‘Teacher Creativity’ Grants Announced
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. has announced the grant recipients for this year's Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program. Selected projects range from a trip to Italy to visit the setting for Romeo and Juliet to a mission to recover LEGO pieces from a sunken cargo ship in England. You can see the full list of recipients by clicking here.
February 18, 2015
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — They spend the school year inspiring young minds to learn, create and discover. This summer 100 of Indiana's most gifted K-12 educators will take time for their own exploration and growth through Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowships.
Now in its 28th year, the Endowment's Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program gives
Indiana teachers, principals, guidance counselors and school media specialists the financial support and encouragement to nurture their commitment to education. In doing so, the program seeks to strengthen Indiana schools. As educators tend to their own intellectual, emotional and physical wellbeing, they are better able to engage and challenge their students.
Each educator will receive a $10,000 grant that will support a summer project of
personally and professionally fulfilling activities. The fellows represent a wide spectrum of schools across Indiana – traditional public schools, charter schools and private schools, both religiously affiliated and independent.
Many of the educators will travel internationally to explore the homelands of their
increasingly diverse student bodies; others will experience language immersion; and some will trace their own ethnic heritage and family histories. There are teachers who will use the renewal time to create: a screenplay, a young adult novel, a photographic essay. Others will explore the natural world – the Galapagos Islands, wild horse colonies in South Dakota, elephant habitats in Kenya.
Several educators plan to return to their schools to start new projects. One teacher will investigate schoolyard gardening programs in California so that she can bring gardening into the life of her school. Another teacher will hone skills in equine therapy so that she can better work with students experiencing anxiety, trauma and eating disorders.
Another educator will learn fly fishing in Vermont, investigate waterways in Arizona and then create science projects for his students focused on water quality and fish habitats in the White River.
“This year's Teacher Creativity Fellows have outlined renewal experiences that will truly integrate personal and professional renewal,” said Sara B. Cobb, vice president of education for Lilly Endowment. “As they engage new ideas and follow their own
curiosities they will renew their enthusiasm for teaching.”
“These teachers, counselors, principals and librarians will go out into the world and
reconnect with their calling as educators. They will come home refreshed.” Cobb said. “We regularly hear that these experiences help Indiana educators renew their commitment to their profession. As a result, their students benefit.”
Including the 2015 class, more than 2,700 Indiana educators have received grants since the Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program began in 1987. The recipients of these fellowships are selected from a competitive pool of applicants; about 500 educators applied for this round of $10,000 awards.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation that supports the causes of community development, education and religion. In keeping with the founders' wishes, the Endowment maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. More information can be found at www.lillyendowment.org.
Source: Lilly Endowment Inc.