The 2020-2021 school year has been full of change, stress and anxiety. The Longmont Community Foundation will reward 25 SVVSD preschool through third grade teachers with a cash award. The catch? Teachers are required to only spend the money to rejuvenate themselves.
The Longmont Community Foundation and the Alchemy Fund are accepting nominations for teachers in grades preschool through third grade for the Rejuvenation Award.
The Alchemy Fund is a fund comprised of anonymous donors “who believe strongly in early childhood education and those who educate young children,” said Eric Hozempa, executive director of the Longmont Community Foundation, in an email.
This is the first year the foundation has offered the Rejuvenation Award. This year, it and the donors of the Alchemy Fund felt it was important to recognize the “teachers of young people who did such a great job holding the attention of our youngest members in the community,” Hozempa said.
“During the pandemic, teachers have tirelessly given their all to keep our children engaged, learning and creating,” states the award announcement.
Anyone in the community can nominate a teacher who works within the St. Vrain Valley School district.
A committee of community volunteers will review the application, selecting 25 teachers to receive a $1,000 cash award. The teachers must agree to use the money for personal use and not buy supplies for the classroom, the announcement states.
“We're most proud of this and commend the leaders of Alchemy for this decision. The Rejuvenate award is meant to reward teachers and allow them to do something for themselves or their families since they have done so much for kids in our communit,” Hozempa said.
Applications and a short video explaining why the teacher deserves the award are due by midnight on April 30.
Recipients will be chosen by mid-May.
