Ms. Polina Mann, a music educator at the St. Lawrence School, has been awarded a classroom grant by the Association of American Educators Foundation (AAEF). The grant will be used to purchase ukuleles.
“Since we will not be able to sing in the fall due to Covid-19 restrictions, I would love to teach my students how to play an instrument,” explained Ms. Mann in her application. “Ukuleles serve a unique role in music education. A student can learn melody, chordal playing, and how to read music all at the same time.”
The AAEF National Scholarship and Grant Program seeks to acknowledge excellence in education through highlighting innovative approaches and best practices. AAE Senior Professional Programs Manager Melissa Pratt who oversees the National Scholarship and Grant Program noted, “Today, the elevated demands placed on all educators due to pandemic-related alternate teaching methods have resulted in impressive new levels of innovation and creativity to reach and engage students across all subject areas.”
The AAE Foundation National Teacher Scholarship and Classroom Grant Program is open to all full-time educators. Applications are considered twice-a-year on a competitive basis and evaluated by a volunteer review committee of educators. The program is now accepting scholarship and grant applications through the next deadline of March, 1, 2021. More details and application information are available aaeteachers.org/awards.