Valier’s Amanda Adler obtains library grant from Montana Masonic Foundation

Amanda Adler has added “Grant Writer” to her resume by seizing opportunities that come her way either by happenstance or as a result of proactive efforts on her part. The latest award is a $1,078 gift for library books from the Montana Masonic Foundation’s Educational Grant Program.

“The Montana Masonic Foundation’s (MMF’s) Educational Grant Program is designed to provide Teachers, Student Aides, and/or Principals in Montana’s Public Schools an opportunity to apply for a grant to assist under-funded programs in the following areas: Music, Drama, Science and Library. The MMF’s Educational Grant Program is intended to help with needs in the above-named areas that are not typically addressed in district general budgets, or areas of student enhancement or learning that have suffered cutbacks or are experiencing start-up concerns.” MMF Educational Grant Cover Letter

As a full-time educator, Ms. Adler uses resources available to discover grants and then works on them as time permits. “I hear about opportunities from my administrator, Mr. (Josh) Reed,” explained Ms. Adler, “I am signed up for various email subscriptions from educational sites, and I find some on Facebook pages and groups. This particular grant opportunity came from an email that Mr. Reed forwarded teachers from the Montana Masonic Foundation, Inc.”

Ms. Adler is learning as she goes, “I am new to writing grants, but I learned that you need to be specific in your wording and zero in on targeted phrases. I used a quote I found from the American Library Association to catch their attention. I tried to keep my grant real and attainable.”

The grant will be used solely to purchase new books for the elementary library. The students have been involved in the process by suggesting book ideas to Mr. (Donald) Mecham, the elementary librarian. The Valier Elementary Library is being updated. The MMF grant comes at an opportune time. Mr. Mecham is looking into getting a Barnes & Noble educator discount and coupon deals to make the money stretch further.  

When asked how she finds the time for grant writing while teaching Kindergarten and helping in the library, she shared, “I work on grant applications during my teacher prep time, after school, and sometimes in the evenings. I scribble notes and ideas to use in the application before I forget the next day. It becomes a multi-day process so that I can write some, read it over, process it, add anything else I think of, then re-read before finally submitting the application. some directions for submitting documents are very specific and others are more lax.”

She explained her connection to the library, “I was the representative to take the library standards class through the Montana Small School Alliance a few years ago and I have been helping in the library on days the kindergarteners aren’t here. Next year, Kindergarten comes all five days, so I won’t have a presence in the library anymore. Mr. Mecham has been great to work with. He understands libraries, organizing the books, and what needs to be done. He used to work in the library at a school in Idaho. He teaches the kids during their library time during the week.” 

“I would like to thank the Montana Masonic Foundation for the opportunity to apply for the educational grant,” added Ms. Adler. “I would also like to thank Mr. Dennis DeForest for coming up to Valier to present the check.”

In addition to grant writing, Ms. Adler is active in pursuing professional development. She will have a teacher professional development opportunity this summer that takes her to famous Civil War spots. Watch for her report in early July.