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OFE News Release

Fund for Teachers to Serve Oklahoma Teachers Statewide

Through Joint Venture, More Oklahoma Teachers Will Be Eligible for Grants -- Application deadline Jan. 20

December 21, 2005
TULSA -- Fund For Teachers (FFT) announced today that it is teaming up with the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and the Tulsa Community Foundation to expand its program to teachers statewide. Applications are now available for Pre-K through 12th grade teachers across the state of Oklahoma to apply for grants intended for self-designed summer professional development opportunities.

“We are pleased to expand our efforts and build new partnerships to award more Oklahoma teachers with opportunities to fulfill their professional dreams, ultimately to the benefit of Oklahoma’s children,” said Karen Kovach-Webb, executive director of FFT.

Teachers from all public, private, parochial and charter schools within the state of Oklahoma who fulfill certain criteria are able to apply. Individual grants are $5,000 and team grants, consisting of two or more eligible teachers are $7,500. Applicants must have three years teaching experience, be a fulltime employee and spend at least 50 percent of their time in a classroom setting. In addition, applicants must have the intention of returning to their school and/or district following their summer professional development. Applications need to be postmarked by January 20, 2006. Applicants will be selected based on each proposal’s merit— the potential for teacher growth and rejuvenation, as well as student, classroom and school impact.

FFT is a unique public foundation whose mission is to enrich the lives of schoolteachers and students by providing outstanding teachers with recognition and opportunities for renewal. In cooperation with the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and Tulsa Community Foundation, FFT will provide funds for direct grants to teachers to support learning opportunities of their own design. It is estimated that one grant reaches 3,000 students over the span of a teacher’s career. Founded by Apache Corp. Chairman, Raymond Plank, FFT’s enrichment fund is supported by individual and corporate donors. Nationally FFT has given over $6 million and sent over 2,000 teachers on summer sabbaticals.

Tulsa Community Foundation is a public charity that was organized in 1998 by an esteemed group of business and civic leaders to receive, protect and distribute gifts from individuals and organizations.

Founded in 1985 by then-U.S. Sen. David L. Boren, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is a nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and encouraging academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools. Its programs include a televised academic awards program to recognize outstanding students and educators, a training and outreach service to public school foundations, a partnership with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to provide teacher training and electronic field trips to Oklahoma schools, a teacher scholarships program for professional development, and a new mentoring initiative to promote the establishment and growth of school-based mentoring programs throughout the state

To access the online grant application or to learn more about FFT please visit www.fundforteachers.org or call 1- 800-681-2667.