Foundation
Principal Ryan Scott and Mary Lou Brehmer
October 2017
The Excellence in Education Grants for Teachers Program Awards $36,500 in Grant Money The Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation (IRTAF) awards a total of $36,500 in grant money to several public school educators (Pre-K through 12) statewide. IRTAF is affiliated with the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, a lobbying group for retired educators, with a current membership of over 37,000. On October 10, 2017, Mary Lou Brehmer was awarded his/her IRTAF grant check. Below, you will find more information on the winner, along with his/her school, the amount of the award, IRTA Area, and a summarized paragraph of the project in the winner’s own words. Mary Lou Brehmer, Main Street
School, Shelbyville ($750.00) Area 5 I work with an Accelerated Reading program. We encourage reading of all types of literature especially nonfiction. Each child is encouraged to read daily at home with their parents and in school during their AR reading time.Then the students take a test on their book to check for comprehension. We provide incentives and prizes for good scores and the amount of books they read.
The IRTA Foundation designed this program based on the idea that educators often do not have additional revenue sources available for unique student projects or classroom materials. This program allotted a total of $36,500 to Illinois public school educators for these purposes.
Applicants were required to meet the proper criteria and to submit their proposals by early June. The IRTAF Board of Directors selected the grant recipients and awards are being presented now. The Illinois Principals Association played a vital role in assisting IRTAF with the promotion of this program.