My favorite first grade teacher asked me last week if I knew of any good tech money available to teachers. She has iBooks in her room, but they’re definitely showing their age. Working in a school district where sustainability is a huge problem, there’s no plan for her school to replace them. So if she wants updated equipment, she’s on her own.

I asked the network, and they responded. This is the time of year when lots of opportunities are available. Here are a few options:

Best Buy Teach Awards: The Best Buy Teach Award program recognizes creative uses of interactive technology in K-12 classrooms. Winning programs focus on kids using technology to learn standards-based curriculum, rather than on teaching students to use technology or educators using technology that children aren’t able to use hands-on.  Teachers can apply for $1,000 – $5,000, which is awarded in Best Buy gift cards. Additionally, 15 projects serving 9th grade students will be awarded $10,000 each as part of their new @15 philanthropic focus. The application deadline is October 12, 2008.

Kids In Need Teacher Grants: The purpose of the grants is to provide funds for classroom teachers who have innovative, meritorious ideas. Your project may qualify for funding if it makes creative use of common teaching aids, approaches the curriculum from an imaginative angle, or ties nontraditional concepts together for the purpose of illustrating commonalities. Innovation and merit account for 40% of the evaluation. The grant amounts range from $100-$500, and they won’t buy computer hardware. But if you need some software, or consumable supplies, this might be a good source. The application deadline is September 30, 2008.

Toshiba America Foundation Grants: The Toshiba America Foundation has separate grant programs for K-6 and 7-12 math and science teachers. Elementary proposals of up to $1,000 are due October 1. Secondary proposals of more than $5,000 are due on February 1 and August 1. Smaller secondary proposals are accepted throughout the year. The focus of the grants is to support innovative projects designed by math and science teachers to make their own classrooms more exciting and successful for students.

NEA Foundation Student Achievement Grants: The NEA Foundation provides grants to improve the academic achievement of students in U.S. public schools and public higher education institutions in any subject area(s). The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen their knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection. Deadlines are October 15, February 1, and June 6. Awards of up to $5,000 will be considered.

Have a need that doesn’t quite fit into any of these? Check out Grant Wrangler. This is a clearinghouse of educational grants, awards, and competitions, organized by application due date.