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ASD Foundation Awards 24 with Teacher Innovation Grants
December 12, 2019, Allentown, Pa. — The Allentown School District Foundation (ASDF) is pleased to announce the newest cohort of Teacher Innovation Grant (TIG) recipients. These grant applications are developed by ASD educators to bring Allentown students added, enriched learning experiences. This year, the major grant support from The Donley Foundation and The Sugra Memorial Foundation were augmented by additional supporters as the Foundation is committed to growing the program. Sponsors are identified on each grant below:
2019-2020 Cohort of TIG Fellows
Selected by the ASDF TIG Committee on November 26, 2019, the Teacher Innovation Grants were approved and announced to ASD educators through surprise visits to their classrooms December 9-12. Highlights from this year:
The ASD Foundation is awarding 24 Teacher Innovation Grants totaling $25,018. The grants fund projects in 16 ASD schools and will include: seven STEAM, eight English/Language Arts/Social Studies, nine Special Education/Social Emotional Learning. Thirty proposals with a maximum request of $1,200 were submitted by ASD educators and reviewed by the eight members of our volunteer TIG Committee. All grants were also reviewed and approved by ASD curriculum directors to meet standards.
The Teacher Innovation Program was founded in 2010 with a small grant. Since that time, more than $143,000 has been granted to 147 teachers. TIG is pegged to be a high-growth program for the Foundation, with a goal to fund 10 percent of the teacher corps, or to reach about 140 – 150 ASD educators with grant support every year. To do this, the TIG Committee has begun fundraising with a broader focus.
Says Dr. Dennis Blankowitsch, Co-Chair of the ASDF TIG Committee, “The quality of proposals is rich with commitment to make a difference in the lives of ASD students and they are immensely creative.”
“We extend our gratitude not only to the TIG Committee for its dedication and diligence, but to our sponsors and all ASD educators who submitted TIG proposals,” added Jane Marks, Co-Chair. “These innovative plans will create a spark that ignites a life-long love of learning and impact not just minds, but hearts as well.”
The grant ceiling continued this year at a cap of $1,200 per proposal. Project funding to recipients will be released right after the winter break in January 2019. Part of the innovation grant process includes an evaluation component, which happens at school year-end.
These 24 TIG projects were selected by the TIG Committee consisting of Altagracia Mercado (Urban Affairs Liaison for Senator Pat Browne); Maryann Gross (representing all curriculum coordinators), TIG Co-chair Dr. Dennis Blankowitsch (retired ASD administrator), TIG Co-chair Jane Marks (retired gifted teacher in ASD), ASD Foundation Administrator Vicki Newhard, Ralph Todd (retired ASD administrator) and Susan Geise, volunteer and parent of three William Allen High School graduates. Missing in action were the following reviewers who submitted their recommendations: former ASD Foundation president Barry Halper, ASD test administrator Lizabeth Hutchison and retired ASD teacher Anita Stevens. The Foundation is grateful for your service and dedication.TIG Co-Chair Dr. Dennis Blankowitsch (retired ASD Administrator); TIG Co-chair Jane Marks Co-Chair Jane Marks (retired ASD Teacher and Student Teaching Supervisor at Muhlenberg College); ASD test administrator Lizabeth Hutchison; retired ASD teacher Anita Stevens; Diane Wittman Koch (Newspapers in Education Manager, retired, The Morning Call); Ralph Todd (retired ASD Administrator), and Linda Bortz (retired ASD Teacher and member of the Lehigh Chapter of PA School Retirees)Maryann Gross (representing all curriculum coordinators), TIG Co-chair Dr. Dennis Blankowitsch (retired ASD administrator), TIG Co-chair Jane Marks (retired gifted teacher in ASD), ASD Foundation Administrator Vicki Newhard, Ralph Todd (retired ASD administrator) and Susan Geise, volunteer and parent of three William Allen High School graduates. Missing in action were the following reviewers who submitted their recommendations: former ASD Foundation president Barry Halper, ASD test administrator Lizabeth Hutchison and retired ASD teacher Anita Stevens. The Foundation is grateful for your service and dedication.. The Committee scored each application using a quantitative rubric by placing a total score of up to 25 points for each submission.
About Allentown School District Foundation
With a vision for enriched education for ASD students, the ASDF mission is to encourage, promote, support and fund positive educational experiences for students in the Allentown School District. If you would like to sponsor a TIG grant or learn more, please contact the Foundation at 484-765-4093 or williamssu@allentownsd.org. The mailing address is P.O. Box 328, 31 South Penn Street, Allentown PA 18105. http://asdf.allentownsd.org.
There are more stories and photos of the 24 TIG Fellows on ASD Foundation Facebook.
Information provided to TVL by:
Office of Communications
Allentown School District
www.allentownsd.org/
