Classroom Help for Teachers Through 2008 Teacher Grants  

While creative lessons plans are great, there is additional support available through grants for teachers to make teaching more effective.
Applications for the NEA’s Student Achievement grants and Learning Leadership grants are due by Feb. 1, 2008. The student achievement grants award $5,000 to enhance the academic achievement of students by involving them in critical thinking and problem-solving that deepens their knowledge of standards-based subject matter. 
The learning and leadership grants provide opportunities for teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff to engage in high-quality professional development and lead their colleagues in professional growth. The grant amount is $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups engaged in collegial study. Recipients will be notified by March 15, 2008. Grants fund activities for 12 months from the award date. 
For information, visit www.neafoundation.org. CLASS Grants are designed to build community support for public education and address educational and social problems facing communities.  CLASS grants of up to $1,000 have funded local efforts by student chapters to : host a book drive; conduct a fund-raiser for school supplies and materials; offer after-school tutoring; work with a center for at-risk children; participate in adult-learning programs; support Big Brother-Big Sisters of America Inc. and more. Go to www.nea.org/student-program/programs/class.html. Second-semester applications are due by January 31, 2008.
The Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF), in partnership with the Space Foundation and NASA, is accepting applications for the 2008 Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award. The award gives priority to programs focusing on aerospace and/or aeronautics, recognizes outstanding contributions made by technology personnel or K-12 classroom teachers to technology education.  Only mailed applications received no later than January 17, 2008 will be accepted. For  more information, go to www.amfcse.org/Alan%20Shepard%20Award/alan_shepard_award.htm. 
“Listen To A Life” essay contest is open to students 8 to 18 years old. Entrants must interview a grandparent or grandfriend 50 years or older about his or her hopes and goals through life.  Students submit a 300-word essay based on the interview. The grand prize is a Lenova ThinkCentre computer, $800 in Orchard software and an iPod Classic with video from Orchard Software.  The school of the winning students also receives $25,000 in Orchard educational software. For complete contest details, visit www.legacyproject.org/contests.ltal.html. Deadline is March 31, 2008.

— Teachers of Color