Walden University Announces Grants in Support of Educator for a Day Program

Minneapolis—October 9, 2009—On Nov. 19, 2009, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University will honor schools and educators across the nation with its campaign in support of the National Education Association’s (NEA) Educator for a Day program. Walden will award $5,000 grants to three P–12 schools that host Educator for a Day events as part of the nationwide celebration of NEA’s American Education Week, to be observed Nov. 15–21, 2009.

“Over the past three years, we have received hundreds of creative and thoughtful nominations, and we are inspired by the commitment and vision of the educators who apply for these grants. Walden University, with our rich teacher-education legacy, celebrates and supports the valuable difference educators make in young lives every day,” said Victoria Reid, vice president of The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership.

Teachers who want to nominate their schools must complete a nomination form that consists of short essay questions about their profession, the importance of teachers’ duties, why their school should receive a Walden Educator for a Day grant and what their school would do with the grant. Three schools will be selected by a panel familiar with the issues currently facing P–12 teachers and administrators.

Educators and administrators can nominate their schools for an Educator for a Day grant at www.WaldenU.edu/educatorforaday. The deadline for nominations is Oct. 28, 2009.

Winning schools will officially receive their grants on Nov. 19, 2009. Grants must be used for educational purposes, such as school supplies or educational activities. In addition, recipient schools will be required to arrange for at least one aspiring educator to shadow a teacher during Educator for a Day events.

Walden created the Educator for a Day grant initiative in 2007, and because of its impact on the honored schools and teachers and its success around the country, it was repeated in 2008. Last year’s winning schools—Eastlawn Elementary School in Pascagoula, Miss.; East Auburn Community School in Auburn, Maine; and West View Elementary School, Burlington, Wash.—were selected from hundreds of nominations submitted by faculty and administrators nationwide.

The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden is named in honor of the former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, a leading advocate in advancing education as a national priority. Walden programs serve educators at various stages of their profession, including new and veteran classroom teachers, faculty members and administrators, and career-changers who are interested in teaching in two critical areas of the current teacher shortage: early childhood education and special education.

About Walden University
Since 1970, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 33,000 students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries are pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network—a global network of 45 online and campus-based universities in 20 countries.

Walden offers more than 36 degree programs with more than 140 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration, technology and engineering. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.hlcommission.org.