Innovative Teaching Grants

September 27, 2024            Teacher Grants Due by Noon

October 1, 2024                     Grants presented to grant committee for review

October 7, 2024                     Grant committee to meet/consider grants

October 14-18, 2024              Grant presentation, if needed, & final committee meeting

October 14-18, 2024             WEF Board of Directors meeting to approve grants

Late October                         SHHH!! It’s the "Surprize" Patrol

                                                   PO’s will be open

December 19, 2024                Grant Funding Must Be Expended

April 4, 2025                             Final Reports DUE

Purpose: Innovative Teaching Grants are designed to encourage, facilitate, recognize and reward innovative and creative instructional approaches to the accomplishment of program objectives. The Wimberley Education Foundation (WEF) is offering teachers and administrators the opportunity to apply for grants to support innovative programs or projects to support higher levels of student learning. The grants must enhance student academic performance and support the objectives, goals, and initiatives of the Campus Action Plan. WEF prefers to grant projects that are new; however, we recognize that certain projects exist and need to be updated and restructured.

Persons Eligible to Apply for Grants: Individuals or teams of individuals employed by the Wimberley ISD who are involved in the instruction of students or related support services benefiting students are eligible. The principals for all campuses that will participate in the program described in the grant proposal must sign and approve the application.

Eligible Proposals: Instructional approaches or projects designed to begin during the current school year and meet the selection criteria. Grants may fund instructional and classroom materials, parent involvement programs, or any activity or material which supports higher levels of student academic achievement. Award of Funds:  Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to campus teams, departments and district initiated programs or projects. For each team member you are allocated $1,000.  Example, two members on team “A” could receive up to $2,000. The number of awards will depend on funds available from WEF. Every effort will be made to award each school at least one grant. Please note that if any grantee sells or markets materials produced or developed from funds awarded under the WEF grant process, the grantee must reimburse WEF either the amount of the grant or the amount received from the sale, whichever is less.

Selection Criteria:

• The degree to which the grant supports the District goals and the Campus Action Plan and is specifically designed to address an area of need substantiated by data. General requests for textbooks will not be granted because of Texas textbook laws; if your project requires these types of materials explain fully the need and why they are not currently available through WISD.
• The degree to which student academic performance is emphasized.
• The degree to which sound evaluation procedures are incorporated in the proposal.
• The degree to which the proposal represents a creative or innovative approach to the accomplishment of objectives. New approaches to teaching and developing innovative programs should expand the existing curriculum. The degree to which the proposal is clear and logical, including (a) specificity of objectives; (b) clarity of description of instructional procedures, methods or treatments; and (c) correspondence among evaluative procedures, objectives and treatments.

Selection Process:

• Application forms may be obtained online by accessing www.wimberleyisd.net/wef
• Teacher initiated applications must be reviewed by the Campus Leadership Team for congruence with campus programs and signed by the principal.
• Applications signed by all participants are due to the WISD Central Office, no later than September 27^th, Noon.
• The Grant Application Review Committee will be made up: WEF Board of Members and others as determined by the WEF Grant Committee
• Applicants may be given the opportunity to make a short presentation and interview to the Grant Review Committee, each applicant will be notified of the date and times available.
• After the presentations, each application will be reviewed and commented by members of the WEF Grant Application Review Committee; then they will make one of four recommendations: 1) Would definitely recommend funding this project; 2) Would recommend partial funding; 3) Would recommend funding if there is extra money; or 4) Return application with suggestions for resubmitting during the next grant cycle.
• If recommended for approval, the application is presented to the Board of Directors of WEF in summary form for review and formal approval.
• Applicants will be notified of decisions by a Surprize Patrol or letter from the Grants Review Chairperson.

Responsibilities of Grant Recipients:

• Use the awards for the materials as presented in the grant application.
• Funds must be expended by December 19th.  Projects awarded must be fully implemented as early in the year as possible. All award recipients will report the impact, effectiveness, and successfulness of their project to WEF no later than April 4th. If a final report is not received, you will be ineligible to apply for a grant the following year.
• Project must be fully implemented and final report submitted to WEF before recipients can submit an application for another grant.
• Agree to share successful procedures in staff development sessions.

Tips for a Successful Application Statement of Need:

• Describe the area of student achievement you wish to address and give any data that support the need. Please include how this grant addresses district and campus goals.
• Keep the statement simple and straightforward.
• Show how project relates to the District/Campus Improvement Plan(s).

Objectives:

• Limit the number of objectives.
• State evaluation in the statement of objectives.
• Be specific.

Description of Proposed Project/Activity:

• Describe the problem or issue addressed.
• Show how the project supports the purpose.
• List steps to be followed in project implementation.
• Relate project to need and objectives.
• Be specific.

Evaluation:

• Relate to stated objectives.
• Indicate how you will know whether the project was successful.

Partners:

• Are there others who will participate in this project? (Village of Wimberley, Lion’s Club, Senior Citizens, PTO, Booster Clubs, etc.)
• What will their roles be?

When applying for a grant, please remember the following:

• Grants are to be used to fund projects that cannot be provided for in the school and district budgets.
• Objectives and outcomes should be consistent with the goals of your school and the district.
• When creating your budget, research carefully and be realistic. Small grants are just as likely to be awarded as large grants. Partial funding will be considered. Funds will not be awarded for budgeted items available from district resources.
• If the grant is approved, it will be for ONLY the items requested on the grant application…ANY changes and additions will be considered a NEW grant and you will need to re-apply during the next WEF grant cycle.
• Projects awarded must be fully implemented by the end of the following semester.
• Grant Applications may be submitted to the WEF electronically. Email application as an attachment to wef@wimberleyisd.net.  A hardcopy with original signatures (incl campus principals) on the cover sheet must be submitted to the WEF at the WISD Administration Office.