Teachers invited to complete Intent to Apply form for Cindy Edelman Excellence in Teaching Fellowship
Teachers have opportunity to pursue the professional learning of their dreams
9/10/2024
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF), a leading advocate for education innovation in Duval County, is excited to announce it is now accepting intent to apply forms for the groundbreaking program aimed at empowering teachers with unparalleled dream learning experiences. The Cindy Edelman Excellence in Teaching Fellowship is open for Duval County public school teachers who want to pursue a professional learning experience of their own design. Eligible teachers, either individually or as a team, are encouraged to submit their intent to apply forms by Oct. 15, 2024. Those who submit their intent to apply forms will be connected to a JPEF team member for guidance in submitting a successful application.
The Cindy Edelman Excellence in Teaching Fellowship is a visionary initiative to provide educators with immersive and transformative experiences beyond traditional professional development. This extension ensures that a broader range of dedicated teachers can use the chance to enhance their skills, gain new perspectives, and bring innovative ideas into their classrooms.
KEY PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
Optimal learning opportunities: Selected teachers will have the unique opportunity to participate in tailor-made learning experiences crafted to inspire and ignite their passion for education. These experiences may include international teacher exchanges, specialized workshops with industry experts, and immersive technology integration programs.
Professional growth and development: The program is about expanding horizons and fostering professional growth. Teachers receive mentorship, ongoing support, and access to resources to help them excel in their roles and contribute positively to the education community.
Community building: Participants become part of a vibrant and dynamic community of educators who are committed to innovation and teaching excellence. This network provides a platform for collaboration, idea exchange, and ongoing support throughout their careers.
Enhanced classroom impact: The knowledge and experiences gained through the program directly translate into enhanced teaching practices, enriched classroom environments and, ultimately, improved student outcomes.
The Fellowship is intended to identify and reward excellence in teaching and support a professional learning or research program. It provides successful applicants with up to $6,500 per teacher or $10,000 per teacher team to pursue career-enhancing strategies.
Since 2020, the inaugural year of the Fellowship, dozens of outstanding public school teachers, as individuals and teaching teams, have been named Fellows. This year’s Fellows are traversing the globe from Boston to Hawaii to Malta to obtain information and develop exciting curriculums, read more here.
“Great teachers share an incredible passion to elevate their practice so they can be more effective in the classroom,” noted Cindy Edelman, a retired art history educator and longtime philanthropist. “With this special opportunity, I hope we can open doors for these dedicated professionals to have the learning experience they seek to advance their craft and deliver even more impact for our students.”
“When they encouraged us to ‘think big and go big,’ they wanted us to explore and find something physical to bring back to our classrooms,” said Logan Davis, 8th grade science teacher at River City Science Academy. “Oh, that speaks to me a lot. I went big. I spent 10 days in the Galapagos Islands, working with other science teachers and biologists, working with tortoises, and exploring microplastics' impact on the environment. I want my students to know that the Galapagos is a real place. I want my students to think big and explore.”
The Cindy Edelman Excellence in Teaching Fellowship is administered by JPEF. The Fellowship is supported by a permanent fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, which Dan Edelman initiated to honor his wife Cindy, a dynamic public education champion.
JPEF is eager to welcome the next Cindy Edelman Excellence in Teaching Fellows. All eligible Duval County Public School teachers are encouraged to submit their intent to apply forms now.
APPLICATION DETAILS:
- Intent to apply forms due: Oct. 15, 2024
- Application deadline: Jan. 15, 2025
- How to apply: Visit https://edelmanfellowship.org to access the forms and learn more about the program