As schools across Santa Barbara County switch to remote learning due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Teacher’s Fund is offering support to teachers in need of digital instruction tools and materials to help their students learn.

While the doors of Santa Barbara schools are physically closed to maintain social distancing and slow the spread of the coronavirus, teachers are serving as an academic and social lifeline for students isolated in their homes.

The Teacher’s Fund recognizes this is a challenging time for teachers, who must quickly adapt their curriculums and lesson plans to online platforms so their students can keep learning and stay connected during this difficult time.

Teachers can apply to the fund online for a grant of up to $1,000 (although the average grant amount is between $200 and $500). Grants will be awarded for online learning and teaching tools including digital books, educational software, math and science apps, and audiovisual equipment.

To receive a grant award in May, applications must be submitted by April 20.

“We want teachers to know we see them and they are not alone. We’re here to make this transition easier for them,” said Renee Grubb, owner of Village Properties Realtors and founder of the Teacher’s Fund.

“We also invite community members and businesses to show their support for our Santa Barbara teachers and students by donating to the fund,” she said.

Established in 2002, the Teacher’s Fund is a nonprofit organization that assists local teachers with the purchase of supplies, materials and equipment not covered by school funds. To date, the fund has donated more than $1.7 million to Santa Barbara County elementary, middle and high-school teachers in public and private schools.

Village Properties and its real estate agents provide major support to the fund, along with several other businesses, individuals and foundations.

To contribute to the Teacher’s Fund, make a donation online or mail a donation to Teacher’s Fund, Attn: Jessica Hernandez, 1250 Coast Village Road, Ste. A, Santa Barbara, CA 93108.

For more information about Teacher’s Fund, visit https://teachersfund.org/. For information about Village Properties visit https://www.villagesite.com/.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jennifer Goddard Combs
0: 805-565-3990
www.thegoddardcompany.com
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