FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 8, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ten Strands
Camille Soliva
Communications Specialist
csoliva@tenstrands.org
The CTA Institute for Teaching
Marissa Glidden
IFT Program Organizer
mglidden@cta.org
Ten Strands and IFT Unite to Empower California Educators with Climate Justice-Focused Grant Program
San Francisco, CA – Ten Strands and the CTA Institute for Teaching (IFT) are proud to announce an innovative partnership to launch a pilot program to equip California educators with the resources and support they need to develop and implement student-centered climate justice projects. Together, these organizations are building on their proven track records to inject resources into California classrooms, empowering educators to lead climate-focused initiatives that prioritize equity and community engagement.
The new grant program will fund climate justice projects within California’s public schools. Modeled after IFT’s successful educator grant program, this initiative will leverage Ten Strands’ expertise in environmental literacy to support teachers in integrating hands-on, equity-focused climate education into their classrooms.
A unique feature of the program is the creation of an educator-driven Community of Practice, fostering collaboration and shared learning among grantees statewide. This approach will amplify promising practices, scale impactful projects, and create a network of educators committed to climate justice and environmental literacy.
As the climate crisis increasingly impacts schools and communities across California, the need for climate education and action has never been more urgent. According to a 2022 survey, one in four educators reports that climate change is already affecting their school or district. From emergency school closures to extreme heatwaves, the realities of climate change underscore the necessity of equipping students with the knowledge and skills to navigate and address these challenges.
“IFT’s mission has always been to support educators in creating strength-based, student-centered learning experiences,” said Abdul Sayid IFT’s Executive Director. “This partnership with Ten Strands allows us to extend that mission into the critical realm of climate justice, empowering educators and students alike to lead the way in building a sustainable future.”
Karen Cowe, chief executive officer of Ten Strands, added, “This collaboration is a natural extension of our commitment to advancing environmental literacy in California’s public schools. By combining IFT’s extensive educator network with Ten Strands’ expertise, we’re poised to create meaningful change at the intersection of education and climate action.”
Together, IFT and Ten Strands are paving the way for a future where California students and educators are empowered to lead in addressing climate justice, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow for all.
Applications for this competitive grant program are being accepted through March 31, 2025. Interested educators can apply at IFT’s website, www.cta.org/ift.
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About CTA Institute for Teaching
Established in 1967 by the California Teachers Association, IFT supports educators in designing and implementing innovative, equity-based teaching practices. Through its grant programs, IFT has awarded 643 grant projects totaling more than $7.6 million, directly benefiting classrooms and communities across California.
