LTEF will now consider professional development grants for teachers to participate in career-related workshops throughout the year.

For the first time the Education Foundation will sponsor three program grant cycles. The organization will accept teacher proposals for classroom projects and professional development in the Fall (mid-October), the Winter (mid-January) and again in the Spring (mid-March).

After eight years of funding only professional development in a summer cycle, LTEF has decided to suspend the program in favor of a more flexible approach. Requests for teacher training will be accepted in ALL grant cycles and LTEF support will be determined based on the same criteria that has traditionally applied to program grants. The foundation is seeking to fund training that "fosters educational excellence, creativity and achievement" in Lawrence schools.

"We hope that this new grant schedule will accommodate an increase in teacher requests for funds for classroom programs," says LTEF Grant Review Chair Ken Mills. "We still believe in the value of professional development and will devote LTEF resources to supplement the district's training budget."

Details: The Lawrence Township Education Foundation will accept grant requests for professional development activities for faculty and staff. In order to be eligible for funding, professional development activity must comply with the following criteria:

  • It must be related to one's professional assignment and pertain to the improvement of student learning and achievement.
  • It may not be a course/activity taken for credit in a graduate level degree program.
  • It must take place between the close of school in June and the start of school in September.
  • The costs covered are limited to tuition/registration and/or relevant materials or fees.
  • If other teachers are applying for the same activity, please let us know (or we will let you know) and we will ask that you coordinate your applications in order to obtain a group discount, if available.
  • No travel expenses, meals or hotel accommodations will be funded. (Exception: Dormitory accommodations/meals included in the tuition may be considered.)

Note: The Foundation views Professional Development grants as "seed" money for future grant proposals. If your activity is funded, please make every effort to turn what you learn into a proposal.

Documentation: You do not need to include completed registration materials at this time. If your request is funded, you must submit a completed registration form and a purchase order to the Office of Instructional Services as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to complete the necessary paperwork to ensure your participation in the funded staff development session.