Applications are now open for this year’s Partners in Education (PIE) grants to benefit Beaufort County teachers and fund their educational project ideas.

Applications are funneled to the Beaufort County Schools Education Foundation, which then chooses the recipients by a blind review process and disperses the grant money.

Teachers must detail a financial plan in the application that sets plausible standards for how the project will be brought to fruition, including plans for obtaining materials and creating a budget. The budget cannot exceed $500.

According to Sarah Hodges, public information officer for Beaufort County Schools, examples of past grant-winning ideas have involved forensics, tennis, reading and science labs. Teachers from any grade level or subject can apply for the grants.

Last year, 16 teachers were awarded grant money: one each from Bath Elementary, Chocowinity Primary, Eastern Elementary, Northeast Elementary and Southside High; two from both P.S. Jones Middle and Washington High; and seven from Chocowinity Middle.

“Basically what this does is put money in the hands of teachers,” Hodges said. “These are things that can go hands-on in their classrooms.”

Each idea is evaluated based on a rubric, which includes standards such as creativity, benefit to students, most efficient use of funds, critical need and collaboration.

“This helps bridge a lot of gaps, maybe where everyday funding is not available,” Hodges said.

The Education Foundation was established in 1990. According to its web page, “the mission of the Education Foundation is to promote educational excellence through innovation and creativity, which goes beyond the scope of the regular classroom program.”

Many school districts across the nation participate in the PIE grants program, as a way to supplement federal and state funding.

The deadline to apply for the Beaufort County grants is Oct. 30.

 

For more information about the grants, contact Ashley Padgett from the Education Foundation by phone at 252-940-6575 or by email at apadgett@beaufort.k12.nc.us.