Grants & Awards

NEA Today, Mar 2005

Friend of Education Award Nominations Due April 4

Nominations for the NEA Friend of Education Award are due on April 4, 2004. The Friend of Education Award is the Association's highest honor and may be bestowed on an individual or organization whose leadership acts or support have significantly benefited education, education employees, or students on a national scale.

Letters of nomination must include:

* name of the nominee

* nominee's position and/or organizational affiliation

* nominee's mailing address (or organization mailing address)

* name of the nominator or affiliate

* signature of nominator or affiliate officer

* name of nominator's local affiliate, if applicable

* nominator's mailing address and telephone number.

If the nominator is an NEA member, send proof of membership (such as an NEA Today mailing label with a membership number).

In 100 words or less, indicate the reason for your nomination and summarize the nominee's qualifications for the award. Nominees will be evaluated based on leadership, acts, and support of education on a national scale. Supporting materials, such as publications or videos, may be submitted along with the nomination information.

Submit all nomination materials to: NEA Friend of Education Award Committee; Executive Office; Attn: Carol Adams. National Education Association; 1201 16th St., I N.W., Washington, DC 20036; You can also fax nomination information to 202-822-7012.

IDEA OF AMERICA ESSAY CONTEST

High school juniors (ages 16-18) who are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States can enter the 2005 Idea of America Essay Contest. Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the contest awards $5,000 to the author of the best essay and $1,000 to each of five runners-up. Essays should answer this year's questions: "Describe totalitarianism by comparing the goals, methods, and results of fascism and communism. How were the tenets of these totalitarian movements different from the ideals that unite Americans? How did the ideals embodied in the American founding prevail?"

All essays must be in English, no longer than 7,500 characters (approximately 1,200 words in length), and received by April 15, 2005. For more information, or to submit an essay online, go to vwvw.wethepeople.gov/essay/.

GRANTS FOR LESSONS PLANS

The Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program recognizes and rewards teachers and paraeducators in underprivileged schools who strive beyond challenges and limited resources to achieve excellence through instructional creativity, innovative teaching, and high learning expectation for students. Applicants must develop an original lesson plan or thematic unit that demonstrates high expectations for students. Four hundred grants of up to $2,500 each are awarded each year. To be eligible, you must

* be a teacher or paraeducator working in grades 1-12

* work in an accredited public school where at least 50 percent of the student population is eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch program.

The application deadline is June 15, 2005. For a complete application and more information, go to www.nike .com/nikebiz/nikebiz.jhtml? page=26&item=jordan.

MATH & SCIENCE TEACHING AWARDS

The Presidential Awards for Mathematics and Science Teaching recognize outstanding mathematics and science teachers from across the United States for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Mathematics and science teachers K-12 are eligible for the award. In even-numbered years, the award is given to elementary teachers (grades K-6); in odd-numbered years, secondary teachers (grades 7-12) are recognized. To be eligible, educators must:

* be teachers in one of the 50 states or four jurisdictions

* be full-time employees of their school districts

* have at least five years of mathematics and/or science teaching experience prior to application

* be assigned to teach math and/or science during the current year at a public or private school.

Teachers compete in either the mathematics or the science category. Awardees receive:

* a citation signed by the U.S. President

* a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation

* a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend recognition events and professional development opportunities.

For more information, including further eligibility requirements, go to www.paemst.org.

MINI-GRANTS FOR GOOD DEEDS

Pay It Forward Mini-Grants of up to $500 fund one-time-only service-oriented projects identified by youth as activities they would like to perform to benefit their school, neighborhood, or greater community. To be considered, projects must contain a "pay it forward" focus-that is, they must be based on the idea of one person doing a favor for others, who in turn do favors for others, with the results growing exponentially. Grant applications are reviewed by a Selection Committee three times a year.

When completing an application, explain the project thoroughly, include specific details about its education-, al value, and attach a clear and concise budget. Application deadlines are January 15, and October 15 of each year.