MERIT Program

We are no longer accepting applications for MERIT 2021.

For more information about any of the KCI programs, please contact programs@krauseinnovationcenter.org.

What is MERIT?

The MERIT (Making Education Relevant through Innovative Teaching) program has been KCI's premier professional learning program.

This research-based, educator development program is designed to help teachers bolster their curriculum with new teaching methodologies. A series of technology-enhanced learning activities and guest instructors motivate, challenge, and inspire the diverse learners and leaders of the future.

MERIT is a year-long program that starts each spring, includes a two-week intensive summer institute, and continues with follow-up classes in the fall and winter quarters.

MERIT is for any teacher or educational leader who wants to bring what they do to a new level, working with other dynamic educators to focus on technology’s possibilities with creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

What's different this year?

MERIT has always been the pinnacle of KCI's professional learning programs. This year, we are openly recruiting educators from a variety of backgrounds and skills sets. We know that pre-service teachers and new in-service teachers require the high quality professional learning opportunities that other more experienced teachers have access to.

We welcome veteran, pre-service, and new teachers to participate in MERIT21.

Additionally, MERIT participants will be eligible to receive a California Certificate of Achievement as an Education Technology Specialist, and participants will earn 12 Foothill College quarter units. (Note: We will not be offering a stipend for participation this year.)

Research Centered

The MERIT Program seeks to show through qualitative and quantitative measures that new teaching approaches and engaging technology in the hands of a well-trained teacher can improve student learning. Participants have the opportunity to learn to use and contribute to a variety of resources for collaboration, and are required to design projects not simply to provide dynamic learning experiences for their students, but also create open educational resources that will be of value to other teachers and students near and far.

Who is it for? What are the time requirements?

MERIT (Making Education Relevant through Innovative Teaching) is open to educators from around the United States. There are also a few spots for international participants who are fluent in English. Only California educators (who must have been a resident for at least 12 months) are eligible for units upon completion of the program

MERIT is a 10-month commitment, starting with our Program Orientation on June 5, 2021 and finishing in late March, 2022.

All MERIT participants must attend the 2021 Virtual Summer Institute, which will run from Monday, July 12, 2021, through Friday, July 23, 2021. The program runs from 9am - 4pm every weekday.

There are 4 follow-up Saturday meetings between October - March, 2022.

October 2, 2021
November 6,2021
February 5, 2022
March 5, 2022

What will you need to complete?

KCI Edtech Adventure Credits are earned by completing separate tasks from KCI classes (e.g., conference attendance, contest judging, presenting at a conference, etc). Be prepared to participate in this choice-based program.

What is the application process?

Before you get started with this online application, we highly recommend you download the PDF version to review the questions and draft your responses first.
You must also get a supervising administrator to complete a recommendation form for you. The Administrator Support Form can be found here.
Your application and your principal's recommendation are due by May 31, 2021.

View longer video (6:30 min) >

MERIT

This has been the most empowering development program of my professional career - on so many levels! I am ready, and I will, transform learning in and beyond my classroom to change lives for the better.

MERIT

I am amazed that I feel as connected to the people in this room after just 9 days. What you are doing is amazing. I hope to convince more of the teachers I work with to apply!

MERIT

I really appreciated having time to collaborate with the cohort and the instructors to apply what we learned throughout the two weeks. Everyone was open and supportive to helping, and the culture of the program was very friendly. We definitely helped each other to problem solve and push ourselves to beyond our comfort zones.

MERIT

This has been the best professional development experience. I feel like I have a ton of ideas brewing and I am looking forward to tapping into the resources that I gathered from these two weeks.

MERIT

I am very pleased with how the week has gone and wish to tell you how much I appreciate the effort that all the instructors put into their lessons. They are all rock stars in my mind. They have high energy, a "can do" attitude, and lots of positive energy.

MERIT

MERIT was a super FABULOUS experience. Learned so much in an inspiring, joyful, and hands-on way. I'm going to recommend that MERIT instructors come for PD at my school to my principal.