How I Received Grants for My Physical Education Classes

by James Hambel, PS 457 The Sheridan Academy for Young Leaders, Bronx, NY

I am very fortunate to have been given an opportunity to share the grants and resources I have received. This article was originally published through SHAPE America last May 2023. Since then, I have received even more resources. I am honored to share them because I firmly believe that everyone should have access to great things. It all started with tennis…

Grants for Tennis Equipment

In fall 2021, I attended a virtual workshop hosted by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). They offer free equipment, including tennis rackets, two types of balls, and tape to create nets, for those who apply. What truly resonated with me was the opportunity to have a tennis professional work with the students. After speaking with the director, tennis pro Steven Mingo visited my school that same month.

Steven’s engagement didn’t end there. He secured a grant through the USTA to return from April to June 2022. His expertise and enthusiasm were invaluable, especially during our field day. In May 2022, I applied for my school to play exhibition matches for NetGen at the U.S. Open —and we were accepted! One of my students was even featured on the cover of a 2023 USTA Eastern Conference publication.

Additionally, the USTA introduced me to PHIT America, which provided us with a lap scanning program called EZ Scan. This program included a Bluetooth speaker, a subscription to the service, and the Billie Jean King Eye Coach (a teaching aid that helps teach all ball-striking skills)[1] .

Sharing these opportunities with fellow New York City PE teachers led to more connections. One teacher shared information about CYCLE Kids, and thus we “traded” resources.

Bicycle Grants

The CYCLE Kids grant, valued at $25,000, supplies schools with bikes, helmets, a bike pump, and textbooks on cycling and nutrition. I applied for the grant in September 2022 after hearing about it from a colleague. By late October, we had received all the equipment.

We celebrated with a special event just before Thanksgiving, featuring Belgian waffles from Wafels & Dinges and bike mechanics to help us assemble the bikes. News12 The Bronx covered the story, which you can watch here.

Our large gymnasium accommodates the bikes, and we use them as part of our PE curriculum. Students’ riding abilities vary, so we tailored activities to suit different skill levels, from balancing and striding without pedals to pedaling.

Tech Grants for PE

Last August, I learned about CREA Interactivity, a company based in New York City. They install large projector screens with movement sensors, which can be expensive. However, after our DonorsChoose project was funded, we installed a screen in late October 2022. Fundraising platforms like DonorsChoose.org can be effective, but additional support from the school’s PTA or local businesses is invaluable.

Despite initial doubts, our persistence paid off. Social media promotion helped raise the necessary funds. Now, my students and even my principal love using the interactive screen for games like the space-based one where students throw beanbags at asteroids and comets.

To 2024 and beyond…

This year, my students have had another opportunity to use the bicycles and AMPED program. They absolutely love using them! I am very appreciative of Payne Stewart Golf and PHIT America because this September, I received my first set of golf equipment!

My daughters are 6 and 3 years old. In February they started attending gymnastics classes at Spotlight Gymnastics. You might remember seeing my older daughter on this SHAPE article.

My younger daughter’s school had a gymnastics program come to their school. I simply asked the directors if I could have some gently used equipment. They were both very gracious to give us a wedge, balance beam, hula hoops and other equipment.

Here are my strategies:

• Network and Ask: Join Facebook PE groups, your state association, and SHAPE America. Connect with colleagues who have won grants.

• Be Proactive: If you have an idea, just ask! Rather than relying solely on email, call and speak to someone. Personal interactions can make a difference. Many companies have social media accounts. You can reach out to them through there.

• Collaborate: Seek help from colleagues with strong writing skills for your application.

• Know Your Needs: Clearly understand what you want and your budget. When I speak to a company or someone, I am clear with what I want. Do your research.

Check out PHITamerica.org and all the available resources and campaigns like: The Most Important Job in America-PE Teacher!

For additional rewards programs, reach out to the governing bodies of various sports like the USTA or the United States Bowling Congress (USBC). For instance, as a professional bowler, I was named a Bowler’s Ed Curriculum Specialist.

I’m always happy to help and stay in touch with the companies mentioned. Remember, “Don’t just look for a grant, look for a partnership.” As of writing this, I am hoping Steven Grant can attend my school’s upcoming field day like he did in 2022.

This might seem like a lot. At the end of the day, it’s incredibly worth it. I recently had a student say they “like golf more than tennis.” It makes me smile because my students have had the opportunity to try both. They can pick activities that they like and hopefully want to play them as they get older. Is that not the goal of any physical education/physical literacy program?

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Jim Hambel is a physical education teacher at PS 457 The Sheridan Academy For Young Leaders in the Bronx, New York. He has taught in all five NYC boroughs. He has a teaching license in PE as well as general education and special education for grades 1-6. Jim is a member of the Professional Bowlers Association and also a member of the US Bowling Hall of Fame.

Since 2007, Jim has also stayed involved with American Football as a Middle/High School Official. In November 2022, he was named a Bowler’s Ed Curriculum Specialist.

He was named the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Elementary Physical Education Section Amazing Person and recognized with the 2021 Dr. R. Doris Corbett Johnson Leaders for Our Future Award. He has a beautiful wife and two amazing daughters. He is proud and excited to be an AMPED ambassador and part of the PHIT America Advisory Team.

A unit that helps teach ball-striking skills, including tennis.