Our Mission

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TELLURIDE Education Foundation's mission is to expand and enrich

the educational opportunities for students, to motivate and recognize

those who guide student learning, and to increase community support

for K-12 education in the Telluride R-1 region.

History

The Telluride Education Foundation (TEF) was established in 1993 for the purpose of preserving, supporting and improving the education of students in the Telluride R-1 region. TEF strives to enhance and amplify the educational opportunities of Telluride children and Magnet for teachers. To date, it has proved extremely successful in its endeavors. Through its fund raising efforts, TEF has been able to help create a rich diversity of exciting educational programs and projects for students of all ages and abilities.

Programs

The Telluride Education Foundation has two major programs for giving:

• Teacher Magnet Funds
• Monthly Grants

The Teacher Magnet Fund , is an ambitious teacher retention program designed by TEF at the specific request of school superintendent Mary Rubadeau. TEF's objective is to provide additional funds to teachers in the Telluride Public Schools and the Telluride Mountain School who are working on their Masters programs, as well as help teachers alleviate the financial burden of living in a resort community on a teachers wages. Applications are evaluated based on letters of recommendation, demonstrated commitment to students and the community, financial need and intended use of funds.

For Monthly Grants , students, teachers and community members submit Grant requests. The TEF board meets monthly during the school year to consider grant requests four times a year in September, November, January and March. Requests range from classroom non-consumable materials and projects, field trips and other creative supplemental programs. TEF has a strong history of funding a deep and diverse pool of very special educational opportunities. While the public and Mountain School each have a budget that funds their very worthwhile operations, these institutions can always use more. TEF allows the creative student and teacher to go the extra mile and provide the enhanced programming that would otherwise fall outside the school's operating budget.

Sources of Revenue TEF has more than 100 donors each year. Revenues come from businesses and community members of the Telluride area. The Telluride Foundation, Alpine Bank and other oraganizations support TEF. TEF has awarded over $81,000 since its inception, benefiting 82 teachers and over 720 students of the Telluride School District and Telluride Mountain School.