The Don Goff Innovative Instruction Award will enable classroom
teachers to design innovative and creative instruction that will promote
the Cleveland City Schools-Portrait of a Graduate.
Please view the description of Cleveland City Schools-Portrait of a
Graduate here.
This system-wide initiative prepares students to develop skills in the 5-
C’s: communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and
character to be college, career, and life ready. For more information
about Portrait of a Graduate view the video on the Cleveland City
Schools website clevelandschools.org (visit menu>District> Strategic
Plan 2020-2025)
● Incorporate at least one of the 5 C’s of Cleveland City School’s Portrait
of a Graduate.
● Only full-time, certified teachers representing one of the public schools
in Cleveland City Schools are eligible to apply for up to $2,500.
● One proposal per teacher may be submitted within a single award
season.
● Expenses may include consumable and non-consumable classroom
materials, apps and curriculum subscriptions, etc.
● Capital improvements
● Travel
● Classroom furnishings unless determined to be an integral part of the
project
● Salaries nor salary supplements
● Playground equipment
● Athletic programs
● Postage/Shipping
●All applications submitted by the deadline will be evaluated by a
preliminary team of evaluators. The final award determinations will be
made by a second committee.
● All applicants will be notified by e-mail when their application is received
by the Foundation office.
● Complete the online COVER SHEET with identifying information. Use
the same title on your cover sheet and application. Evaluation and
scoring will be performed with the COVER SHEET removed to ensure a
non-prejudicial process.
● There are no word count or character restrictions.
● You may save your work and return to it later. When completed use the
submit button. Once submitted, you will not be allowed to make
changes to your project proposal.
● Principal approval is required. Your submission is not complete until
he/she sends BCPEF a confirmation email stating the project title and
your name. (The principal can simply send an email with the validating
information to [email protected].)
● Awardees will be announced at convocation at the 2025-2026 opening
of school. Upon official receipt of the award, recipients may purchase
only materials specified in the proposal.
● The BCPEF Executive Director must approve any changes in use of
funds. Project funds may not be over-spent. Funds not spent will revert
to BCPEF. Projects must be completed, and final expenditures made by
April 15, 2026.
(When making purchases, use school purchase orders. After materials
have been received, complete the Reimbursement Request by May 1,
2026 (use the online form or download and print ) and attach all invoice
copies. Submit to the school bookkeeper who will submit to BCPEF for
the school to receive reimbursement.)
● The award recipient must write a letter thanking the Don Goff Innovative
Instruction Award Committee for supporting the project through BCPEF,
enclosing photos or class artwork or other materials as appropriate.
Send the letter to BCPEF.
NOTE: DO NOT INCLUDE WITHIN THE PROJECT PROPOSAL OR
ATTACHMENTS YOUR NAME OR OTHER INFORMATION THAT COULD
IDENTIFY YOU, THE SCHOOL, OR CLASSROOM. THIS INFORMATION
WILL DISQUALIFY THE PROPOSAL.
At the conclusion of the project or by April 15, 2026 the recipient must submit a Project Evaluation Report to the Foundation office by e-mail/pdf attachment to [email protected]. The report must include at a minimum:
Results including Student Impact (incl. # of students)
Itemized financial report
Photos as appropriate which can be used for Foundation publicity
Copies of communication with donor(s)
The Don Goff Professional Development Fund will enable a Cleveland City Schools classroom teacher or teacher team to pursue a professional development experience that enhances their instruction, enriches their teaching skills, and empowers their professional growth.
● An individual full-time, certified teacher may apply or if a team, all members must be full-time certified teachers.
● Commit to return for 1 year to the classroom in Cleveland City Schools to incorporate the learning and growth from the professional development experience.
● Have 3 years of teaching experience in a Cleveland city Schools preK-12 classroom at the end of the current school year.
*Student teaching and/or substitute teaching does not count toward the requirement.
● There will be one $2,500 award per school year.
● Expenses covered include: registration fees for conferences, workshops, virtual conferences, and materials associated with the professional development such as books, manuals, online links, travel, lodging.
● Expenses not covered include: substitute teacher, food
● Applicants may apply as an individual or as a team. A team description includes by grade level, subject area, or teachers from another school in CCS such as two music teachers as a team.
● Funding will not exceed $2,500 for an individual or team award. ● Any funds not spent for the professional development experience will be returned to The Don Goff Professional Development Fund
● Applications must be approved by the school principal.
●All applications submitted by the deadline will be evaluated by a
preliminary team of evaluators. The final award determinations will be
made by a second committee.
● All applicants will be notified by e-mail when their application is received
by the Foundation office.
● There are no word count or character restrictions.
● Principal approval is required. Your submission is not complete until
he/she sends BCPEF a confirmation email stating the project title and
your name. (The principal can simply send an email with the validating
information to [email protected].)
● The BCPEF Executive Director must approve any changes in use of
funds. Professional development funds may not be over-spent. Funds not spent will revert to BCPEF.
(When making purchases, use school purchase orders. After materials
have been received, complete the Reimbursement Request by May 1,
2026 (use the online form or download and print ) and attach all invoice
copies. Submit to the school bookkeeper who will submit to BCPEF for
the school to receive reimbursement.)
● The professional development recipient must write a letter thanking the Don Goff Innovative Instruction Award Committee for supporting the professional development through BCPEF.
AI can be a valuable tool to generate a draft but it is crucial to personalize your writing with specific examples and information to make a narrative impactful. If you choose to use AI, please fact check and proofread everything carefully.