ISTA Foundation Awards Three Professional Development Grants to School Districts
09/02/2021
The ISTA Foundation, in partnership with American Fidelity and Security Benefits, awarded three Educator Learning Grants to Indiana public school districts. The grant funds high-quality professional development for educators.
“The ISTA Foundation is committed to supporting educator professional growth to better serve students,” said ISTA Foundation Chair Jennifer Smith-Margraf. “While this was the first year to offer the Educator Learning Grant, the quality and variety of planned professional development demonstrates the positive community impact of public schools and public-school educators.”
Grant applications were jointly submitted by the school district or corporation superintendent with endorsement by the ISTA local association president. The maximum grant award was $10,000.
Metropolitan School District of Pike Township, Indianapolis
The ISTA Foundation awarded an Educator Learning Grant to Metropolitan School District of Pike Township. The grant funding will support the continuation and expansion of the district’s Pike Parent University webinar series. Pike Parent University supports parents, guardians and families to empower student learning and build relationships with educators.
This grant will fund six additional webinars connecting parents, guardians and families with district resources, school social workers, counselors and more to facilitate further parent engagement in student learning.
Richmond Community Schools, Richmond
The grant funding awarded to Richmond Community Schools will continue current professional development on issues of racial equity in schools, teaching and learning. The district and the Richmond Education Association will implement professional development training on implicit bias and microaggressions for 35 administrators, teachers, board members, education support professionals and community members.
This work aims to address and overcome unconscious bias to deliver equitable and just learning environments for all students.
Southwest School Corporation, Sullivan
The ISTA Foundation awarded an Educator Learning Grant to Southwest School Corporation to grow the high-ability program in the district. The grant funding will support training to develop and implement the program and curriculum, professional development, site visits, instructional resources and informational materials for parents, guardians and families of high-ability students.
The foundation grant ensures the district can fulfill the needs of students and comply with Indiana statues requiring the identification and instruction of high-ability students.
Learn more about the ISTA Foundation Educator Learning Grant at ista-in.org/scholarships-awards.