Walden University Extends $5,000 Grants to Five PreK–12 Schools

Minneapolis—September 6, 2012—As a call to action for teachers and administrators to invite aspiring educators, community leaders, parents and friends into their classrooms as “shadow teachers” during American Education Week (Nov. 11–17), The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University will award $25,000 in grants to preK–12 schools that host Educator for a Day events on Thursday, Nov. 15.

2011 Educator for a Day grant recipients

Five schools will be selected from those nominated to each receive a $5,000 grant to enhance their classroom education, provide educational technology or supplies or sponsor educational activities. Grants will be awarded based on answers to essay questions about what non-educators should know about the school, what makes the school unique and what the school would do with the grant.

Schools that receive a grant will be required to arrange shadowing opportunities during their Educator for a Day events on Thursday, Nov. 15. Educators and administrators can nominate their schools at www.WaldenU.edu/educatorforaday. The deadline for nominations is Oct. 15.

“As a way to pay tribute to the rich culture in New Orleans, our school invited musicians, visual artists, actors and others to our Educator for a Day event. The artists inspired our students, and the shadow educators realized what an impact they could have on students in their community,” said Rebecca Crenshaw, a music teacher at Crocker Arts and Technology School in New Orleans, a 2011 grant recipient. “Funds from the grant were used to purchase instruments to begin a Crocker CATS String Orchestra as well as to purchase materials for arts integration in the classroom, leaving a lasting impact on our school.”

Now in its sixth year, thousands of students, teachers and administrators have benefitted from $85,000 in Educator for a Day grants awarded to schools in 17 states and Puerto Rico. Walden started the grant program to honor schools and educators in support of the National Education Association’s Educator for a Day program.

“Each year, our Educator for a Day grants inspire more schools to open their doors, giving their communities an opportunity to see and experience the impact teachers have in our nation’s classrooms,” said Dr. Kate Steffens, dean of Walden’s Riley College of Education and Leadership. “We are proud to continue supporting and inspiring teachers and administrators who make a difference in the lives of young people all around the country.”

The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University, accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), is the choice of more than 52,000 students and alumni who are leaders in their classrooms and schools, including more than 70 state teachers of the year. The college is dedicated to improving educator effectiveness and preparing educators to make a positive impact on student achievement. For more information about degree programs in the Riley College of Education and Leadership, visit www.WaldenU.edu/education.

About Walden University
For more than 40 years, 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 48,500 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries are pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees online 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 more than 60 campus-based and online universities in 29 countries.

Walden offers more than 65 degree programs with more than 330 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration and information technology. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, http://www.hlcommission.org.