Riecke Professional Development Fellowship
About the Program
Achieve’s Michelle T. Riecke Fellowship funds summer professional development opportunities for faculty.
Application Process
Fellowships are awarded to individuals (up to $3,000) and/or teaching teams (up to $5,000).
This year, Achieve awarded $9,111 to support four professional development programs for six teachers.
Riecke Fellowship by the Numbers
$9,111
awarded to 6 teachers for summer 2026
$137,432
awarded to 106 educators (2004-2026)
Congratulations to the Summer 2026 Riecke Fellows
Leslie Baez
Tuscan Teacher
GRANTED
$1,725
FOR…
Strengthening Literacy Intervention, Orton-Gillingham
where she will participate in literacy training for students with dyslexia and language based learning differences.
Sarah Fakhoury, Sarah Haldeman, Rahmiece Lawson
GRANTED
$4,050
FOR…
Phonics & Morphology Training, IMSE
where they will learn a structured literacy approach grounded in the Science of Reading.
Amy Popp
Tuscan Librarian/Media Specialist
GRANTED
$2,611
TO ATTEND…
ALA Annual Conference, Chicago
where she will learn techniques to teach information literacy to K-6 students.
Rich Cutrona
Columbia High School
GRANTED
$725
TO PARTICIPATE IN…
Intro to Wet Plate Photography, Penumbra Foundation in NYC
where he will learn techniques that will enhance the historic photographic processes unit for his students.
The Fellowship’s Legacy
The Michelle T. Riecke Teaching Fellowship was established with the Achieve Foundation in 2004 in memory of former Board of Ed president Shelley Riecke, who passed away at age 39.
The Fellowship fosters outstanding teaching by enabling educators to undertake continuing education in their fields in the summer, and inspiring them to share the new knowledge they acquire with their District colleagues upon their return to school.
While fellowships are awarded for both subject-specific and broader educational interests, faculty are encouraged to look for programs that nurture their professional passion.
Please contact us with any questions about a program of interest at: riecke@achievefoundation.org
