GRANTS
TEF grants fund educational experiences for students and staff in Thompson School District.
Click on the buttons below for information about each grant, or scroll down to see all.
GREAT IDEA GRANT
TEF awards Great Idea Grants to TSD teachers and staff for the purpose of implementing an innovative project within education and instruction to enhance the student learning experience. A teacher or staff member may be selected to receive a grant up to $2,000. For more detailed information about the grant and the application process, please click here.
Application period: CLOSED
2023-2024 Grant Recipients:
Jennifer Bass, Mountain View High School
Project: MVHS Makerspace 3D Printer
Andria Hall, Thompson Valley High School
Project: Calm Room
Andrew Hinerfeld, Community Connections
Project: Community Connection Horticulture Entrepreneur Project
Kelsey Kopelke, Lincoln Early Childhood
Project: Blossoming Communication
Samantha Kressin, Loveland High School
Project: Loveland High Grounds
Shawna Lemons, High Plains School
Project: Music Composition Through Coding
Christine Pott, Berthoud High School
Project: Snack Cart
Kim Terry, Winona Elementary School
Project: Stellar Social Studies for 3rd Grade
Math Department, Peakview Academy at Conrad Ball
Project: Thinking ClassroomS
(Access code: GREAT IDEA)
ENCORE GRANT
TEF awards Encore Grants to previous Great Idea and Founders Grant recipients that can show growth opportunities in their funded projects. Encore Grant applications for 2022-2023 are intended for Great Idea or Founders Grants that were awarded in the 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 granting cycle. TEF will award up to $1,000 for Encore Grants.
Application period: CLOSED
(Access code: ENCORE)
WINDOWS ON THE WORLD (WOW)
TRAVEL GRANT
The Windows on the World (WOW) Travel Grant provides a teacher or teachers with up to $4,500 to complete an educational travel experience to a domestic or international destination. The experience is expected to enhance the teacher's classroom skills, expand curriculum options, and benefit students. When possible, the teacher's gained skills and knowledge should also be shared with their peers in the school and throughout the district.
(Access code: WOW)
This grant is sponsored by the Hiatt Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado. Jeff & Mary Hiatt committed to the grant program as a way to extend their gratitude to the teachers who were so influential in the lives of their children, as well as to recognize and honor the exceptional work of all teachers in Thompson School District.
Application period: CLOSED
Please see guidelines below before starting your application
WOW Grant Recipients:
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2023 - Greg Morrison (Greece)
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2022 - Nick Divine (Spain)
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2020 - Laura LaBelle (Mexico)
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2019 - Aspen Lindley (Africa) & Kristie Livermore (France)
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2018 - Amy Pasch (Canada) & Justin Muir (Italy)
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2017 - Laura Light-Kovacs (Hungary) & Simon Hoepfner (Spain)
WOW Grant Guidelines
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Travel must be completed after the spring semester ends and before the teacher’s contract begins in the fall semester.
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PreK-12 licensed teachers at a public school located within the boundaries of Thompson School District will be eligible. Awardee must be willing to participate on the selection committee for new candidates for up to three years following their award.
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Teacher applicants must be licensed employees, in good standing, of Thompson School District at the time of application. If employment status changes after a grant is awarded, the grant would be forfeited. Applicants must have completed a minimum of a one-year employment contract with TSD to be eligible to apply.
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The $4,500 award can be used for transportation, lodging, food, classes, and other associated travel expenses relevant to the grant. Additional travel undertaken by the teacher outside of the grant purpose will not be funded by the WOW Grant.
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The WOW Grant is not intended as a salary.
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The WOW Grant cannot be used for travel to a conference UNLESS the conference is just one part of a longer stay in a country/location. To be true to the spirit of the WOW grant, the recipient needs to experience the local culture and sites, not the inside of a conference hotel.
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The 2023 award recipient's travel may still be impacted by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and guidelines. Recipient will agree to all COVID-19 restrictions of their travel country. Recipient will agree to purchase adequate travel insurance. TEF will not be responsible for any cancellation, accident or illness resulting from WOW grant travel.