ST. LOUIS – When it comes to expanding classroom curriculum and employing innovative techniques to engage and challenge students, K-12 teachers are often limited by the costs associated with providing impactful educational learning. With Teacher Appreciation Week just around the corner, WGU Missouri is hoping to make a difference in dozens of classrooms across the state. The online, nonprofit university has issued a call for K-12 teachers to submit their proposed projects online at missouri.wgu.edu/fundmyclassroom for the opportunity to receive full or partial funding. Applications are being accepted through April 26th, and winning classroom projects will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week, which takes place May 6 through May 10.
Both public and private school teachers are encouraged to apply. Educators can request funding for new books, art supplies, technology, field trips, classroom experiences or anything else they feel would improve their classrooms. To be considered, proposed projects must include a description, including how much funding is needed and how the proposed project will benefit students. Teachers do not have to be WGU students or alum to apply.
“As a former elementary school teacher, I know first-hand how rewarding it is to provide enriching classroom experiences for students but also how challenging it can be to cover education-related costs year after year,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Chancellor of WGU Missouri. “Teachers often have to dip into their own savings to cover the cost of classroom projects. We want to take this opportunity to celebrate teachers and thank them for their tireless efforts, and it is our hope that we’ll be able to fund dozens of projects across the state and provide deserving teachers with the means to make their classrooms a more engaging environment for their students.”
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, WGU Missouri is also offering up to $50,000 in scholarships to those who wish to further their education. Each WGU Teacher Appreciation Scholarship is valued at up to $2,500, which is applied at the rate of $625 per six-month term for up to four consecutive terms. To be eligible, scholarship applicants must be officially admitted to WGU Missouri, complete the scholarship application, and be interviewed by a WGU scholarship counselor. Recipients will be selected based on their academic records, financial need and readiness for online study at WGU Missouri, among other considerations. New students can apply online now through June 30 at missouri.wgu.edu/teachers.
