The Rowland Foundation's mission is to invest in Vermont teachers to positively change the culture & climate of schools. We welcome applications from classroom teachers of all disciplines, school counselors, special educators-all Vermont teachers who work directly with students in the middle or secondary grades are eligible to apply. Educators who work on an administrator contract are not eligible. Instructional coaches, coordinators, program directors, and other educators who may work on a teacher's contract but do not work directly with students on a daily basis are not eligible.
"Transformational" is the best word to describe a Rowland fellowship. Not only do you work to transform your school, but you enter into an entirely different era of your lifeone where you expand your network, become a part of a new (and amazing) family, and burst through the confines of your comfort zone. In every way, The Rowland Foundation is the best thing going for education in Vermont."— Lori Lisai, 2015 Rowland Fellow, Innovation Coordinator, Lamoille Union Middle & High School
The Rowland Foundation provides grants of up to $100,000 to each receiving school to support their Rowland Fellow's change idea to transform an aspect of the school in order to positively impact its culture and climate. A large part of these funds cover substitute costs so that the Rowland Fellow can be released from teaching duties in order to develop their school change Fellowship initiative. The remainder of the funds support Fellowship activities so the Rowland Fellow can conduct research, do site visits, develop strategic partnerships, and organize the work of their Steering Committee. Rowland Fellows submit an updated version of their Fellowship budget to the Executive Director twice a year.
All Rowland Fellows and their principals sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Rowland Foundation that outlines the obligations and responsibilities of all parties.
"The Rowland Foundation has made such a difference for Vermont students by empowering the people who know best what works in their schools: their teachers."—
Alden Bird, 2018 Rowland Fellow, English Teacher, U-32 High School