Annual teacher grants provided by the Panhandle Alliance for Education constitute our signature program. Teacher grants are awarded each year to teachers and administrators who seek support for educational projects, supplies or equipment not otherwise funded. Grant requests are judged for innovation, creativity, collaboration and impact on student learning.
A winning project is innovative, challenging and oriented toward raising student achievement. Panhandle Alliance for Education will consider many types of grants in various categories, as well as several privately funded dedicated grants funded by individual donors. Find out more below about our grant program options.
PAFE GRANT
PROGRAM OPTIONS
TEACHER INVESTMENT GRANT
Panhandle Alliance for Education will invest up to $2,500 to support individual Teacher Grant proposals. A winning project is innovative, challenging and oriented toward raising student achievement. Results are measurable. The project must be completed during the following grant cycle. Priority will be given to projects that involve collaboration – students and teachers working together to achieve success. Projects may involve outside-of-class, voluntary student activity groups. Funds should be used for materials, equipment and services. As a general rule, capital improvements (bricks and mortar) will not be funded. The Grants Committee will consider awards up to $7,500 where two or more teachers propose a joint, collaborative project.
SCHOOL INVESTMENT GRANT
Panhandle Alliance for Education will invest up to $10,000 to support school-wide grant proposals. Priority will be given to projects that test new ideas in teaching methods, address student conduct issues such as harassment and truancy, or aim to improve student success in reading, math, and written communication. The Grants Committee will expect school-wide projects to promote collaboration among teachers, staff and administrators. Results must be measurable.
MASTER CLASS GRANT
Panhandle Alliance for Education will consider proposals for Master Classes offered by leading lights in the arts, humanities and sciences. A grant would pay a modest stipend and, if necessary, travel costs to bring an expert to Bonner County. Priority will be given to programs where the expert combines a lecture, performance or demonstration with intensive individual student contact.
SPECIAL INVESTMENT GRANT
Panhandle Alliance for Education will consider Special Investment Grants – project proposals that do not fit in teacher, school or master class grant categories. The Grants Committee will expect the applicant to address the grant award criteria as applicable. Particular attention should be paid to the cost benefit analysis.
DISTRICT LEADERSHIP GRANT
Panhandle Alliance for Education will invest up to $2,500 to support District Leadership Grants – an opportunity for principals and teachers to seek self-improvement and leadership skills. This is a grant to encourage teachers to get training to prepare themselves for administrative roles, such as attending seminars or continuing education to develop those skills. The Grants Committee will expect the applicant to address the grant award criteria as applicable. Particular attention should be paid to the cost benefit analysis.
PAFE
STAFF
Donor Directed Grants Recognition for Excellence
These special awards recognize the generosity and vision of donors who believe in the power of education to shape students’ futures. Each fund supports a specific area of learning within the Lake Pend Oreille School District (LPOSD), helping teachers bring meaningful learning experiences to life through our annual teacher grants program. The PAFE Grants Committee considers eligible grant applications for these awards, looking for projects that reflect each donor’s interests and intended purpose.
GLASS SLIPPER AWARD FOR INNOVATION:
Established through an endowment gift from Sandpoint residents Georgia and Howard Simmons, the Glass Slipper Award celebrates creativity, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence in education. Georgia was a founding PAFE Board member who played an instrumental role in establishing the organization, and together, Georgia and Howard have continued to invest in local students through this fund.
Annual distributions support teacher grant projects that demonstrate innovation, collaboration among educators, teamwork among students, and strong anticipated outcomes for classroom learning. The Grants Committee prioritizes proposals that bring fresh ideas to the classroom, encourage shared learning and problem-solving, and demonstrate the potential for student impact.
The Glass Slipper Award honors the belief that thoughtful, creative approaches to teaching can make a lasting difference.
Learn more about Georgia and Howard Simmons
BETTY ANN DIEHL GRANT FOR MUSIC AND ARTS EDUCATION:
Made possible through an endowment established by Sandpoint resident Betty Ann Diehl, this award honors Betty’s passion for music and the arts and her desire to create opportunities for local students to explore their creativity.
Annual distributions from Betty’s endowment support teacher-led projects that enrich music and arts education within LPOSD. PAFE Grants Committee prioritizes projects that provide opportunities for students to develop artistic skills, express themselves creatively, and engage in music and the arts.
Learn more about Betty Ann Diehl
DAVE AND LAURIE WALL GRANT FOR MATH AND SCIENCE EDUCATION:
Sandpoint residents Dave and Laurie Wall believe in the importance of math, science, and technology in preparing students for the future. Their fund reflects a commitment to expanding classroom learning and helping students explore these essential disciplines.
Annual distributions from the Dave and Laurie Wall endowment support innovative teacher-led projects in mathematics, science, and technology within LPOSD. The Grants Committee prioritizes projects that deepen student understanding, encourage exploration and problem-solving, and create engaging, hands-on learning opportunities. Dave passed away in Fall 2021, and this enduring fund continues the shared commitment he and Laurie made to local schools.
Learn more about Dave and Laurie Wall
LESLEY GOFFINET GRANT FOR LITERATURE:
Lesley Goffinet loved many things, especially animals and books. She believed that education is a gamechanger and thoughtfully established an endowment to ensure her generosity would continue benefitting her beloved community for generations to come.
Annual distributions from Lesley’s fund support literature education within LPOSD. The Grants Committee prioritizes projects that inspire a love of reading, strengthen literacy skills, and connect students with books, literature, and reading experiences.
Through this lasting gift, Lesley’s belief in the power of education continues to open doors for local students.
Learn more about Lesley Goffinet
ROMEY & STEPHEN AWARD FOR VISUAL ARTS:
Stephen and Romey shared a deep commitment to visual arts and understood the value of mentorship and creative outlets in helping people discover their talents. Following Romey’s passing in November 2020. Stephen was inspired to further their shared legacy and ensure that visual art would continue to enrich the community.
Stephen generously contributed funds to PAFE and LPOSD to establish a new art studio at Sandpoint High School and continues to support visual arts education through endowment distributions.
The Grants Committee prioritizes teacher-led projects that expand access to visual arts, foster creative expressions, and provide students with opportunities to develop artistic skills and explore new techniques and materials.
This award honors Stephen and Romey’s shared artistic legacy and their belief in the lasting value of creative opportunities for students.
