Jean Graham Summer Passport Grant
Family and friends created the Jean Graham Fund to honor the life and educational legacy of Jean Graham, a teacher at State Street Intermediate School for 22 years. Jean epitomized lifelong learning, often through international travel and was passionate about global studies, nature, and the environment. She understood firsthand an educator’s need to continue to learn and grow and the impact real-world experience can have on student learning. (You can learn more about Jean and the Fund here.)
JGF Summer Passport Grant
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The purpose of this mini-grant is to offer educators the opportunity to take a short, domestic trip during the summer that offers immersive, experiential learning related to the subject that they teach. By defraying the cost of accommodations, meals, and gas money, educators will be able to break away, feel rejuvenated, and fuel their love of learning as it translates back to students and into the classroom.
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Who is eligible?
Teachers, teaching assistants, student support staff and administrators are eligible to apply for a JGF Summer Passport Grant. Teaching teams are also allowed to apply. For instance, the kindergarten teaching team took a trip to Canada and the third grade team took a trip to Boston, MA.
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What Can I Do on Sabbatical?
​Summer Passport grants are for short, predominatly domestic travel that relates to an applicant's area of expertise. Previous winners have travelled to Gettysburg to learn more about the Civil War and Boston to learn more about the founding of the United States. A STEM teacher visited multiple sites across the northeast and Canada to learn more about butterfly migration. Other teachers have traveled out West to deepen their understanding of Native American history. The goal of a Summer Passport grant is for winners to learn more about their curriculum and to restore and renew their love of both teaching and learning. The average grant is ~$500.
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Who Evaluates and Decides on the Grants?
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The Skaneateles Education Foundation manages the Fund. A Jean Graham Fund committee reviews grant applications and makes recommendations to the Foundation Board for approval. The Jean Graham Fund committee is comprised of two Foundation Board members, two community members, two representatives from the school district and a member of Jean Graham’s family. The Foundation’s Executive Director serves as a non-voting member of the committee.
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When Are Applications Due?
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The JGF Committee sets the due dates for each year's applications in September of the current school year. Please check with Skip Lockwood, SEF Executive Director, for up-to-date information and to answer any questions.
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Is Grant Writing Assistance Available?
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Yes. SEF's executive director is available to review your application prior to submission. Prior awardees are happy to discuss their experiences to help shape your application.
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We believe in the potential of every student, that with the right support and resources, they can achieve their dreams and make a positive impact in the world.