Several years ago, as a result of the strong, lasting and positive influence that teachers had on Raymond Plank's life he started a program in his hometown of Minneapolis to provide teachers with opportunities for summer sabbaticals - self designed programs of summer learning and exploration. Raymond endowed the program with $1 MM. Administrators at public and independent schools shared Raymond’s belief that these experiences would improve the educational process. That pilot program has grown into the public foundation, Fund for Teachers.

Fund for Teachers enriches the personal and professional growth of teachers by recognizing and supporting them as they identify and pursue opportunities around the globe that will have the greatest impact on their practice, the academic lives of their students and on their school communities.

Teaching is a complex, evolving profession. Academic achievement is an individualized, teacher-driven process. Fund for Teachers salutes those who find valuable ways of transforming their classrooms and communities.

Fund for Teachers provides grants directly to teachers, supporting their professional learning. Their experiences come in many forms, and share the purpose of enhanced teaching skills. We believe that by experiencing personal and professional potential, teachers inspire students.

Fund for Teachers' grants are awarded to teachers work-ing with students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Teachers submit proposals detailing how their fellowship will make them a better teacher and how their improved skills are to be implemented in the classroom, benefiting students, curricula and school. Teachers are awarded based on application quality and merit as judged by a committee.

Fund for Teachers is dedicated to fostering opportunities that bring fresh perspective, expertise and broad world knowledge into classrooms. We promote innovation. Some of the projects our fellows have pursued include:

•	exploring Hawaii's active volcanoes
•	studying Islam through Morocco's political, social and economic development
•	conducting research on the chemical impact of Puerto Rico's environment
•	participating in a hands-on study of Beluga whales
•	trekking across Laos learning about the Hmong culture
•	sharpening Spanish skills in Guatemala

To date, more than 3,500 teachers from across the United States have studied and traveled in 110 countries on all seven continents.