REAL Teacher Appreciation: 200 Travel and Funding Opportunities!

For Teacher Appreciation Day and Week, people often want gift ideas… but here’s a better plan:

Share this treasure trove of over 200 funded teacher travel and global education opportunities, and help a great educator (maybe YOU) win a grant or fellowship!

Teachers reading this know: a free trip to another state or country is far more life-changing than any mug… much as we love our coffee!

How to use this giant list of resources:

If you are a teacher, you have just found a one-stop-shop gold mine of hundreds of resources for global education fellowships, conferences, grants, institutes, funding, and more — for both professional development and pleasure. Browse, scroll, and win! You can also get help from Andi (the creator of this list) in picking and applying to these scholarships — just comment below or email teachandtraveltheworld at gmail dot com.

If you’re not a teacher but know one, consider celebrating Teacher Appreciation Day or Week by looking through this huge list, finding an option that could fit a certain great educator, then sending it to them with the offer to help get the program application done.

Many of these opportunities listed below are won by the same small group of teachers over and over again because few other educators know such grants exist… or if they find them, they feel too overwhelmed by the paperwork. YOU can help change that in order to share the free travel and funding more equitably!

Who created this directory of teacher grants, fellowships, and opportunities?

The author of this amazing resource is an educator named Andi Webb who was previously featured on Teaching Traveling in the interview entitled, “18 Teacher Travel Grants.” That article has been read by thousands of people so far, but Andi realized there were countless other opportunities that are not mentioned there.

Thus, she has spent the past year tirelessly researching and creating this directory, and I (Lillie Marshall) have spent the past months on the formatting and tech end to bring it all to YOU! I will now shift into interview format to hand it over to Andi so you can get your hands on the list.

Teaching Traveling: Welcome back, Andi! Tell us about your background.

Andi: A proud Tar Heel born and bred, I love my home of North Carolina. Equally as much as I love home, I also love to travel. I am a wanderer with wanderlust. At the time I am writing this, I am living in Arlington, Virginia as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow.

When I am home, I am homesick for other parts of the world. When I travel, I miss my family and friends. This is the dilemma of those of us who have left our hearts in many places.

I love to read and always have a book in hand. (The second half of this article features global education texts I recommend.) When I get to know people well, I am a bit of a prankster. When I don’t know people well, they often think I’m quiet. (I’m not!)

I am adventurous and love trying new things. Immersing myself in cultures different than my own is something I love. I am a vegetarian and animal advocate. My area of expertise in education is with lower grades.

I hope you will find some useful information both educationally and culturally within this document. I am a teacher who loves learning about education around the world and helping other educators explore the globe as well.

My goal in compiling this information is to give all teachers an easy-to-access, one-stop-shop for some extremely valuable information. I hope this directory is particularly helpful for new teachers as they launch their careers and see all the possibilities there are in education.

Want help on applying for one of these travel grants? I offer support for applications, can answer questions, and help review applications for an agreed upon fee based on the needs of individuals. I’m flexible and can adjust based on needs, time, and financial resources. I just want to help others and pay it forward. If interested, leave a comment below, and Lillie can connect you to me, or message me directly at teachandtraveltheworld at gmail dot com.

TT: Wonderful! Let’s jump right into your list of 200 teacher travel grants, fellowships, institutes, and funding opportunities!

A: Excellent. I’ve divided them by alphabetical chunks so they are more easily digested. Within each chart, you can scroll down to see all the opportunities. If you are on a mobile device, you can slide the table horizontally to see the description on the right. Here we go…

A-C Teacher Opportunities:

D-F Teacher Opportunities:

G-L Teacher Opportunities:

M-O Teacher Opportunities:

P-S Teacher Opportunities:

T-Z Teacher Opportunities:

TT: What a wonderful, useful list!

Now, what tips for applications do you have for winning grants and fellowships?

A: Here are my tried-and-tested tips for applications:

• Thoroughly read directions. This may seem self-explanatory but is important!
• Keep all deadlines on a calendar so they are not missed.
• Correct spelling and grammar are imperative.
• Read and reread all questions and be sure to answer them.
• Adhere to word and character counts.
• Explain acronyms if you use them. Ex: National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).
• Try to avoid educational jargon and buzzwords when possible.
• Avoid assuming the reviewers are educators.
• Have others review your application but be careful not to have too many voices because then thoughts can be overwhelming.
• If recommendations are needed, be sure to ask well in advance, and thank your recommenders, preferably with a written thank you card.
• Be sure all aspects of the application have been thoroughly completed prior to submission.
• If accepted, be gracious and willing to help others in the future!
• If not accepted, persevere. Try again!

TT: Excellent advice. Now, what other global education links, resources, and articles do you recommend?

A: Some other great resources can be found at the following links:

Travel and Conference Grants:

Google Conference Grants

Mathematics Education Conferences

40 Humanities Fellowships for Research and Study

The Women’s Travel Group

Social Media Global Education Resources

Scholarships, Grants, and Summer Institutes for Teachers

Teachers on the Move: Programs, Grants, and Scholarships for K-12 Teachers

Twitter: #GlobalEd Hashtag to follow and use

FritzWire

Professional Education Organizations

Student Success Goes Global (Andi’s Writings)

Andi’s Articles on Education NC:
There is an article featured here that I titled Educational Angels. I was blessed to have teachers who helped me love school and I have had angels guide me along my journey always. For that, I am most grateful.

Miscellaneous GlobalEd Information and Links

Kimbo Music for music around the world

Ramblin Randy in North Korea

My Education Discount

And my most favorite blog of all time… the one and only Teaching Traveling!

TT: Aww, thanks! Can you help explain some of the education and government acronyms used for these grants and fellowships?

A: Yes! Here’s my list of Education and Government/Organization Acronyms, Explained:

AAAS – American Association for the Advancement of Science

AASA – In 1870, the National Association of School Superintendents along with the American Normal School Association merged with the National Teachers Association to create the National Education Association. Within the NEA, the Department of Superintendents was formed. Decades later, in the 1930s, the administrators decided to break away and became the American Association of School Administrators. Today, we are known as AASA, The School Superintendents Association.

ACE – American Council on Education

ACICS – Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools

AEE – Alliance for Excellent Education

AFSCME – American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

AFT – American Federation of Teachers

AGI – American Geosciences Institute

AGU – American Geophysical Union

AIAA – American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

AIR – American Institutes for Research

ASCD – Association for the Supervision of Curriculum and Development

BPC – Bipartisan Policy Center

CBO – Congressional Budget Office

CECC – Congressional Executive Commission on China

CEE – Center for Excellent Education

CER – Center for Education Reform

CPI – Crisis Prevention Institute

CR – Congressional Record

CRDC – Civil Rights Data Collection

CRS – Congressional Resource Services

DCL – Dear Colleague Letter

Department of Education- Known as “Ed” or “The Department”

DOE – Department of Energy

DPCC – Democratic Policy and Communications Committee

FAPE – Free Appropriate Public Education

FCC – Federal Communications Commission

FFA – Future Farmers of America

HELP – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on the Senate (Senate version of Education and Labor on the House)

IEP – Individualized Education Plan

IES – Institute of Education Sciences

ILA – International Literacy Association

IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change

JJ – Juvenile Justice

KIPP – Public Charter Schools (Not an acronym but you’ll hear of KIPP.)

LCCR – The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, formerly called the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights

MAA – Mathematical Association of America

NAEP – National Assessment of Educational Progress (Nation’s Report Cards)

NCPE – National Coalition for Public Education

NCSS – National Council for the Social Studies

NCTE – National Council for Teachers of English

NCTM – National Council for Teachers’ of Mathematics

NEA – National Education Association (Read about the NEA Global Learning Fellowship here)

NSF – National Science Foundation

NED – National Endowment for Democracy

NSTA – National Science Teachers’ Association

OHCHR – Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

OMB – Office of Management and Budget

OSTP – (White House) Office of Science and Technology Policy

PBIS – Positive Behavior Interventions and Support

PD – Professional Development

PDP – Professional Development Plan

PRA – Paper Reduction Act

QFR – Quarterly Finance/Financial Report

SIP – School Improvement Plan

SIT – School Improvement Team

SST – Student Services Team

TPS – Temporary Protected Status

WCAG – Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

Here is a quizlet to test your knowledge of these acronyms! 

TT: Nice! What are some groups and organizations potential teacher travelers should be aware of?

A: Here is my list of Groups and Organizations to Know (Not Exhaustive):

American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

American Enterprise Institute (AEI)

Aspen Institute

Bipartisan Policy Institute (BPI)

Brookings Institution

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Cato Institute

Center for American Progress (CAP)

Economic Policy Institute (EPI)

EdNC

Thomas Fordham Institute

Heritage Foundation

Hoover Institution

Institute of International Education (IIE)

Learning Policy Institute (LPI)

NAFSA (International Education)

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

National Education Association (NEA)

Penn Hill Group

Politico and Politico Pro

RAND Corporation

Shanker Institute

Stimson Center

United States Institute of Peace

Urban Institute

Worldwatch Institute

TT: Excellent. What Global Education books do you recommend?

A: Here is my suggested book list for Social Studies and Global Education at the elementary level, adaptable for all grades and ages!

Books for All Around the World:

The Seven Continents by Wil Mard

Explore Earth’s Seven Continents by Bobbie Kalman

The ABCs of Continents by Bobbie Kalman

Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney

Around-the-World Art and Activities: Visiting the Seven Continents Through Craft Fun by Betsy Day/Judy Press

My World & Globe: from the seven continents to the seven seas, Katmandu to Kalamazoo: an interactive first book of geography by Ira Wolfman and Paul Meisel

Books by Evan Moor: North America, South America, Australia and Oceania, Europe, Asia, Antarctica

Where is My Continent? By Robin Nelson

Kids Around the World Cook!: The Best Foods and Recipes from Many Lands by Arlette N. Braman

Kids Around the World Create: The Best Crafts and Activities from Many Lands by Arlette N. Braman and Ariette Braman

Kids Around the World Play!: The Best Fun and Games from Many Lands by Arlette N. Braman

Kids Around the World by Donna Rice

Kids Around the World Cookbook by Deri Robins

Families Around the World by Margriet Ruurs

Around the World We Go! by Margaret Wise Brown

School Days Around the World by Margriet Ruurs

At the Same Moment, Around the World by Clotilde Perrin

Around the World: Hair by Kate Perry

Around the World: Playtime by Kate Perry

Around the World: Home by Kate Perry

Around the World with Mouk by Marc Boutavant

Homes Around the World by Donna Rice

Around the World by John Coy

School Days Around the World by Catherine Chambers

A Ticket Around the World by Natalia Diaz and Melissa Owens

Farms Around the World by Catherine Veitch

Easy Snacks from Around the World by Heather Alexander

This is the Way We Eat Our Lunch: A Book about Children Around the World by Edith Baer

This is the Way We Go to School by Edith Baer

Throw Your Tooth on the Roof by Selby Beeler

It’s Back to School We Go!: First Day Stories From Around the World by Ellen Jackson

A School Like Mine: A Unique Celebration of Schools Around the World by DK Publishing and Unicef

Our Grandparents: A Global Album by Maya Ajmera

My School in the Rainforest: How Children Attend School Around the World by Margriet Ruurs

Off to Class: Incredible and Unusual Schools Around the World by Susan Hughes

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman

How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the USA by Marjorie Priceman

North America by Karen Bush Gibson

South America by Karen Bush Gibson

Europe by Karen Bush Gibson

Asia by Adam R. Schaefer

Africa by Adam R. Schaefer

Australia by Xavier Niz

Antarctica by Adam R. Schaefer

Ice Continent: A Story of Antarctica by Louise O. Young

Books About Global Holidays:

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Christmas by Deborah Heiligman and National Geographic Society Staff

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Halloween by Deborah Heiligman and National Geographic Society Staff

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Ramadan by Deborah Heiligman and National Geographic Society Staff

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Hanukkah by Deborah Heiligman and National Geographic Society Staff

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Thanksgiving by Deborah Heiligman and National Geographic Society Staff

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Diwali by Deborah Heiligman and National Geographic Society Staff

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Passover by Deborah Heiligman and National Geographic Society Staff

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Easter by Deborah Heiligman and National Geographic Society Staff

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Independence Day by Deborah Heiligman and National Geographic Society Staff

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: With Honey, Prayers, and the Shofar by Deborah Heiligman and National Geographic Society Staff

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Kwanzaa by Carolyn B. Otto

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo by Carolyn B. Otto

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Valentine’s Day by Carolyn B. Otto

Holidays Around the World by Joan O’Brien (A Coloring Book)

Kids Around the World Celebrate: The Best Feasts and Festivals from Many Lands by Lynda Jones

Happy New Year Around the World by Sylvia Walker

Santa is Coming to Canada by Steve Smallman

A Halloween Scare in Canada by Steve Smallman
Christmas in Mexico by Cheryl L. Enderlein

The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola

The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola

The Legend of the Christmas Tree by Rick Osborne

The Legend of the Christmas Tree by Robert Mangus

The Legend of the Christmas Stocking by Rick Osborne

The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg

The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving by Dandi Daley Mackall

The Legend of Mistletoe and the Christmas Kittens by Joe Troiano

Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend by Julie Stiegemeyer

Legend of the Christmas Rose by William H. Hooks

The Candle in the Window: A Christmas Legend by Grace Johnson

The Tree of Cranes by Allen Say

Books About Good Citizenship:

Do Something for Others: The Kids’ Book of Citizenship by Anders Henson

Top 10 Tips for Ethical Living and Good Citizenship by Joe Craig

How Full is Your Bucket? by Carol McCloud

Will You Fill My Bucket?: Daily Acts of Love Around the World by Carol McCloud

Fill A Bucket: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Young Children by Carol McCloud and Katherine Martin

My Bucketfilling Journal by Carol McCloud

Halle and Tiger with Their Bucketfilling Family by Peggy Johncox

True Bucketfilling Stories: Legacies of Love by Stacey A. Lundgren

The Crayon Box That Talked by Shane Derolf

Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Change: Courageous Actions Around the World by Garth Sundem

The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others by Bob Sornson and Maria Mismondy

Bully by Patricia Polacco

Confessions of a Former Bully by Trudy Ludwig

Jungle Bullies by Steven Kroll

The Berenstain Bears’ Kindness Counts by Jan Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears’ Forget Their Manners by Stan Berenstain

Books About World History:

People Who Changed the World by Jacqueline Dineen

The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank

Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Wartime Sarajevo by Zlata Filipovic

Heroes for Civil Rights by David Adler

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Cole

Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Young Shelton

Harriet Tubman and the Freedom Train by Sharon Gayle

The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History by Jennifer Armstrong

Native American Heroes by Ann Mcgovern

Great Native Americans by Peter F. Copeland

Sitting Bull: Dakota Boy by Augusta Stevenson

Sacagawea: American Pathfinder by Flora Warren Seymour

George Washington’s Teeth by Deborah Chandra

Presidents by James David Barber

Queen Elizabeth II by Robert Green

Helen Keller: The Story of My Life by Helen A. Keller

Who Was Alexander Graham Bell? by Bonnie Badar

I Am Albert Einstein by Brad Meltzer

Louis Braille: Inventors and Scientists by Madeline Donaldson

Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr

Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Clara Barton by Candice Ransom

The Lewis and Clark Expedition by John Perritano

Vladimir Lenin by Kathleen McDermott

The Great Fire of London by Gillian Clements

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World by Malala Yousafzai

Famous People of the Middle Ages by Donna Trembinski

Books About Needs and Wants:

Lily Learns About Wants and Needs by Lisa Bullard

Need It or Want It? by Colleen Hord

The Global Economy by Hugh Roome

A Kid’s Guide to the Economy by Tamra Orr

The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble With Money by Stan Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense by Stan Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears’ Piggy Bank Blessings by Jan Berenstain

Books on Specific Countries:

National Geographic Countries of the World (a series with many different countries)

North America by Libby Koponen

Introducing North America by Chris Oxlade

North America by Rebecca Hirsch

Explorers of North America by Christine Taylor-Butler

Canada by Michael Hurley

Canada by Guek-Cheng Pang

Canada: the People by Bobbie Kalman

Little Canada by Matt Napier

Canada by Elaine Landau

Mexico by Elaine Landau

My Mexico by Tony Johnston

Mexico by Michael Dahl

Greenland byJean F. Blashfield

Little Bear: A Folktale from Greenland by Dawn Casey

Iceland by Jennifer A. Miller

We Live in Brazil: Kids Around the World by Francois-Xavier Freeland

Brazil ABCs: A Book about the People and Places of Brazil by David Seidman

Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme by Marianne Berkes

A Walk in the Rainforest by Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini

The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry

Argentina: A Question and Answer Book by Mary Engler

Costa Rica by Tracey West

Spotlight on Peru by Robin Johnson

Chile by Jennifer A. Miller

Guatemala ABCs: A Book about the People and Places of Guatemala by Marcie Aboff

It’s Cool to Learn About Countries: Turkey by Franchino

D is for Dala Horse: A Nordic Countries Alphabet by Kathy-jo Wargin

Feathers: A Jewish Tale from Eastern Europe by Heather Forest

Germany by Henry Russell

Italy by Robert Anderson

Poland by Charlotte Guillan

Spain by Charlotte Guillan

E is for Eiffel Tower by Helen L. Wilbur

The Eiffel Tower by Meg Greene

Rome by Christine Dugan

Countries of the World: Russia by Henry Russell

Babushka’s Doll by Patricia Polacco

D is for Dancing Dragon: A Chinese Alphabet by Carol Crane

We’re from Indonesia by Emma Lynch

Kids Around the World: We Live in China by Pascal Pilon and Elizabeth Thomas

Colors of China by Shannon Zemlicka

C is for China by Sungwan So

The Great Wall of China by Leonard Everett Fisher

We Live in Japan: Kids Around the World by Alexander Messager

We Live in India by Philippe Godard

North Korea by Tara Walters

South Korea by Tara Walters

Australia by Kate Turner

Australia by Rebecca Hirsch

Australia: The Culture by Erinn Banting

Australia: The People by Erinn Banting

This is Australia by Miroslav Sasek

New Zealand by Lyn Larson

New Zealand ABCs: A Book about the People and Places of New Zeland by Holly Schroeder

Miscellaneous Global Education Books:

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Stephanie’s Ponytail by Robert Munsch

Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

Just the Way I Am (7 Habits of Happy Kids Series #1) by Sean Covey

A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon

Sheila Rae, the Brave by Kevin Henkes

Wish: Wishing Traditions Around the World by Roseanne Thong

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Peanut Butter and Cupcake by Terry Border

Old Turtle and the Broken Truth by Douglas Wood

Owen and Mzee by Craig Hatkoff

TT: Wonderful global education book suggestions! Now, what advice do you have for people wanting help navigating this huge treasure trove of resources?

A: I know it’s a lot to digest, but even following one of these links for more information is worth it!

For people who want specific help on which grants are right for YOU, I am available for hire as a personal teacher grant/travel consultant — just reach out to me in the comments section here or at teachandtraveltheworld at gmail dot com.

TT: WOW! Now these opportunities are REAL teacher appreciation ideas! I hope educators take full advantage of these grants, fellowships, institutes, opportunities, acronyms, and global education book recommendations.

If you’re not an educator, do share this with a teacher who could use it!

Readers, what questions are comments do you have for Andi?