School districts across the country are struggling to keep arts and music programs alive in the classroom – but Airborne, the nation’s leading herbal product, is stepping in to provide teachers with some much-needed relief. Elementary and middle school teachers in the Kimball and ROCORI school districts whose programs are in jeopardy of being lost are now eligible to apply for the Airborne Teacher Trust Fund. A nonprofit charitable corporation that helps support art and music education, the Airborne Teacher Trust Fund awards grants of $200-$10,000 to assist teachers in implementing these vital programs. As of Aug. 1, 2007, teachers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia can apply for these grants. Now entering its second year, The Airborne Teacher Trust Fund is the vision of Victoria Knight-McDowell, a former second-grade teacher and creator of Airborne Health Formula (an herbal supplement found in the cough and cold aisle). Knight-McDowell’s goal with the initiative is to help other teachers get their dreams and ambitions off the ground. “With budgets becoming tighter each year, schools are faced with the difficult decision of having to cut vital programs,” says Knight-McDowell. “The Airborne Teacher Trust Fund is meant to fill the gap and keep our youth engaged and inspired, so they can live full and rewarding lives.” According to the 2006 Center for Education Policy, 71 percent of the nation’s 15,000 school districts have reduced time spent on subjects such as art, social studies and history since 2002. “It’s frightening to think of a world in which children are not exposed to the arts in any meaningful way,” says Elise Donahue, Airborne CEO. “As corporations and individuals it is up to us to make sure we’re investing in the future of our country. Application information is available via the Airborne Teacher Trust Fund Web site at www.airbornetrust.com.
