Guilderland Teachers' Association

The Heart's Desire Professional Development Program

 Spring 2006

Purpose

The Heart's Desire Professional Development Program is a competitive grants program sponsored by the Guilderland Teachers' Association that enables all GTA members to pursue creative professional development activities.

The program is designed to support the wealth of creativity, experiences, and knowledge that teachers bring to their schools and to foster a spirit of continued growth and renewal within the GTA membership.

Guidelines for Preparing Application

General Guidelines

1. Thoroughly review application and guidelines before drafting your request.

2. Determine the workshop, conference, course to be explored.

3. Please consider how this experience can be shared with others (i.e. your students, your colleagues, the greater community).

4. Please type all information. Applications with incomplete information will be returned. Make one copy of completed application for your records.

5. Applications should be sent no later than 4:00 p.m. the afternoon of the deadline to:

 

 

Completed applications due:  Monday, May 1, 2006

Available Grants

 The number of grants awarded will depend on the number of applications received. It will be the intent of the review committee to award as many grants as possible to worthy applicants. This might include full and/or partial funding. Grants will cover, in the case of workshops, courses, etc., the cost of the experience only (registration/course fee). PLEASE NOTE: we do not typically pay for travel, hotel expenses or curriculum projects. Additionally, if you are seeking retroactive reimbursement, your project/activity must have occurred within the last 5 months from the May 1st date.

 

Review Committee and Criteria

Applications are reviewed by the District Wide Review Committee-consisting of a member from each school (similar to the summer curriculum review committee.) They review applications on the following criteria:

1. The desired professional inquiry is clear.

2. The grant application addresses a specific need that can be realistically supported by a grant of this kind.

3. A copy of the conference/workshop brochure, course description and/or some write-up of the experience is attached to the application.

4. Some consideration has been given to dissemination to colleagues, students, community, etc.

5. The inquiry supports the District's goals and priorities.

Time Frame

Application Deadline: MONDAY, May 1, 2006

Notification to Recipients      Mid-June, 2006

Report Due ASAP after experience

Grant recipients are asked to write a brief narrative upon completion of activity. PLEASE NOTE: It has become necessary for us to require receipts from your participation. We apologize for this inconvenience. These must be attached to your final report.