Last month, four Mohegan School teachers found out that they’ve been selected as 2022 Fund For Teachers Fellows. Past Mohegan Fellows orchestrated a surprise award presentation for each winner in their classroom.

Including the latest Fellows, 10 Fund For Teachers Fellowships have been awarded to Mohegan teachers, starting with the first class of three Fellows in 2016. Mohegan Fellows from previous years continue to promote participation in the program, read and score proposals, and most important, mentor candidates over several months during the rigorous application process.

Lisa Kaplan, a 2016 Fellow, said that “we want as many teachers as possible to take part in the program that changed our lives as educators.” 

This years’ winners are Drew Bicknell-Gates, a two-time fellow (2017) and special education teacher who will travel to Key West, Fla., to study the work of Ernest Hemingway; Lexis Foster, a Grade 2 teacher who will take part in farm stays in Spain; Michelle Moyer, a Grade 2 teacher who will immerse in trauma recovery work in Italy; and Krista Peltier, a library media specialist who will study the history of fashion across several cities in Europe.

Fund for Teachers awards summer fellowship grants for Pre-K through 12th grade teachers to pursue self-designed professional learning. Individuals may apply for up to $5,000 and teams may apply for up to $10,000 in funding.

Friends & Neighbors is a regular feature. To contribute, email times@theday.com.