Page 7 - 2025_NEWS_SeptOct-82-5

Sep/Oct 2025 | Vol. 82 No. 5

From DKGIEF p. 6
institution is diligently working to provide its faculty with funding for professional development. However, as
I was looking at my available funds for an additional conference presentation in April 2025, I realized I was
going to have difficulty supporting travel and paying conference fees. Luckily, this is where the CIPD Award
came in, as I was able to meet my professional commitments and learn and network simultaneously.”
CIPD awards are funded twice annually.
• Applications are accepted no later than May 1 for professional development from July 1 through
December 31 of the application year.

• Applications are accepted no later than November 1 for professional development from January 1
through June 30 of the year following the application.
The Cornetet Seminar Professional Development Award (CSPD) is available to DKG regions, areas, and
state organizations to sponsor professional development seminars. CSPD Awards may be used to fund, but are
not limited to, consultant or presenter fees, venue rental, seminar materials, audio-visual equipment rental, and
much more.
Dr. Jo Ann Pierce (Oklahoma State Organization president) shared the importance of the CSPD Award to the

success of the sponsored event. “The Cornetet Seminar Professional Development Award catapulted our
leadership team forward with ’Roses on the Chisholm Trail.’ The award was essential to give 16 Oklahoma
key women educators a taste of real leadership. We traveled the Chisholm Trail at Duncan, Oklahoma’s
world-famous Chisholm Trail Heritage Center. Cattle drives demanded strong leadership, fun and frolic, tri-
als, danger, and difficulty, which we used as a metaphor for the educational leadership arena. Our learning
was extraordinary as our personal and professional growth grew with the trail boss, swing drivers, point
riders, and “the cookie,” leading the way. Evaluation was done through visual dialogue as small groups
created a trail drive depiction of a high-achieving DKG Chapter or school as a cattle drive along the Chisholm
Trail. Such a great experience!”

CSPD awards are funded once annually, with applications due on or before November 1.
Educational Projects Fund – Many teachers have incredible classroom, school, or
community project ideas that require additional resources. Educational Project grants are
available to DKG members and non-members to bring these projects to life.
Educational project grants are available for up to $8,000. Money is awarded for one
year, from July 1 to June 30. If funding is granted, it is considered start-up funding. Applicants should also seek
other project funding.

Leana McClain (Alpha, Indiana) was awarded an Educational Project Award for the project “Sathya Sai
School of Bahia (BSSS) de Caraquez Book Bag Project,” providing opportunities for preschool to third-grade
students and parents to engage in a shared at-home reading experience. During a visit to school in Ecuador,
“I learned that the school did not have a school library, classrooms did not have children’s books, and the
town of Bahia did not have a public library or bookstore. Believing that every child and every classroom
deserves access to quality children’s books, returning to Bahia with children’s books became my goal. I
embrace the idea of being a global citizen who recognizes an educational need and offers support.”
Recipients of an educational project grant are required to submit a mid-year and end-of-year report with photos
or videos of the project in action. Applications are due no later than March 1.

Educators Award Fund - Female authors influencing educational goals in today’s society are also recognized
See DKGIEF p. 8

7