Pursuit of Excellence Stipend
This support is designed to honor and to recognize employees at Athens Academy who strive to make the school a better place to learn and to work. Its purpose is to promote personal development among the faculty, staff, and administration. As the school evolves within the parameters of its mission, it wishes to acknowledge those whose efforts and initiative will lead all members of the school community to a personal best.
Although four individuals will receive this stipend each year, it is believed that all employees will profit from the promotion of a better working and learning environment and a striving for excellence through innovation and creativity. It is expected that recipients will be returning to employment of Athens Academy the year following the awarding of the stipend, and they will be asked to share their experiences with the faculty and/or student body and to describe the benefits which have come or will come from them. Each recipient will also be asked to write a brief statement about the enrichment activities pursued. A file of these summaries will be kept in the office of Curriculum and Instruction and will be made available to anyone who wishes to read them. It is the hope that these will serve as a model and guide for future applications. Recipients of the stipend are requested not to apply again for a period of one year.
Criteria:
- Application proposes an engaging idea that the individual is enthusiastic about pursuing. The pursuit can be--but does not need to be--related to one's field of study.
- Application includes an explanation of how this activity will enhance the individual's personal development, and consequently the individual's professional development and/or the climate of the school.
- Individual demonstrates a personal commitment to and excitement about pursuing this activity in a five-minute presentation before the committee. Please notify the chairperson of any special needs.
The application form requests no information about cost or budget. Each award is in the amount of $1250, regardless of the expense involved. The award is to support the creative energy put into the project and is not meant to cover all expenses.
Although specific courses, conferences, and workshops will not necessarily be seen as inappropriate, the purpose of these funds is not simply to augment faculty development, the earning of degrees, or the gaining of staff development units (SDU).
Process: A selection committee will review all applications and presentations and will make recommendations to the Headmaster and Division Directors for final approval. The committee, appointed by the Headmaster and Division Directors, will consist of representatives of the Pre/Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools and a non-voting chairperson. Discussion of applications should be addressed to the committee chairperson.