Each year, the Fund for Teachers, a national non-profit organization, invites PreK - 12 teachers to design their own curriculum for a Summer research project which will improve teaching and learning in their classrooms. Some of our 2023 FFT Fellows have shared their learning with us, below. HPS Fellows traveled to locations including Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Tokyo, Japan; and Guayaquil, Ecuador. We are so excited to see how their research will grow their teaching practices at Hartford Public Schools.
Dr. Mirtha Aldave, Multilingual Specialist, Hartford Public High School
Dr. Aldave at left
MISSION: Document how the academic curriculum is delivered in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and the Dominican Republic to create a culturally equitable learning environment unique to the MultiLingual/SIFE population where students’ voices are heard and used to increase academic achievement.
Explore Dr. Aldave's summer passport here.
She also shared a collection of reflections and photos here.
Suzanne Almon, Bellizzi Dual Language Academy, Innovation Circle Grant Recipient
MISSION: Research the art, culture, and history of Puerto Rico to expand cultural knowledge and understand cultural identity to create a classroom that is reflective of our Hispanic population.
Explore Ms. Almon's summer passport here.
Mr. Bing Liu 刘兵, Mandarin Chinese Teacher, Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy
MISSION: Participate in a Japanese language and culture immersion program in Tokyo, Japan, to hone language skills and provide a greater understanding of Japanese culture for a new introductory high school course in Japanese (for School Year 2024-2025).
Explore Mr. Liu's summer passport here.
Julie Ann Robinson, Naylor School
MISSION: Undertake a linguistic and cultural immersion experience in Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to expand a Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages curriculum for elementary students to include culturally-relevant forms of music /movement/the arts and more effectively reach students emigrating from Brazil and Portugal.
Explore Ms. Robinson's summer passport here.
Lisandra Rosario, West Middle School
Ms. Rosario at left
MISSION: Undertake a linguistic and cultural immersion experience in Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to expand a Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages curriculum for elementary students to include culturally-relevant forms of music /movement/the arts and more effectively reach students emigrating from Brazil and Portugal.
Explore Ms. Rosario's summer passport here.
About the Fund for Teachers
Fund for Teachers supports educators' efforts to develop skills, knowledge and confidence that impact student achievement. By trusting teachers to design unique fellowships, Fund for Teachers grants validate teachers' professionalism and leadership, as well. Since 2001, Fund for Teachers has invested $35 million in nearly 9,200 teachers, transforming grants into growth for teachers and their students.
See the newest cohorts of FFT Fellows 2023– preK-12 teachers who designed personal learning opportunities that stretch their students and strengthen public, private and charter school communities.
View the names and fellowship descriptions of the 2023 Fellowship grant recipients, here.
View the names and fellowship descriptions of the 2023 Innovation Circle grant recipients, here.
The 2024 application will open on October 1, 2023. Learn more here.