Langley For Families Foundation typically grants 30 teachers $500 to support new or existing classroom initiatives. But this year was unlike any other, so Langley and the Peninsula Community Foundation together awarded grants to all 75 applicants.
Langley opened the grants to any need from teachers, including technology and classroom supplies. A record number of teachers submitted a request to the Peninsula Community Foundation that manages the application and approval process of the scholarships.
Requests ranged drastically to support in-person classrooms, hybrid learning, and virtual teaching. Requested items included tactile learning tools, headphone sets, computer mice, STEM coding robots, online assessment tools, emotional resource library books, document readers and dry erase boards.
The Peninsula Community Foundation was so moved by the need showcased in the applications that its team generously contributed $10,000 to fund an additional 20 grants. After learning more about the teachers’ requests and Peninsula Community Foundation’s commitment, the leadership team at Langley for Families Foundation recognized the immense need and agreed to contribute the remaining funds to grant all 75 applications that met the program’s requirements.
In total, Langley and the Peninsula Community Foundation will donate $37,500 to 75 Hampton Roads teachers this holiday season to fill the gap as they adapt to a continuously changing classroom environment.
“It means a lot to me and my students that a business such as Langley cares about what they need to be successful independent learners,” said Felicia Ellis, first-grade teacher at James Monroe Elementary.
