The Helen & Edward Brancati Teacher Development Scholarship was begun in memory of our parents who felt that education was the door to the future and that a good teacher was the key.

One scholarship between $750 to $1,000 is awarded annually to the teacher who best exemplifies the dedication to the principles and high professional standards of Helen and Edward Brancati.

WHO MAY APPLY:

1. Any teacher employed by an accredited school in the United States.
2. Classroom teachers seeking post graduate education, or needing funds for required continuing education classes, workshops or conferences as well as for certification courses. Applicants may not use this scholarship money for post graduate classes that will lead to an administrative position removing them from the classroom.
3. The applicant must be a U.S. Citizen.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION:

The grant is awarded on the basis of the applicant demonstrating the ability to create an atmosphere of learning for students across the broad spectrum of a mainstream classroom.
Candidates must:

1. Show proof of employment.
2. Provide a copy of their Teaching Certificate.
3. Provide written evaluations from their school principal and one other person who supervises them in the classroom (i.e. department head, assistant principle, district representative).
4. Outline your plan for how these funds will be used to increase your professional development or enhance your classroom.
5. Provide an original essay of approximately 500 words as to why you became a teacher and how this scholarship will benefit you and your future students.
6. If the applicant is currently enrolled in a post graduate program, proof of enrollment or their most recent transcript must be provided.

SELECTION PROCESS:
After the initial review of the applications to assure that they are complete each applicant’s letter of recommendation, essay and any other materials the candidate has provided will be evaluated. The scholarship will be awarded directly to the university or educational institution that the recipient will be attending for post graduate or certification courses. If in the sole opinion of the trustees of the grant, no applicant meets all the criteria, a recipient will not be selected.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

A complete application consists of six parts:

1. A completed, signed formal application
2. Two written evaluations – one from his/her principal and one from another qualified supervisor
3. Proof of employment
4. Copy of Teaching Certificate
5. Outline of how you plan to use these funds
6. A typewritten 500 word essay

Application must be received between September 1 and October 31, 2008.
All submissions must be postmarked by October 31, 2008

For an application, visit: www.eastendbookstore.com and click on the Scholarship link
-or-
www.capecoralcf.org and click on the Scholarship link.

ALL APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED TO:

The Cape Coral Community Foundation
Helen & Edward Brancati Teacher Development Scholarship
4729 Vincennes Boulevard
Cape Coral, FL 33904

For more information contact
John Brancati at
(631) 324-8680 info@eastendbookstore.com
-or-
Beth Sanger, Executive Director
Cape Coral Community Foundation
(239) 542-5594 beth@capecoralcf.org

Click link for downloadable Application in pdf format. Please print out at return to above address.

Miguel Angel Gomez selected for Teacher Grant

The Directors of the Helen & Edward Brancati Teacher Professional Development Grant are pleased to announce that this year’s recipient is Miguel Angel Gomez of Fresno, CA. Mr. Gomez was selected from a pool of applicants from 19 states.

Mr. Gomez teaches history and is a JV Girls Soccer Coach at Parlier High School. He is also active with the CSU Monterey Bay Road Runner Club whose mission is to promote the idea that all students can attend college if given the tools. Mr. Gomez plans to use his award to continue his education at CSU Fresno by taking courses in Advanced Teaching Strategies, Reading Strategies and Intermediate Hmong in the spring semester. The committee felt that by continuing his own education he was definitely leading by example.

Helen and Edward Brancati’s children began this Endowment in memory of their parents. The Brancati’s were ardent supporters of the public school system and the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) tutoring program for adults. They felt that education was the door to the future and that a good teacher was the key.

One $1,000 grant is awarded each December to the teacher who best exemplifies the dedication to the principles and high professional standards of Helen and Edward Brancati. Applications are accepted each year between September 1 and October 31.