my first Boston snow in February 1992,” said FFT Fellow Thu-Hang Tran-Peou describing her arrival from Vietnam as a young girl. “It was my first encounter with tuyết (snow)—a word I had read, wrote, and pondered before but had never known. The coldness, the fragility of the white cluster melting...

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The FFT Community Factor

Integral to our work is the collaboration of our community partners – foundations, nonprofits and organizations that share our commitment to teachers and their students. Through their partnership on Fellow selection, funding and local support, these valued stakeholders extend Fund for Teachers’ impact across the country in rural and urban schools. We are grateful that...

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Life in Action

Students at Life Learning Academy are disconnected – literally and figuratively. Many of the students live on campus, located on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay. Also, students arrive after experiencing life traumas, often involving the juvenile justice system, and not finding success in traditional school settings. Kevin Hicks arrived at Life Learning Academy...

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Meet Our New Fellows

Fund for Teachers, one of the nation’s leading organizations supporting preK-12 educators, is proud to announce its 2025 grant recipients. This summer, 357 teachers will leverage $1.625 million into experiential learning in 79 countries on 6 continents. These educators comprise Fund for Teachers’ 25th cohort of FFT Fellows. Since 2001, Fund for Teachers has invested $39 million in 10,225 public, private and...

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And they all learned happily ever after

Once upon a time, an elementary school librarian became a Fund for Teachers Fellow, and her fairy tale dreams became a reality. It really did feel like a whirlwind fairy tale. Back in January of 2023, a friend of mine reached out to me about working together on a FFT grant. I was hesitant at...

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Music (& History) To Students’ Ears

The town of Roseburg, Oregon has a few notable distinctions – the subject of the Johnny Cash song “Lumberjack” and home to a pack of feral angora goats that predicted weather in the 1980s – but a diverse demographic is not among them. The county seat is 91% white and the students at Roseburg High...

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The Nexus of Cultures & Communities

The inspiration behind Fund for Teachers fellowships are as diverse as our Fellows; however, only one (that we know of) stemmed from a subway attack. In November 2021, four Asian-American students were attacked because of their ethnicity by four Black teenagers. Alarmed by subsequent increasing racial tensions at Central High School, members of the school’s...

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