2023 Schools of the Future Conference

Learner Variabilities Scholarships

Thanks to a generous grant from the Oak Fund at the Hawai'i Community Foundation, the Schools of the Future Conference is once again pleased to offer a limited number of needs-based Travel Scholarships for administrators and teachers from schools serving communities in Hawai'i.

A maximum of two travel scholarships will be awarded to educators from the same school. Awards will be granted in an amount up to $600 if attending the conference for two days, or $450 if attending only one day of the conference. The awards are intended to defray the costs of attending the SOTF Conference and can be used to cover airfare, lodging, transportation, and the cost of substitute teachers. Reimbursement of expenses up to the maximum amount of the award will occur upon completion of the event and will only be paid out once attendance is verified. Please note that all receipts must be submitted to the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, to receive the reimbursement.

The travel scholarships do not include conference registration. All recipients are responsible for registering for the conference and are required to pay the conference fee in effect at the time of registration.

Eligibility:

Open to administrators and teachers from any Neighbor Island (Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island) public, charter or private school
Preference will be given to educators from Hawai'i Island and to those working at schools in rural communities, as defined below
Applicants must directly serve students with learning differences
Applicants must complete their own application

Rural Communities:
As defined by the 2010 Census Report. Schools located in all communities outside of Honolulu County (which includes Kailua, Kaneohe and Urban Honolulu) and Kahului, Maui, Maui. (Table 3 of 2010 Census Report)

Applications will be accepted until September 22, 2023, or until the total funding amount has been depleted.

All educators meeting the eligibility criteria can apply, but preference will first be given to individuals on Hawaii Island followed by educators working in rurally located schools.

Learner Variabilities Scholarship Application

Innovation Scholarships

These scholarships will be awarded to a total of 6 Hawaii-based educators - 2 Private, 2 Public and 2 Charter School educators - and will cover the 2-day SOTF Conference registration fee. The Scholarship was created in honor of Robert Witt and Chris Van Bergeijk, the visionaries behind the Schools of the Future initiative.

Applicants are asked to describe an innovative initiative, program, learning opportunity, etc. that they are responsible for in their school. Examples of its effectiveness as it relates to the impact it has had on the school community should also be noted, along with any relevant links, if online content is available.

The deadline to complete the application form is June 9, 2023. A "blind" review of the applications will be conducted by members of SOTF Planning Committee and recipients will be notified within a week.

Eligibility:

Pk-12th grade Educator, currently employed at a Hawaii-based Public, Private, Parochial or Charter school
Demonstrates innovation in teaching or administration
Prior recipients are not eligible for consideration

The Innovation Scholarship only covers the conference registration fee.

Innovation Scholarship Application

Early Childhood Program Directors Scholarships

For Program Directors from Non-Public Preschools

Thanks to a generous grant from the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation, the Schools of the Future Conference is pleased to offer a limited number scholarships for program directors from non-public preschools.

Registration Scholarship for Oahu-Based Private Preschool Directors
The SOTF Early Childhood Education (ECE) scholarships are intended for program directors from private preschools located on Oahu. Scholarship awards will be limited to one per preschool or program. Recipients will also be expected to attend a special dinner event hosted by the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation, which will take place the evening of Thursday, November 16, at the Convention Center. There is no additional charge for the dinner, which will feature a prominent national speaker and local ECE thought leaders.

Scholarships are available for either a 1 or 2-day SOTF ticket, valued at $200 and $400 respectively. Scholarships will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis with a maximum of one (1) per preschool.

Scholarship Eligibility and Requirements:

Applicants must be program directors from non-public, Oahu-based private preschools that serve children under the age of 5 years old.
Each applicant must complete their own application.
The recipient will have 30 days to register using the discount code noted in the award letter.
Attendance at both the SOTF Conference and the ECE dinner are required of award recipients.

Travel Scholarship for Neighbor Island Private Preschool Directors
The SOTF Early Childhood Education (ECE) travel scholarships are intended for program directors from private preschools located on the Hawaiian Neighbor Island (Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island). Scholarship awards will be limited to one per preschool or program. Recipients will also be expected to attend a special dinner event hosted by the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation, which will take place the evening of Thursday, November 16, at the Convention Center. There is no additional charge for the dinner, which will feature a prominent national speaker and local ECE thought leaders.

Awards will be granted in an amount up to $500 if attending the conference for two days, or up to $350 if attending only one day of the conference. The awards are intended to defray the costs of attending the Schools of the Future Conference and can be used to cover airfare, lodging and transportation. Reimbursement of expenses up to the maximum amount of the award will occur upon completion of the event and will only be paid out once attendance is verified. Please note that all receipts must be submitted to the Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools to receive the reimbursement.

The travel scholarships do not include conference registration. All recipients are responsible for registering for the conference and are required to pay the conference fee in effect at the time of registration.

Scholarship Eligibility and Requirements:

Open to non-public preschool directors serving children under the age of 5 years from Neighbor Island (Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island) private preschools.
Applicants must complete their own application.
Registration must be paid in full ahead of the SOTF Conference.
Attendance at both the SOTF Conference and the ECE dinner are required in order to receive reimbursement for travel-related expenses.

ECE Registration Scholarship For Directors on Oahu ECE Travel Scholarship For Directors on Neighbor Islands

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Scholarships

For DEIB Advocates

Thanks to a generous grant from the Stevens World Peace Foundation, the Schools of the Future Conference is pleased to offer a limited number scholarships to administrators and teachers from Hawai'i public, private and charter schools.

DEIB Registration Scholarships for Oahu-Based Public, Private and Charter School Administrators and Teachers
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Scholarship awards will be limited to two recipients per school. Award recipients are expected to attend the conference on November 16, which is when the DEIB keynote presentation, offered by Brandy Nālani McDougall will take place.

Scholarships are available for either a 1- day ticket for November 16 or 2-day SOTF ticket, valued at $250 and $500 respectively. Scholarships will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis with a maximum of (2) recipients per school.

Scholarship Eligibility and Requirements:

Applicants must be administrators or teachers from Oahu-based public, private and charter schools that serve children in a K-12 setting.
Each applicant must complete their own application.
The recipient will have 30 days to register using the discount code noted in the award letter.
Attendance at the SOTF Conference is required of award recipients.

Deadline to apply: Friday, September 22, 2023 or until funds have been depleted. Notifications will be sent as applications are received and within two weeks of submission.

DEIB Travel Scholarships for Neighbor Island Public, Private and Charter School Administrators and Teachers
The SOTF Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) travel scholarships are intended for administrators and teachers from public, private and charter schools located on the Hawaiian Neighbor Island (Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island). Scholarship awards will be limited to two recipients per school. Scholarships are available to attend either November 16, which is when the DEIB keynote presentation, offered by Brandy Nālani McDougall will take place, or both conference days (November 16 & 17) Scholarships will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis with a maximum of (2) recipients per school.

Awards will be granted in an amount up to $500 if attending the conference for two days, or up to $350 if attending only November 16. The awards are intended to defray the costs of attending the Schools of the Future Conference and can be used to cover airfare, lodging and transportation. Reimbursement of expenses up to the maximum amount of the award will occur upon completion of the event and will only be paid out once attendance is verified. Please note that all receipts must be submitted to the Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools to receive the reimbursement.

Scholarship Eligibility and Requirements:

Open to administrators and teachers from Hawaii-based, public, private and charter schools located on a Neighbor Island (Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island).
Applicants must complete their own application.
Registration must be paid in full ahead of the SOTF Conference.
Attendance at the SOTF Conference and completion of a post-conference survey are required in order to receive reimbursement for travel-related expenses.

Deadline to apply: Friday, September 22, 2023 or until funds have been depleted. Notifications will be sent as applications are received and within two weeks of submission. Please note that award recipients should register as soon as the notification is received, in order to take advantage of the registration rate in effect at that time.

DEIB Scholarships for Oahu-based Educators DEIB Scholarships for Neighbor Island Educators