On August 16th, the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation announced that 79 first-year educators would each receive a $200 First Time Teacher Grant. The grants will go to teachers at 33 schools within the Sioux Falls School District. Educators can use the $200 to purchase items to equip their classrooms. This year’s First Time Teacher Grants are sponsored by the Education Foundation and the Mary Chilton Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.

First-time teachers often purchase supplies using their own funds. These start-up costs are necessary for the classroom environment, yet they are not typically covered by school budgets. Educators have used funds to purchase sets of books, bulletin boards, organization kits, art supplies, games, puzzles, posters, snacks for students, and more. Since the program began in 2011, the Education Foundation has awarded these grants to 692 teachers. With the addition of these 80 grants, the Education Foundation will pass the $100,000 mark for this program.

“We want to attract and retain the best and brightest in the Sioux Falls School District, and the First Time Teacher Grant Program is one way to do that,” said Allison Struck, executive director of the Education Foundation. “We are able to surprise the educators at orientation, which is a nice way to welcome them to the district. It also lets them know that we are glad they have chosen to start their career in Sioux Falls.”