Funding

Explore organizations that might provide funding, grants, or reimbursement for professional development

• University student associations (e.g., The Ohio State University Professional Development Grants for Faculty and Students)

• Local educators/teachers’ union

• District or school Parent-Teacher Organizations

• State Education Agency grants

• State Education Association grants (e.g., Ohio Educational Foundational Grants)

• NEA Learning and Leadership grants

• American Federation of Teachers Innovation Funds

• The National Endowment for the Humanities grants

• Rotary Club International grants

• Lions Club International grants

• Qatar Foundation International (QFI educational organization): Professional Development funds for Arabic instructors in universities and high schools 

• Education crowdfunding sites, if allowable by your school. (e.g., Donors Choose).

• Miscellaneous education grants (e.g., Fund for Teachers, fellowship grants)

Informally inquire about the possibility of attending OFLA conferences.

• Example: OWLA’s Conference happens this ___________ (insert month here). It is the local professional learning opportunity available for world language educators in Ohio. You can learn more about it on the OWLA website. Attending is a way for me to meet leading teacher voices in the state, research scholars, and language experts to continue my growth in service of building our students’ intercultural communicative competence. May I access funds to support this important experience for me?

Formally state your case for attendance at OWLA conferences. Sample Administrator Letter. 

• Note: A best practice is to lift up the anticipated impact that attending will have on your instructional practices and that of your colleagues (e.g., by presenting back to them key takeaways from the professional learning upon returning), and therefore, on student learning and achievement.