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 A unique professional development opportunity for Vermont secondary school teachers.
Each year up to ten Vermont secondary school teachers are selected as Rowland Fellows from among all qualified applicants. The Foundation provides a $100,000 grant to each of their schools for the Rowland Fellow to implement a vision to transform an aspect of the school which will positively impact its culture and climate. An initial grant of up to $50,000 covers a sabbatical for the fall semester (September-January) for each Rowland Fellow (and his/her family, if applicable). The sabbatical provides opportunity for travel, research, personal reflection and renewal, and for the development of an action plan to be implemented upon the Fellow's return to his/her respective school in January. The grant covers all costs (travel, transportation, and accommodations) except personal expenses and food. It also covers the school's cost of hiring a substitute teacher. An additional $50,000 grant is provided to each school in two installments to support the initiative developed by the Rowland Fellow. The first $25,000 is made available in January upon the Fellow's return from sabbatical. The balance of the grant will be made in the fall after a visit by the Executive Director to each school and the submission of a final report. The allocation of these funds is a joint decision between the Rowland Fellow and the principal/head of school. 
While the Executive Director will assist the Rowland Fellows with the implementation of their vision, the primary assistance comes through a collaborative partnership among all chosen Fellows. This community of Rowland Fellows (up to ten per year) will help influence change and school improvement throughout Vermont. To this end returning Rowland Fellows serve as mentors for the “next class” of Fellows. Rowland Fellows attend two pre-sabbatical and several post-sabbatical meetings to seek guidance, to establish collaborative partnerships to report on progress and to facilitate the mentorship program. Rowland Fellows will share their sabbatical experiences with the Foundation's Board of Trustees and the new inductees at an annual dinner reception each April.
The Rowland Foundation |
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The Rowland Foundation seeks applicants who are visionary, willing to lead, motivated and committed to affecting change in an area of concern within their respective schools, and who take risks and work collaboratively with others. The ideal candidates see connections between the school's culture and climate and a student's classroom performance. They demonstrate leadership within their school or are willing to step into a significant leadership role. They are keenly interested in their own professional development and are committed to their chosen discipline, the school and its students. The candidate is one who sees a task to a conclusion and is able to form clear partnerships with others to realize a vision.