Untitled Document

If you are a teacher or an administrator you may choose to use:
A Design Your Own Staff Development Grant. Proposals may be submitted for 2008-2009 after July 1, 2008.

Design Your Own Staff Development Grant Application in Word

MESTRACT's Design Your Own Staff Development Grant Program provides a unique opportunity to bring workshops and in-service courses into your school, based on the needs of your district. MESTRACT is proud of our diverse consortium. So, in recognition of this distinct membership, we offer the Design Your Own Staff Development Grant Program to our member districts. Through this program, individualized staff development can be provided when and where it is needed...and the Teacher Center will support your workshop or in-service idea up to $1,500.00.

Design Your Own Staff Development Grant applications may be submitted for the following:

*To create outstanding in-service courses and workshops, based on individual district or school needs.
*To offer programs utilizing the expertise of outside resources or local staff members.
*To arrange for educational speakers and consultants.
*To keep up with the latest educational research and development.
*To allow staff members to become familiar with computer software and hardware available in each school district.
*Other staff development projects addressing district Professional Development Plans
*If funds are used for a conference, it must be followed by at least 5 hours of turn key training, for a minimum of 10 people.

Design Your Own funds are not meant to replace normal district or building funding for professional development. They are meant to enrich district staff development efforts, allow for innovative professional development projects that would be unable to be funded with normal district funds, or support projects beyond the scope of the district budget for professional development.

If you have a Staff Development idea, complete a grant application and we will work with you to develop it into a program. However, there is a April 1, 2009, deadline for this application, and the projects must be completed by May 1, 2009. The application should be submitted at least 6 weeks before the project begins. If you would like an application for the Design Your Own Staff Development Grant Program or if you would like additional information, please contact your Policy Board Member or your school Ambassador or call or (631) 345-3461.

Mid-East Suffolk Teacher Center
Design Your Own
Staff Development Grant Program

Guidelines to be followed:

1. The focus of the proposal must be on the professional development of teachers and other support staff.

2. The proposal may be applied for by one or two individuals. All required signatures must be included with the application. Copies should be supplied for building principal and teacher association president after signing.

3. The proposal must involve a minimum of ten staff members in a district or several districts working together on a collegial staff development project. Only one Design Your Own Grant can be awarded for a specific staff development project.

4. The proposal must include a budget showing areas of expenditures. Funding limit is $1,500.00.

5. The proposal budget may not include funding for equipment, substitute coverage, refreshments, or items that are normally funded through district funds.

6. The proposal budget may include limited funds (less than 1/3) for professional books or software used in the project provided they remain in a professional library after the project and are not for personal possession.

7. The proposal must address skills and competencies aligned with and supporting the NYS Standards and Assessments.

8. Other sources of funds to support the project should be investigated such as building, district, private, or business funding.

9. The deadline for application is April 1 of the school year. Projects must be completed by May 1st. The proposal must be submitted 6 weeks before the start of the project. Funding will not be granted for proposals received after this time. After approval by the Teacher Center, a letter and copy of the proposal will be sent to the Superintendent and MESTRACT Policy Board Member of the applicant(s).

10. At the culmination of the project, applicants will be required to submit participant evaluations, a final budget, an invoice for the grant award, and a final assessment. Only after receipt of this information will the monies be awarded. This normally takes 3-4 weeks for a check to be issued.