Each year my younger son’s grade school has a great program called Theaters of Learning. In this program, teachers and community members are allowed to bring their unique talents to teach in the school and students are given the opportunity to choose their own elementary-level elective twice a year. Topics are widely varied and applied by grade level. Students can chose from interesting subjects like learning about the Hmong culture, to an in-depth look at specific authors, to healthy eating and exercise, to filmmaking. It is a great program and I think it deserves more recognition than it gets. If you have a special school program out there and want to find some support for creating a unique school experience, take a look at this week’s funder.

This Week’s Pick: The ING global financial service company funds innovative classroom projects through the ING Unsung Heroes program.

Public or private K-12 educators in the United States are eligible to apply. 100 finalists will each receive a $2,000 award to further their education project within the school or school system. From these 100 finalists first, second and third place awards will be given out of $25,000, $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.

Questions regarding the program should be addressed to Scholarship America at ing@scholarshipamerica.org. Application information for the 2009 school year can be found by clicking here. Applications must be postmarked by April 30, 2009.