Creating Safe Classrooms and Schools for LGBTQ+ People
The LGBTQ+ Safety in Schools Grant and Scholarship Program in Honor of Guy DeRosa was created to promote human and civil rights by making our public schools safe for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning+ persons (LGBTQ+). The program was renamed in 2009 in the memory of CTA member and educator Guy DeRosa. Guy was a lifelong advocate for civil and human rights and LGBTQ+ issues.
- The grant program will support groups, projects and presentations that promote understanding of and respect for LGBTQ+ persons.
- The scholarship program will support self-identified LGBTQ+ members enrolled in a teacher/counseling credential or graduate program who are pursuing a career in public education and who understand the importance of LGBTQ+ educators as role models in our public schools.
Applications are now available!
Deadline: May 31, 2023
Award Amount: up to $2,500
Questions? Email scholarships@cta.org
Applications that do not meet all requirements listed below will not be considered.
- Applicants must submit a complete application.
- Grant proposals and scholarship essays must be:
-
- Limited to three pages only
- On 8 ½” x 11″ paper size
- 1″ margins
- Double-spaced
- 12 pt. Font (Times New Roman)
- Applicants may choose to upload grant project essays/scholarship essays or type them directly into the text box provided.
- Grant proposals must include a budget to be considered. Submission of a budget allows the committee to understand the allocation of the requested funding.
- Optional: You may include a short video, PowerPoint or pictures that must be sent separately to Janeya Dawson at scholarships@cta.org.
- Grant recipients will be asked to submit a reconciliation form as well as provide pictures or videos of their events.
- Grant and scholarship applicants will be notified of their status by the end of July 2023.
The grant program will support groups, projects and presentations that promote understanding of and respect for LGBTQ+ persons. Grant is to be used directly with students. Special consideration will be given to projects that recognize, promote and celebrate ethnic diversity and other diversity among LGBTQ+ youth.
- Students in public schools, community colleges or four-year universities who implement LGBTQ+ projects and/or presentations.
- CTA members who implement a LGBTQ+ project/presentation at a public school for students and/or employees.
- LGBTQ+ groups such as Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) that implement project activities and/or presentations that promote a safe public school environment for all LGBTQ+ persons.
- Funds to start up or re-establish a GSA or LGBTQ+ advocacy group.
- Projects that focus on the intersectionality of racial equity are encouraged
Grants of up to $2,500 will be made available annually to awardees.
Applicants must be:
- An active CTA/SCTA member, or
- A public school student(s) sponsored by an active CTA/SCTA member.
Autonomous groups, Service Center Councils, UniServs and CTA Caucuses are not eligible.
The scholarship program will support self-identified LGBTQ+ members enrolled in a teacher/counseling credential or graduate program who are pursuing a career in public education and who understand the importance of LGBTQ+ educators as role models in our public schools.
Criteria:
- Proof that you are currently enrolled or that you will be enrolled in an educational non administrative credential or graduate program.
- Application essays are expected to address any experiences and/or your personal philosophy, that benefit the LGBTQ+ public school community. Please incorporate as many of the following criteria as possible:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of LGBTQ+ role models.
- Making the environment safe for LGBTQ+ students.
- Your past/intended involvements in the LGBTQ+ education community.
- Importance of role models for LGBTQ+ ethnic minorities.
Contribute to the Future: Donations
Send Donations To:
California Teachers Association
c/o LGBTQ+ Safety in Schools Grant and Scholarship Program
in Honor of Guy DeRosa
PO Box 921
Burlingame, CA 94011-0921
Make Checks Payable To:
CTA Foundation
(On check memo line indicate LGBTQ+ Grant and Scholarship Program)
Grant & Scholarship Committee
The 2022-2023 LGBTQ+ Safety in Schools Grant & Scholarship Committee in Honor of Guy DeRosa:
Charles Shannon, Chair
Angela Normand, Board Liaison
Laura Araujo-Salinas
Reynaldo Dulaney Jr.
Wendy Garay
Cheena Moslen
Shane Parmely
Alexander Rectra
Skye Tooley
Erinn Washburn
Samantha Weiss