The Bookish: Readers to Leaders Grant seeks teachers who demonstrate a passion for promoting the joy of reading. Teachers awarded the grant will be able to purchase a curated selection of books to add to their classroom library.  These teachers recognize the diversity of every class of readers and they challenge each student to build an independent reading life of increasing depth. Teachers who apply for a grant must demonstrate that they are already committed to the support of readers through current classroom practices and curate a book collection that represents our changing world. 

• Applicants must be a full-time PreK-12 classroom teacher in any regional public school district. If your teaching position is unclear in your application, we cannot consider you for a grant. If you are awarded a grant and then accept another position in your school district before the grant is awarded (like a coaching or curriculum position), we will be happy for you, but the grant will be voided. Grants cannot be transferred to colleagues.
• Applicant must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to independent reading and book clubs as regular classroom practices.
• Applicant must have a working classroom library. Photos of you and your library are encouraged as part of your application.
• Applicant must be willing to maintain the Readers to Leaders library in the applicant’s classroom. The books received from this grant are not intended for a school-wide library or to be permanently divided among teachers. Creative sharing, however, is always encouraged.
• Applicants must be willing to be included in Bookish promotional materials/website and participate in surveys about the effectiveness of a classroom library in different aspects of education.
• This grant is given to you to support your work as a classroom teacher. It is not given to the school or school district. Please be sure this is clear to your administrators before you apply. If you leave the district, the books go with you.
• Applicants will collect data on books read in order for us to create an ongoing list of books we recommend.
• In order to protect your students, only use first names if referring to students in the application.

DEADLINE: Application deadline is December 20th, 2024.