Sponsored by: The Lawrence Township School Foundation
Purpose: To reward a staff member for an innovative idea that, if implemented, meaningfully impacts the MSDLT organization through efficiency, effectiveness, AND significant quantifiable improvements.
Eligibility: Any MSDLT non-administrative, staff member* that is employed as a certified or classified staff member by the MSD of Lawrence Township at the time of submission. The idea AND submission must be from an MSDLT staff member.
*Continued employment with MSDLT for at least 24 months if awarded the $20,000 or the money must be refunded. See Excellence Design Challenge Agreement for specifics.
How it works:
- A staff member(s) may complete the “planning application” which will indicate an interest in the Design Challenge and provide a summary of the idea. This will be an electronic submission.
- The MSDLT Excellence Design Challenge Team (MEDCT) will review the planning applications and determine which ones meet the requirements to move to the “Research and Development” (R and D) phase to complete the “full application”. The applicants who move to the R and D phase, who will be called “finalists”, will be notified by email with more information about the full application.
- The finalists will need to complete their R and D phase on the proposal outside of the contract day. A progress report will be due to the committee mid-way through this phase. A fully completed application package must be submitted by the deadline in order for the R and D phase award to be presented. The applicant is not implementing the idea during the R and D phase– the applicant is creating the action plan for the implementation of the idea.
- Full applications will then be reviewed by MEDCT members and the winner (or winners) will be determined. Dr. Smith will be the final vote in the process. Finalists as well as the winner (winners) will be announced at the End of the Year Celebration for all staff members. If the Superintendent does not deem any of the applications meet the qualifications of champion, the district reserves the right to not make a monetary award.
Requirements:
- The idea must be unique to the individual or to the school district. It cannot be a pre-packaged program or implementation of a copyrighted program. It cannot be a curriculum or published resource. It cannot be a purchased software or web based product.
- The idea must impact a large part (a grade span such as elementary or a large division such as transportation) of the overall MSDLT system. Ideas for single school or classroom based ideas will not be accepted. ∙ Applications may be submitted by more than one employee, but all involved must be identified at the beginning of the planning application process. Monetary awards are shared by the number of applicants.
- Only one idea should be submitted per application.
2024-2025 Timeline:
Friday, December 6, 2025 – Release of information about 2024-2025 Design Challenge.
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - Planning application available. - Click here to submit an application.
Friday, January 3, 2025 – Planning Application Due - must submit electronically by midnight
Friday, January 31, 2025 – Planning Application Finalists notified via email
January 31 – April 4, 2025 – Research and Development Phase for Finalists – completion of application package
Friday, April 4, 2025 - Full Application due / R and D Monetary Awards Presented to Finalists
($750 per application; will be divided if more than one applicant).
Friday, May 23, 2025 – MSDLT Excellence Design Challenge Winner(s) Announced at Teacher of the Year Celebration ($20,000 total award; will be divided if more than one idea is selected; will be divided if more than one certified staff member contributed to final application).
click here to access a printable version of the design challenge year 9 overview
