AAE Foundation Announces National Teacher Scholarship and Grant Recipients

Alexandria, VA – The Association of American Educators Foundation (AAEF), a 501(c)(3) organization supporting the mission of the Association of American Educators (AAE), a national professional association serving educators in all fifty states, is pleased to announce that eighteen exceptional educators have been selected as recipients of scholarship or grant awards of up to $500 to help them realize their professional training goals and develop student-focused projects, content and activities. The AAE Foundation National Teacher Scholarship and Classroom Grant Program encourages innovative practices and professional excellence for all educators and has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to educators across the country through a competitive biannual selection process.

“Facilitating professional growth and funding innovative classroom projects are two of the most rewarding ways AAE supports educators,” noted the executive director of the Association of American Educators and the Association of American Educators Foundation, Colin Sharkey. “This year’s submissions represented a breadth of commitment and responsiveness to an evolving education landscape. We congratulate all our winners.”

The March 2021 recipients are:

• Kathleen Benton, South Plainfield, New Jersey
• Rachel Cahill Itle, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
• Kaniesha Clark, Vienna, Georgia
• Wendy Courtney, Baconton, Georgia
• Bethany Daniel, Talladega, Alabama
• Rachel Daniels, Guilford, Connecticut
• Kate Goedecker, Oakland, California
• Yvette Harvey, Northridge, California
• Karen Herrin, Deer Lodge, Montana
• Lauri Lingelbach, Modoc, Indiana
• Avery Matysik, Lakewood, New Jersey
• Rebecca Morlan, Evans, Georgia
• Teresa Pierce, Milton, Florida
• Robin Reichwein, Omaha, Nebraska
• Megan Logue Rice, Norcross, Georgia
• Shaniqua Sumby, Arlington, Virginia
• Jennifer Veres, Pike Road, Alabama
• Denise Weinhoeft-Renfro Fayetteville, North Carolina

“The recent mix of remote, hybrid, and in-classroom based learning submissions marked an optimistic transition from this time last year’s proposals that requested funding for fully remote materials and technology tools for distance instruction,” noted AAE senior professional programs manager Melissa Pratt. “The classroom will look different and moving forward, educators are likely to have many new expectations and responsibilities to best serve their students’ needs. We will continue to support our educators through this vital scholarship and grant program.”

The AAE Foundation National Teacher Scholarship and Classroom Grant Program is open to all full-time educators. Applications are considered twice-a-year and evaluated by a volunteer review committee of educators throughout the nation. The next deadline for submissions is October 1, 2021.

The Association of American Educators (AAE) is the largest national, nonunion, professional educator organization, advancing the profession by offering a modern approach to educator empowerment and advocacy—promoting professionalism, collaboration, and excellence without a partisan agenda. AAE is committed to a teaching profession that is student oriented, well respected, and personally fulfilling. AAE serves members in all fifty states and welcomes professionals from all education entities. Membership is $16.50 per month and includes $2 million professional liability insurance, employment rights coverage, professional resources, and many other benefits. Classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, student teachers, university professors, and supporters can learn more at aaeteachers.org.