Seeds of Learning Sow Opportunities All Over APS

APS Education Foundation/Join-a-School Seeds of Learning grants enhance teaching and learning for students and teachers in classrooms all over the district, thanks to support and sponsorship from New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union and others.

Students in Mihret Roman's classroom at Kennedy MS enjoy working with the culinary supplies purchased through a Seeds of Learning grant.

April 17, 2012

Almost $12,000 was handed out in small increments to fifty classrooms from the Seeds of Learning program in the 2011-2012 school year.  Requests funded ranged from books for leveled reading activities to technology “add ons” for Promethean Boards to materials and supplies for a learning garden to bullying prevention through cooperative play groups.  Other compelling titles of projects include “Cultivating the Seeds of Reading”,  “Free Bees: A Celle-ebration of Science”, “Yacker Tracker”, “Poetry Slam”, “Zap! Zeroes Aren’t Permitted”,  “STEM/Science and Engineering Team”, and “Colors Tickle My Nose.”  According to Lauren Joule, APSEF Partnerships Manager, “The program has fondly been nicknamed The Hugs Program because staff delivering the check awards to classroom teachers never fail to get a hug and a delighted expression of appreciation.”

The program began several years ago through the interest of New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union.  There was a desire to fund small amounts on a monthly basis so dedicated and innovative teachers could avoid using their own money for exciting and meaningful classroom projects.  The grant awards are given out on a monthly basis from September through March each year.  New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union was so taken by the concept that an SOL Endowment was set up to help fund the program in perpetuity.  The endowment was funded through the NMEFCU Community Rewards program over several years.  Other sponsors, including Cabot Superior Micropowders, Suits Unlimited and Sandia National Laboratories have helped support the program on a year by year basis.  Suits Unlimited developed a program last year called Tuxes for Teachers which gives $10 from every prom tuxedo rental back to the APS Education Foundation for Seeds of Learning.

The APS Education Foundation/Join-a-School Seeds of Learning program’s mission is to provide small grants, under $250, to classroom teachers to enhance and update curriculum, access needed materials and supplies for classroom activities, and bring to life that great idea for teaching and learning.  Submitted projects supported standards-based curriculum and the school Educational Plan for Student Success.  Seeds of Learning will be available to classroom teachers again on or around September 15, 2012.  Check the APSEF website for more information.