ST. LOUIS – WGU Missouri has announced the return of its “Fund My Classroom” initiative, issuing a call for K-12 teachers across the state to nominate their proposed classroom projects for the opportunity to receive full or partial funding.
The fully online, nonprofit university is pledging up to $100,000 in grant money across four states for K-12 teachers who have innovative ideas that will further engage their students but need funding to help bring these ideas to life. Teachers can submit their proposed projects online at wgu.edu/fundmyclassroom through April 14.
Selected classroom projects will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week, which runs May 8-12.
K-12 educators can request funding for any type of uniquely creative classroom project they believe would provide an enriching classroom experience for their students – from books, supplies and equipment or technology, to classroom experiences and field trips. To be considered, proposed projects must include a description detailing how much funding is needed and how the proposed project will benefit students. Both public and private school teachers are encouraged to submit applications. Teachers do not have to be WGU students or alumni to apply.
“When it comes to expanding classroom curriculum and employing state-of-the-art techniques to engage and challenge students, K-12 teachers are often limited by the costs associated with providing impactful educational learning,” said Dr. Terrance Hopson, Regional Vice President of WGU Missouri. “That’s why we are proud to once again offer ‘Fund My Classroom’ as a way to help make a difference in classrooms across the state and show appreciation for our teachers, who work tirelessly to educate young minds. We hope to be able to fund dozens of innovative projects that will play a role in setting up our children for success later in life.”
This is the fifth consecutive year WGU Missouri is making the “Fund My Classroom” initiative available for Missouri teachers. In the four previous years, the university has awarded more than $110,000 in grant funding toward 146 classroom projects in Missouri. The university hopes to continue to fund dozens of projects throughout Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and Minnesota this year.
Some of the classroom projects in Missouri that were funded last year through WGU’s “Fund My Classroom” initiative included: a community garden at Glasgow Elementary School in the Riverview Gardens School District in St. Louis, which provides second-grade students with the chance to plan and maintain a garden and gain experience in sustainability, team building, and community; a classroom cottage project at Diamond High School near Joplin, Mo., where special education students learn how to start and manage a small business and learn the basics of designing, producing, marketing, and selling products; air fryers and Instant Pots® for use at Bronaugh R-7 School in Bronaugh, Mo., where consumer science students learn how to operate and utilize small kitchen appliances as part of their class’s cooking unit; large print books for K-8th grade students at Nell Holcomb School in Cape Girardeau, Mo., building on an effort to improve word recognition and reading comprehension among students; and a new camera for yearbook students at Laura Speed Elliot Middle School in Boonville, Mo.
Anyone interested in nominating themselves, colleagues, family or friends can fill out the short application available at wgu.edu/fundmyclassroom. Nominees must reside in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, or Minnesota.
About WGU Missouri
WGU Missouri is a competency-based, online university created to expand access to higher education for Missouri residents. The university offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Missouri faculty members serve as mentors, working one-on-one with students, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction.
Established in 2013 through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Missouri is open to all qualified Missouri residents. The university is nonprofit and self-sustaining on flat-rate tuition of about $7,000 per year for most programs.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Nursing College programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*), and the Health Informatics program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
More information is available at missouri.wgu.edu or by calling 855.948.8493.
*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791).