Walden University Announces $5,000 Educator for a Day Grants

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University will award up to $25,000 in grants to preK–12 schools that host Educator for a Day events on Thursday, Nov. 20. For the eighth year, Walden is offering the Educator for a Day grants as a call to action for teachers and administrators to invite aspiring educators, community leaders, parents and friends into their classrooms as "shadow teachers" to foster awareness of the need for more teachers and the benefits of the teaching profession.

Educators and administrators can nominate their schools at www.WaldenU.edu/educatorforaday. The deadline for nominations is Monday, Oct. 6. From those nominated, up to five schools will receive a $5,000 grant in support of their Educator for a Day events on Nov. 20, which falls during American Education Week (Nov. 17–21.)

Grants will be awarded based on answers to essay questions about what non-educators should know about the school, what makes the school unique and what the school would do with the grant. Schools must use the grant to enhance their classroom education, provide educational technology or supplies, or sponsor educational activities.

In 2013, Educator for a Day grants were awarded to schools in Los Angeles; Orlando, Florida; Lumberton, Mississippi and Tarboro, North Carolina. The schools used the funds to purchase materials to help teach Common Core State Standards and for literacy programs in grades 4–9,  to purchase SMART Board interactive whiteboards for a library, to operate a positive behavior support program and to renovate and refurbish classrooms to enhance student participation in STEM programs.

"Walden's Educator for a Day grants further our mission to advance positive social change in our communities through the powerful impact of education," said Dr. Kate Steffens, dean of Walden's Riley College of Education and Leadership. "Thousands of students, teachers and administrators from across the country have benefited from this initiative since 2007.  We are proud to offer grants that provide a creative incentive for schools to invite their community to experience firsthand all the great work they are doing every day."

The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University, accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), is the choice of more than 56,000 students and alumni who are leaders in their classrooms and schools, including more than 100 state teachers of the year. The college is dedicated to improving educator effectiveness and preparing educators to make a positive impact on student achievement. For more information about degree programs in the Riley College of Education and Leadership, visit www.WaldenU.edu/education.

About Walden University
For more than 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 50,000 students from all 50 states and more than 150 countries are pursuing their bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees online at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network—a global network of more than 75 campus-based and online universities in 29 countries.

Walden offers more than 80 degree programs with more than 370 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, social work, education, public health, nursing, public administration and information technology. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.

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SOURCE Walden University