December 20, 2023 3:30 a.m.

Douglas County teachers are now invited to apply for a Fund for Teachers Grant from The Ford Family Foundation.

A TFFF release said the annual program awards up to $5,000 individual teachers and up to $10,000 for teams of educators. The program supports teacher-designed, summer learning experiences that impact their practice, students and school communities.

Teachers in pre-school through 12th grade classrooms are strongly encouraged to apply if they meet all of the following criteria:

*Licensed Douglas County public school teacher

*Have three or more years of experience in the classroom

*Spend at least 55 percent of their time providing instruction

*Commit to teaching the following year

Proposals should focus on summer educational experiences that teachers deem relevant to their careers and classrooms. Fellowship proposals that prioritize teachers seeking solutions to their own, problems of practice will be best aligned to grant goals.

Up to $50,000 total will be awarded to teachers in the county. The initiative is part of The Ford Family Foundation’s on-going work to support teachers and develop networks of high-quality teachers and leaders in the county, who collaborate to improve student academic and life outcomes. Doing so contributes to the foundation’s goal of ensuring that children have the family, educational and community supports they need to succeed in life. This is the eighth year that the Fund for Teachers has been available to local educators.

Teachers can apply through January 18th through the Fund for Teachers website: https://fft.fundforteachers.org/applications/choose_program?state=or