You Can Invest in Collier Classrooms!

“I don’t know if it is the teacher or the books, but I really like reading now!” exclaimed one of Dana Tracy’s East Naples Middle School students after enjoying high interest books that were funded by The English-Speaking Union through a Connect with a Classroom grant.

Because every child is unique, teachers face the challenge each day of coming up with new and different methods of teaching in order to meet individual student needs. Teachers are brimming with creative ideas for student projects and activities to accomplish this, but need the help of our community to bring these learning opportunities to life in our classrooms.  Connect with a Classroom does just that!  This online program allows teachers to post funding requests (varying from $25 to a maximum of $2,000), materials requests, or time and talent requests for creative, innovative learning experiences for their students.

The Connect with a Classroom program has been in existence since 2003, but was recently launched on our new website with enhancements and teachers are now submitting their requests for the 2011-2012 school year.  These requests are for classroom projects which cannot be funded by the school budget or tax dollars and will ultimately improve student learning and performance.  There are also opportunities to provide materials needed in classrooms or volunteer your time and talent.

The Education Foundation of Collier County funds these classroom grants through the proceeds from the specialty Florida Educational License Plate, along with contributions from clubs and organizations to the Connect with a Classroom grant fund, and through individuals in the community who visit our website and fund grants for which they have an interest.  This grant program provides remarkable opportunities both for teachers in the Collier County Public Schools and for community members who want to play a part in improving the quality of instruction in our schools.  Right now, the community can fund requests like “Put Me In, Coach!” or provide materials for “Order in the Court.”  Please click here to view these requests and more which are currently posted. Visit often to see what is new!