Intel Schools of Distinction Awards
The deadline for the Intel Schools of Distinction Award is February 17, 2009. Do you plan to apply? Have you received the grant in the past? We have invited past winners to share the impact of the award on themselves and their district and answer your questions. Please share your thoughts about this excellent award program.
The yearly Intel Schools of Distinction Awards recognize U.S. schools that demonstrate 21st century teaching and learning environments and implement innovative, replicable programs that inspire their students to excel in the areas of math and science. Six winners, one for each grade group (K-5, 6-8, and 9-12) in each category (math and science), will receive $10,000 each from the Intel Foundation and more than $100,000 in products and services from the program award sponsors, as well as a trip to Washington, DC,
2009 Application and 2008 Finalists and Winners
The yearly Intel Schools of Distinction Awards recognize U.S. schools that demonstrate 21st century teaching and learning environments and implement innovative, replicable programs that inspire their students to excel in the areas of math and science. Six winners, one for each grade group (K-5, 6-8, and 9-12) in each category (math and science), will receive $10,000 each from the Intel Foundation and more than $100,000 in products and services from the program award sponsors, as well as a trip to Washington, DC,
2009 Application and 2008 Finalists and Winners
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cassandra Barnes on -
What advice would I give someone who is applying?
Give yourself plenty of time, and don't give up!
I thought that the application process in itself was great professional development. I had to think about what we were doing as a staff in the area of math and how that impacted student achievement. I also had to consider who supported our math program and how they did so, from the school board to the parents in our community. Articulating the school philosophy/mission and our collective belief about mathematics education was daunting. I did not want to misspeak, since I was speaking for all of the stakeholders in our program.
I basically tackled one question at a time, spewing everything I possibly had to say on the subject, and then went back and edited. Anyone who knows me knows that I am long on words, so editing was hard. I had to decide what was most important, what would best communicate who we are as a learning community.
I started plenty early, and worked mostly on the weekends. At one point, I seriously decided that it was too hard, too much work, and we probably wouldn't win anyway. I didn't work on the application for about a month. Then, about two weeks before it was due, I decided that I would always wonder if we would have won, so I had to finish, submit it, and have no regrets. I did finish, but I only had two days for our director to read what I wrote and give me feedback. (I had intended to solicit feedback from the whole staff.) Luckily she decided that staying up late was worth it, and helped me to get it ready to submit. The rest, as they say, is history.
Finding out we were finalists was the most fabulous feeling ever. We were so proud of our school and our students!
Getting ready for our trip to D.C. felt like getting ready for the prom. We were so excited. (Teachers don't get out much, do they?)
If you are even remotely considering applying for this award, I encourage you to go for it. It could lead to a high point in your career!
Cassandra Barnes
Sojourner School
2008 Star Innovator
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Permalink Reply by Catrina on -
Thank you, Cassandra, for sharing your experience with us. Again, congratulations on your success! We love hearing from grant winners, and the way you described your thought process is inspiring and encouraging. I hope other teachers will take the plunge this year and also decide to apply for this award.
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