PURPOSE:  To recognize and promote excellence in education

GOAL: To improve the quality of teaching by rewarding exceptional instructors with grants based on meritorious performance.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: The instructional staff of public schools in the Amarillo city limits.  There will be no restriction on the academic subject matter being taught.  The purpose of the grant award is to recognize individual efforts in teaching; therefore, group applications are discouraged.  Employees or the family of employees of the O'Brien Foundation directors will not be eligible for grants.

NATURE OF THE GRANT: This grant is intended as a reward for past performance.  Continuing education will not be restricted to formal study.  For example, a history teacher could apply for a grant to travel in Europe or a chemistry teacher could apply for a grant to do research.  However, OPPORTUNITIES NORMALLY NOT AVAILABLE TO AREA TEACHERS WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY.    

AMOUNT OF THE GRANT: Grant amounts will not be restricted, but will be judged on reasonableness and worthiness.  The amount of funds available and the number of worthy applications will restrict the number of grants.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION: The foundation board will select the recipients based upon the quality of past performance as a teacher, the worthiness of the application, references from peers, administrators and past students and other relevant criteria to the Foundation's goal.  While all criteria are considered, it is proof of past superior performance that is weighed foremost in the decision making progress.  An individual interview may be required.  As there will be more applications than available funds, lack of funding does not imply lack of worthiness.

METHOD OF APPLICATION: Formal applications must be made stating the nature of the grant requested, a breakdown of funds, as well as information that would be pertinent to the qualifications of the individual for the award. 

The applicant must include a letter of endorsement from one of the following:  

1.  The PTA/PTO/Excellence Council

2. The pricipal

3. A group of three or more peers in the same field of study from the public school system

4. A group of three professors from institutions of higher education

Each campus principal or support group is limited to one recommendation per year.  Endorsements may include any criteria relevant to supporting the teacher as one of exceptional merit.

FORM OF APPLICATION: There is no formal form for the application.  A suggested format would include:

• Purpose of the grant

• Amount of funds requested

• Teacher background

• Special qualifications of teacher  

• Additional information   

• Endorsements - separate document

STIPULATIONS:

• The grant will be available only to applicants who have been teaching in the Amarillo area for three years and who are willing to continue teaching in Amarillo for three years.

• Grants that require leaves of absence would have to comply with school board policy.

• No grants will be made with any remuneration for the applicant's time.

• Grants will not fund the cost of books and materials or film.

DEADLINE:  Applications should be submitted to The John and Mary O'Brien Foundation for Academic Excellence, Box 9598, Amarillo, Texas 79105 or hand delivered to 800 S. Monroe by February 1, 2000.  Reapplication will be considered; qualified applicants who have never received a grant are given priority.

Additional questions should be directed to Blake O'Brien at (806) 372-3877 ext. 120 or mailed to P. O. Box 9598, Amarillo, Texas 79105.

P.O. Box 9618 Amarillo, TX 79105 * (806)372-3877*120  *  Email Us