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 apply to receive a grant in the following tiers:
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Single classroom or grade level project: up to $2,000
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Multi-grade level or school-wide project: up to $3,000
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District-wide project: up to $5,000
For more detailed information about the grant and the application process, please click here.
Application period: CLOSED​
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2024-2025 Grant Recipients:
Christine Bebout, Walt Clark Middle School
Project: STEM-X Support
Laura Bess, Garfield Elementary School
Project: Grizzlies on the Move
Bryan Goldman, Centennial Elementary School
Project: Augmented Reality Sandbox
JD Jacob, Mountain View High School
Project: Mountain View High School Broadcasting
Jennifer Marlowe, New Vision Charter School
Project: Tiny Robots, Big Possibilities!
Amanda Moore, Thompson Valley High School
Project: Powerlift Students Up
Lauren Schafer, Riverview PK-8
Project: Makey Makeys
Susan Scott, TSD Career & College Readiness Department
Project: Do the Kids Still Say That?
Sharon Winter, Berthoud High School Intensive Learning Center
Project: Community Access Program
Alex Wolfe, Turner Middle School
Project: ESS Community Outreach
(Access code: GREAT IDEA)
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 NoCo Foundation. Jeff and 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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2025 - Jessi Cook (Mexico)
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2024 - Jill Brito (Argentina)
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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 and before time of travel, the grant would be forfeited.
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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. REMINDER: The WOW Travel Grant awards up to $4,500.00. Any additional expenses will be your responsibility.
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The WOW Grant cannot be used for a teacher to accompany a student travel experience as a chaperone.
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Travel carries both personal and financial risks. Recipient will agree to purchase adequate travel insurance. TEF and TSD will not be responsible for any cancellation, accident or illness resulting from WOW grant travel.
What are the selection requirements and criteria for WOW Grant applications?
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Unique and dynamic educational experiences that will support student achievement, opportunities or well-being
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Clarity of objectives and project proposal
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Itemized budget proposal for the travel experience
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WOW Grant finalists will be required to participate in a personal interview with members of the selection committee