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For the Teachers Who Change Our Lives

csc dewey awards teachers
Dewey Awards Logo

Share your story for the chance to receive one of three $1,000 charter school grants, which will be given in your name to the school of your choice.

Share Your Story

How it Works

Do you have a story about a teacher who helped you find your way?

Many of us have experienced the powerful impact of a caring teacher—someone who helped us get to where we are today. Someone who taught us to think outside the box, overcome learning and personal challenges, and even perceive ourselves in a new light. Relationships with the best teachers can change the course of our lives.

With our annual Dewey Award, we’re inviting stories of teachers as change-makers in memory of Richard Dewey, a teacher close to our hearts at Charter School Capital. We are dedicated to helping schools provide a nourishing environment for their students, and excellent teachers are at the heart of that effort.

Submit your story by scrolling down and providing your written (minimum of 300 words) or video (minimum 3 minutes) entry. By sharing the story of your change-making teacher, you’ll have the chance to be granted $1,000 to be given in that teacher’s name to the charter school of your choice.

Award Timeline

September 14 – October 28

Submissions are open to students, parents, teachers, and school supporters. Stories may be submitted in writing or video.

November 16

Grant winners will be notified via email or phone call on November 16th, and then announced publicly shortly there after.

About Richard Dewey

The Dewey Awards are a tradition at Charter School Capital. This annual essay contest about one’s favorite teacher was created in 2017 by Stuart Ellis, our Founder and CEO.

Stuart met his favorite teacher at eight years old. By eight, Stuart had already caught on that people would scold him whenever he did anything differently —whenever he “painted outside the lines.” Math —always a passion for Stuart —was an example. Apparently, there was ONE way to solve a math problem, and if eight-year-old Stuart solved the problem, arriving at the correct answer, using unconventional processes, that was to be discouraged. Mr. Richard Dewey was different.

Mr. Dewey celebrated Stuart’s ability to do the arithmetic in his head —while also coaching him on the processes, for the time when the process would become more complicated. He made his students feel they had limitless potential. He took qualities Stuart had internalized as ‘bad’ and suggested they were great. Mr. Dewey made each kid feel ‘more than’ without making anyone feel ‘less than.’ He made them all feel they had limitless potential.

an image of richard dewey with his former student stuart ellis

Frequently Asked Questions

csc dewey awards faq

Who is Charter School Capital?

Charter School Capital (CSC) helps charter schools get where they’re going. Our goal is to help schools thrive by giving access to a reliable, steady flow of money; filling School classrooms through customized marketing; and getting Schools into their forever homes. At the heart of everyone here at CSC, there’s a person devoted to empowering charter schools.

You can learn more about CSC at charterschoolcapital.com.

How are grant winners selected?

We ask a panel of education experts, advocates, teachers, and influencers to review all our Dewey Award submissions. The review panel scores each submission against a set of criteria, and then winners are determined by the highest score.

How do winning schools receive their grant?

Once our Dewey Award winners are announced, we reach out to schools receiving the $1,000 grant and work with them to determine the best way to send those funds.

When did the Dewey Awards start?

The Dewey Awards started in 2018. Since its inception, we’ve received over 200 submissions and sent grants to 12 schools.

Can I read about past winners and submissions?

Yep! If you head over to our blog on charterschoolcapital.com, you can read about our past winners and submissions.

How can I promote the Dewey Awards at my school?

Feel free to share our social media posts. You can also download this easy-to-share handout, which can be distributed to your students, parents, and school supporters.