Pre-service/New Teacher Mini-Grant

What?
A grant for $500.00 is available for a new or preservice teacher to attend the annual Kentucky Reading Association (KRA) conference. This opportunity is designed to encourage new teachers to join a professional organization and become actively involved in the statewide network of teachers, educators, and administrators dedicated to improving literacy for learners across the Commonwealth.

Who?
Any K-12 level educator with 0-3 years teaching experience, who is a member of the Kentucky Reading Association. Applicants that are not current paid members of KRA will not be considered.

When?
Applications due:  5:00PM EST on September 30, 2024

Grants awarded:  October 17-19, 2024 at the Kentucky Reading Association Conference

Grant implementation:  2024-2025 School Year

TThe application consists of a description of your professional teaching narrative and your current resume.  A proposed budget for conference fees totaling $500 must be included. Contact erin.wobbekind@uky.edu if you have questions about the application process.

Applications must be authored by the educator attending the conference. 

Judging Criteria

Winning grant proposals demonstrate:

  • Clearly defined and reasonable narrative that contributes to good teaching and/or literacy practices;

  • Encourages active independent engagement of reading;

  • Practices represent diversity and inclusivity

  • Objectives aligned to and support Kentucky’s Academic Standards

Priority will be given to those educators who are willing to share their knowledge and experience of this project through intent to submit a proposal to present at the KRA Annual Conference, write and submit a brief article for the KRA newsletter, or submit an article for the KRA journal. 

Project Completion and Appraisal

Upon completion of conference attendance; or no later than December 31, 2021, each educator is required to send a written appraisal of the conference.  The appraisal is meant to aid KRA in determining the benefits and outcomes of attending the annual KRA conference.  If an appraisal is not received, the educator will be ineligible for future grants.

NOTE:  Receipts or PO’s are due by June 30, 2025.