American Education Week: 10 Grants for Schools and Teachers

American Education Week takes place the week before Thanksgiving every year and is meant to highlight the importance of public education in the U.S. The event is comprised of five days, and each day has its own unique theme.

A Look at the Five Days of American Education Week

1. Kickoff Day: The first day serves as a kickoff celebration for activities and events.
2. Family Day: On family day, families of students can visit classrooms to learn what daily life is like for their kids. Most experts say students perform better when their parents are involved.
3. Education Support Professionals Day: On this day, make sure to show your appreciation for all the people who have advanced your child’s education beyond just teaching.
4. Educator For a Day: On this day, community leaders can come into the classroom to experience what it is like to be an educator.
5. Substitute Educators Day: This is the last day of American Education Week. The day highlights educators who don’t often get credit — substitute teachers. These education professionals often step in at the last minute when there is a need.

The History of American Education Week

The National Education Association was one of the original sponsors of American Education Week and played a big role in the creation of the event.

After realizing that 25 percent of the country’s World War I draftees were illiterate, members of the NEA and the American Legion decided something needed to be done to increase support for education. They began brainstorming ways to do this in 1919. However, it was not until 1921, that the NEA Representative Assembly called for American Education Week as a solution.

The Importance of American Education Week

Education is crucial to a child’s development. For this reason, it is important to recognize the people and places that help to provide a good education. However, it is also essential that these schools and teachers have the funding they need.

According to Education Data Initiative, the federal government only accounts for 7.9% of funding for public K-12 education. The rest of the funding comes from state and local government, as well as private donations. However, grants can be a great way for schools and teachers to get the funding they might be lacking.

GrantWatch.com has many grants listed for teachers and schools. And in honor of American Education Week, GrantWatch is sharing 10 of these grants below that are currently available.

10 Grants to Celebrate American Education Week

• In-kind grants are available to schools, school districts, parents, and guardians to provide K-12 students with internet access and software.

• Head Start programs, preschools, and elementary schools can apply for funding to implement a STEM learning program. 

• There are grants for USA educators and nonprofit organizations to enhance learning for PreK-12 students. Funding will support the development of extracurricular and in-class programming that improves learning and develops the abilities of children from low-income households.

• Opportunities are available for USA full-time public and public charter school educators, including counselors, librarians, nurses, and therapists, to obtain funding for classroom projects that benefit students.

• Grants of $750 are also available to K-12 teachers, community college faculty, and community college students to support participation in earth science.

• Grants of up to $10,000 to USA and territories PreK-12 school libraries to provide books to disadvantaged youth.

• In-kind grants of essential school supplies are available to USA teachers in underserved preschools and schools. 

• Grants are available to USA sixth through twelfth-grade teachers to enhance science, technology, engineering, and math learning.

• There are also grants of $500 for USA educators for classroom projects and lessons related to aviation.

• Finally, grants of up to $1,000 are available to USA K-5 teachers for creative educational programming.

GrantNews Notes

Are you looking for more grants like these? Check out our full education category. GrantWatch also has an elementary education category, as well as a secondary education category.

Also, make sure to give your organization the gift of GrantWatch! Signing up as a paid subscriber will provide you with access to more than 8,000 grants for nonprofits, small businesses, and individuals. This includes full eligibility criteria, contact information for grant funders, and application links.