Professional Development Grant

Transformative impacts often result from staff members who choose to attend professional development programs. Typically, these opportunities are funded through the town’s annual school budget. However, the district may not be financially able to meet each request. Through the Professional Development Grant program, the Wallingford Education Foundation (WEF) provides additional funding for employees of Wallingford Public Schools to attend conferences hosted outside the district.

The Professional Grant program offers paired grants of $1,000 each for two Wallingford Public Schools staff members to attend the same professional development opportunity together OR single grants of up to $2,000 for an individual to attend a conference alone. Multiple grants are awarded yearly.

Elaine Villano, who teaches in the Alternative Route to Success (ARTS) Academy received full funding to attend an intermediate Spanish course offered by the Spanish Community of Wallingford (SCOW) and purchase a subscription to Rosetta Stone. Through both in-person and online learning, she will be able to enhance her Spanish language skills, which will allow her to more effectively communicate with her students’ parents. She also plans to serve as a resource to her colleagues at the ARTS Academy.

Wallingford staff members (any employee of Wallingford Public Schools) who wish to request financing are asked to complete an application and submit it to the WEF via email anytime between March 1 and 4:00 p.m. on April 1. Applicants are urged to read the entire application packet carefully and to pay particular attention to all terms and conditions.