The CrossRoads Staff Innovation Fellowship program is designed to empower up to five Wilbur Cross High School certified staff members each year to design and execute transformative professional development experiences. The program's mission is to translate this learning into powerful, innovative learning experiences for students, strengthen the school’s professional community, and address the unique student needs of Wilbur Cross High School.
The fellowship is open to members of the Wilbur Cross community who meet the following criteria:
Certified Wilbur Cross staff members, including teachers, counselors, social workers, and similar roles
At least two years of full-time service at Wilbur Cross with intention to continue their career at Wilbur Cross after the Fellowship concludes.
The CrossRoads Staff Innovation Fellowship provides project funding to support the development and implementation of a staff member’s innovative project. It also includes an additional stipend to strengthen collaboration within each cohort.
Core Components:
Project Funding
Up to $5,000 to support project expenses, research, travel, materials, programming, or other costs essential to carrying out the proposed innovation.
Cohort Collaboration Stipend
A $750 stipend dedicated to fostering community-building, shared learning, and collaborative activities among fellows. Fellows are expected to make presentations to staff, the PTSA, and Wilbur Cross community at-large about their work.
Application Deadline: Due January 30th, 2026 @ 5:00 PM
Committee Evaluation: February 2026
Selections Announced: March 16, 2026
Pre-Experience Preparations: April–May 2026
Fellowship Experience: Summer 2026
The CrossRoads Staff Innovation Fellowship is awarded through a holistic process. The selection committee uses the following criteria to staff members whose collective work will have a meaningful impact on the school community.
Fellowship Purpose and Goals: Strong proposals clearly identify a significant student or school-wide need and articulate an ambitious professional goal grounded in compelling evidence or experience.
Learning Plan and Innovation: Applicants should present a structured, actionable, and thoughtfully designed learning plan with innovative, well-justified activities that directly support their fellowship goals.
Student Outcomes and Measurement: Proposals must define a specific, measurable student outcome aligned with school priorities and include a clear, feasible plan for assessing impact through appropriate metrics.
Cohort Contribution: Applicants should describe concrete, meaningful ways they will contribute to the cohort’s shared learning and articulate how their unique perspective will enrich the group experience.
Budget and Feasibility: Budgets must be realistic, well-researched, and fully justified, demonstrating a clear alignment between proposed activities and the financial resources needed to execute the fellowship successfully.
I. Eligibility & General Application Questions
We are happy to support you. Email the Fellowship Committee at crossroads.wc.ptso@gmail.com to request accommodations or alternative submission formats. We encourage applicants to reach out as early as possible.
Yes. Your application may include multiple experiences as long as they are all part of your planned summer fellowship. Please note, however, that funding cannot exceed the $5,000 grant limit.
Common project types include:
Attending workshops, courses, or professional trainings
Developing curriculum or instructional resources
Participating in field experiences or site-based learning
Example Projects:
Exploring biodiversity in the Peruvian Amazon to deepen environmental teaching for urban high school students.
Visiting multiple Historically Black Colleges & Universities to expand students’ awareness of post-secondary pathways.
Studying Buddhist temples across New England to integrate mindfulness and artistic practice into middle school art education.
Participation in the Teacher Institute for Watershed Science and Conservation to spark student curiosity and stewardship.
Yes. AI tools may be used as a support. However, applications should reflect your own experiences, insights, and voice as a member of the Wilbur Cross community. AI can help with organizing ideas or polishing language, but the passion, purpose, and perspective behind the proposal must come directly from you.
II. Proposal & Project Design
Your timeline should outline the major phases of your summer experience—such as travel dates, workshops, site visits, research periods, or curriculum development blocks—with enough detail to show the committee that the project is feasible within the summer window. Because Cross operates on a traditional academic-year schedule, your timeline should clearly indicate when the summer experience occurs and how your learning will be brought back to Cross in the fall (e.g., department share-outs, PLC integration, or classroom implementation).
We understand that plans can evolve as opportunities shift—especially for summer programs, educational institutes, or travel. Small adjustments to dates, logistics, or specific learning activities are absolutely fine, as long as they stay true to the spirit and goals of your original proposal.
You do not need to list exact hotels, flights, or reservations. However, you should provide enough detail to show the committee that you’ve researched realistic cost estimates, feasible itineraries, and appropriate locations that align with your project.
Do not make any non-refundable reservations before receiving a final decision. If a program you hope to attend is likely to fill quickly, you may reach out to the organization to ask whether they offer:
a hold without payment,
a refundable deposit, or
a waitlist option.
CrossRoads cannot reimburse deposits made before award notification, and we cannot provide guidance about your likelihood of selection.
III. Budget & Funding
Allowable expenses include costs directly tied to your summer learning experience, such as:
Travel (airfare, train, bus, mileage)
Lodging during the fellowship experience
Workshop, course, or institute fees
Museum or site-entry fees connected to your project
Books, materials, or equipment essential to your learning plan
Reasonable food expenses while traveling for project activities
Non-allowable expenses include:
Any costs for family members or companions
Vacation or recreational travel not tied to your project
Personal purchases (clothing, gifts, souvenirs, etc.)
Equipment unrelated to the learning goals
Technology upgrades not required by the project
Alcohol
The key principle: If the expense directly supports your learning plan and your students at Wilbur Cross, it is likely allowable.
You do not need to use the full amount. A strong budget prioritizes what you actually need to execute the project well.
Yes. If your project costs more than $5,000, you should include the full cost breakdown and note how you will cover the remaining expenses. This helps the committee understand the scope and feasibility of the project.
We encourage applicants to build in a modest buffer (typically 5–10%) for fluctuating travel or lodging costs, as long as it is reasonable and clearly justified. This shows the committee you’ve planned realistically and responsibly.
Yes, companions may join you, but none of their costs may be included in your budget. The fellowship may only cover expenses for you, the fellow. If companions come along, you must clearly distinguish your expenses from theirs when booking and budgeting.
Unfortunately, childcare or dependent care expenses can’t be covered by the fellowship. While these costs must be managed personally, we understand they are an important part of planning and encourage you to choose a fellowship schedule that works well for you and your family.
For any additional questions or comments, please contact us at crossroads.wc.ptso@gmail.com