Jan. 20—Writing: Applications are due for the Promising Young Writers awards, sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English. Teachers can nominate 8th-grade students to submit two writing samples for the contest. Winners receive certificates of recognition. Contact: NCTE, 1111 W. Kenyon Rd., Urbana, Illinois 61801-1096; (217) 328-3870; fax: (217) 278-3761; e-mail: pyw@ncte.org; Web site: www.ncte.org/about/awards/student/pyw.
Dec. 31—Teachers: Applications are due for the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award, sponsored by Nancy and Rich Kinder and the Knowledge Is Power Program. The $100,000 award will honor the work of one K-12 teacher of students in an underprivileged community. Contact: Catherine North, Director, Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award, 515 E Grant Rd., Suite 141-323, Tucson, AZ 85705; (415) 503-8654; e-mail:cnorth@kipp.org; Web site: www.kinderaward.org.
Jan. 4—Chess: Applications are due for the A&E Think Like A King National Chess Challenge. One school from each state and the District of Columbia will win $2,000 worth of Think Like a King software, an instructional program about chess for students and teachers. Details and entry forms are available at www.aetv.com and www.schoolchess.com.
Jan. 5—School awards: Applications are due for the 2006 Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction Awards. One K-8 school and one high school will win a $10,000 award in each of the following categories: academic achievement, literacy achievement, mathematics achievement, science achievement, technology excellence, technology innovation, leadership excellence, professional development, and collaboration and teamwork. Two “Best of the Best” winners will each receive an additional $15,000 prize. Details and applications are online at www.schoolsofdistinction.com.
Jan. 9—Teachers: Applications are due for the Toyota International Teacher Program. A total of 20 teachers from Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Tennessee will be chosen to participate in a 10-day study program in Japan this summer. Contact: Toyota International Teacher Program, Institute of International Education, 1400 K St., NW, Suite 650, Washington, DC 20005-2403; (877) TEACH-JP; e-mail: toyotateach@iie.org; Web site: www.iie.org.
Jan. 10—Teacher fellowships: Applications are due for Einstein Fellowships from the Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education. K-12 math, science, or technology teachers with at least five years of teaching experience can apply to spend a school year in Washington working in a congressional office or at a federal agency. Fellowships include a $5,000 per month stipend, and moving and travel expenses. Contact: Andrea Bodmann, Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Suite 201, Arlington, VA 22201; (703) 516-5963; e-mail: bodmanna@triangle-coalition.org; Web site: www.triangle-coalition.org.
Jan. 13—Call for proposals: Applications are due for the Phi Delta Kappa International’s 2006 Summit on Public Education at the Capital Hilton in Washington Oct. 19-22. Conference topics include cultivating tomorrow’s educators, empowering leaders in education, and igniting a noble cause. Proposal applications are online at www.pdkintl.org/pdkconf06/welcome.htm.
Jan. 17—Technology: Applications are due for various awards from the Consortium for School Networking. The awards recognize K-12 educators and administrators who use information technologies and the Internet to improve student learning. Contact: CoSN, 1710 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036-3007; (202) 861-2676; fax: (202) 861-0888; e-mail: info@cosn.org; Web site: www.cosn.org/about/awards.
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS, CONTESTS, AND AWARDS
Dec. 31—Writing: Applications are due for the YALDAH Magazine Story Contest, sponsored by YALDAH, a magazine for Jewish girls, and Melody Clothing, a Toronto-based girls clothing retailer. Jewish girls ages 8-14 should submit 300-1,000-word fiction stories about being Jewish. One story will be published in YALDAH, and the author will receive a $100 gift certificate to www.melodyclothing.com. Contact: Leah Larson, PO Box 215, Sharon, MA 02067; (339) 364-1783; email: yaldah@comcast.net; Web site: www.yaldahmagazine.com.
Jan. 13—Community service: Applications are due for Disney Minnie grants, sponsored by Disney and Youth Service America. Grants of up to $500 are available to fund community-service projects led by students ages 5-14 on National and Global Youth Service Days, April 21-23. Contact: Disney Minnie Grant, Youth Service America, 1101 15th St., NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005; Web site: www.ysa.org/awards.
Jan. 15—Student scholarships: Applications are due for scholarships from the Education is Freedom Foundation. The $2,000 scholarships are intended for B-average students, who may not be eligible for traditional financial aid. Each award is renewable for up to three years. Contact: Education is Freedom, 2711 N. Haskell Ave., Dallas, TX 75204; (866) EIF-EDUCATE; www.educationisfreedom.org.
Jan. 20—Writing: Applications are due for the Promising Young Writers awards, sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English. Teachers can nominate 8th-grade students to submit two writing samples for the contest. Winners receive certificates of recognition. Contact: NCTE, 1111 W. Kenyon Rd., Urbana, Illinois 61801-1096; (217) 328-3870; fax: (217) 278-3761; e-mail: pyw@ncte.org; Web site: www.ncte.org/about/awards/student/pyw.
