Go Beyond…Be Brave…Discover
“The educators that I met along the way were the most inspiring part of my experience. We formed a network of teachers from ten states along with our wonderful host teacher from Finland and will stay in constant contact throughout this school year and beyond.” — Courtney Carroll
“The Foundation asks that you stay curious.”
Each year the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation partners with Fund For Teachers to help Ohio public school teachers grow as professionals by engaging in learning experiences all over the world. A national organization based in Houston, Texas, Fund For Teachers supports outstanding teachers who think big about their personal and professional improvement and are willing to take risks to pursue greatness. The Foundation is very proud to be one of their local partners, supporting teachers from Ohio to join their group of annual Fellows. These teachers design educational experiences that take them to destinations within the US and around the globe. The journeys, which take place during the summer, are well thought out, personal, and in some instances, the fulfillment of lifelong dreams. Ultimately these unique experiences will enrich their practice, strengthen their schools and communities, and support student success.
Applications are now open for the 2024 Fund For Teachers program.
Here are reflections from teachers who have taken part in this amazing experience:
Amanda Schaeffer, Innovative Learning Hub, Hilliard City Schools
Traveled to Lisbon, Portugal and Madrid, Spain to learn about street art and how it is used to represent the voice of people
“I was most surprised about my courage to face tough obstacles, my fearlessness in the face of uncertainty, and the ability to create connections to other people despite language barriers. The experience transformed me and in turn transformed my teaching practice. I see the world with new eyes and see the value of my gifts in it.”
Courtney Carroll, Waterville Primary School
Traveled to Finland, Estonia, and Sweden to learn about their educational system
“I knew going into the experience that Finland was known for their education system and the progress they were making. I would never have understood why that was without experiencing their culture first hand. The values they have as a society are the reason they have such an amazing education system that focuses not only on learning but on being a contributing and responsible member of society. This experience not only made me a better educator, but a better person.”
Kristin Kercher, Spanish Teacher, Windham Jr. & Sr. High School
Traveled to Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica with a group of teachers for a cultural immersion teaching workshop
“My primary goal was cultural immersion, but I also had the benefit of being in community with a group of Spanish teachers for a workshop on teaching using acquisition driven instruction. Personally, I was surprised at how difficult it was for me to open up within the group because of my own insecurities. It was easier for me to speak Spanish to a taxi driver than to a colleague. By the end of the trip, I felt I had made so much progress with my willingness to step out and be vulnerable. The personal connections I made were life-changing. The group setting really opened so many new possibilities for my teaching. In a department of one at a small school, I was missing the perspective that a supportive colleague can provide. Staying in touch with the group I traveled with has really breathed new life into my professional development.”
Kristy DiSalle, Amy Boros, and Mike Dick with Costa Rican school children after teaching them the Hokey Pokey in English.
Amy Boros, Hull Intermediate School, Perrysburg Local Schools
Traveled to Costa Rica to observe its biodiversity and conservation efforts alongside expert naturalists
“Costa Rica features 11 microclimates in an area the size of West Virginia. I didn't expect to experience most of them! Every day, we met a local guide, naturalist, or biologist whose passion for conservation and pride in their country was truly inspirational. Each day we were pleasantly surprised by the adventures that awaited us. We had the very personal experience of meeting Jack Ewing, an author and environmentalist, who is known as the Father of Conservation in Costa Rica. He is a pioneer of Costa Rican conservation and "re-wilding" efforts to bring back rainforest areas with much success! The Costa Rican government actually pays landowners to forest their yards to create wildlife corridors and to protect native plants and animals. Similarly, I encourage my students to have "pocket prairies" in their yards, where native plants can attract pollinator, and provide habitats for bees and butterflies.”
A group of eight Ohio teachers traveled to Olympic National Park in Washington state for a five day nature workshop sponsored by the National Park Service.
Josh Flory, Olentangy Hyatts Middle School
Traveled to Olympic National Park in Washington State to engage in science fieldwork and learn new ways of connecting students to the outdoors
“I was hoping to learn about the geology of the Pacific Northwest including the active plate boundaries in that region. I was also hoping to collect stories and experiences from a very different part of the country to bring back to my students in hopes of helping them make connections beyond their usual experiences. I accomplished both of these goals and more. I won't forget standing at the mouth of the Elwha River where it empties into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Beneath our feet were years of sediment that had accumulated behind the dams. Bald eagles were soaring overhead, and other creatures were starting to inhabit this new land. This reminded me to work collaboratively, patiently, and persistently toward a classroom experience that reflects the knowledge and skills my students need to improve the world they are inheriting. This experience reminded me that I can't teach my content area in a bubble. The real world is interdisciplinary and full of complexity. My students thrive when they are challenged with content that does not have a nice, neat answer, but instead leads to more questions and curiosity.”
Pete Barnes, New Albany Intermediate School
Traveled to Olympic National Park in Washington State to engage in science fieldwork and learn new ways of connecting students to the outdoors
Pete Barnes, who traveled with seven colleagues, says he was amazed by the variety of ecosystems, the different types of experiences, and especially the incredible trees in Olympic: “The Sitka spruce, Douglas firs, and Western hemlocks are just enormous and so incredibly beautiful.”
“I hoped to learn ways to inspire students to enjoy nature, to better understand the natural world, and to look with curiosity at the world around them. I was inspired by the teachers in our group [in addition to the ones he traveled with from Ohio]. I think there were 15 different states represented in the group. There were just so many cool people doing stuff in their classrooms that had never occurred to me. I did my best to talk to each of them individually---at meals, on the bus, or just during down time. I learned a lot from our speakers and leaders, but the other teachers were truly inspiring. The experience has enhanced my teaching by helping me create a network of teachers with similar interests and passions.”
“We had the opportunity to visit a local school, and saw how the school embraces the idea of the whole child and teaches so much more than just reading and math. The school has a garden that the students take care of and the food grown is used for lunches. They make due with so little but students are enriched by their experiences at school.”
Jessica Anderson, Litchfield Middle School, Akron Public Schools
Traveled to Costa Rica to complete two service projects
“During this fellowship I was hoping to challenge myself by getting out of my comfort zone and doing activities that scare me, including white water rafting and taking on the rope bridges high above the Monteverde Cloud Forest. I was also hoping that by participating in two service projects that I could inspire students in our building that one person can make a difference. This fellowship inspired me in many ways. My attitude and perspective impact my experiences, being open to new things and facing challenges makes me a better person. The most important thing I have carried with me and try to share with my students is that like butterflies, we all must struggle to become the best version of ourselves.”
Kristin Delk (l.) and Joy McKarns (r.) traveled to El Salvador because the Latino population in their district is growing. Many do not speak English and they believed they did not have the cultural awareness to properly serve these students.
Joy McKarns, Northmont Middle School
Traveled to El Salvador to experience the culture, language, and school and community functions
“We hoped to learn more about Latino culture, learn some working Spanish, and become more empathetic and culturally aware for our students. What inspired us most is the incredible way were we welcomed by locals. We ate several meals with friends from San Salvador and were given the opportunity to visit a school, church, and Salvadoran homes. A delightful surprise was our visit to the school. We didn't know what to expect, but we were treated to an amazing presentation of Salvadoran culture, food, dance, song, and the most amazing students. What inspired me was the kindness and hospitality I was shown in an environment that clearly was suffering with poverty and crime. It inspired me to come back to the US and make sure our Latino students were shown that kind of welcoming kindness, support, and hospitality. Not only my teaching changed, but I changed.”