The Peru Gazette

PLATTSBURGH, March 3, 2026  – Active educators in Clinton and Essex Counties are invited to apply for a $1000 grant that will assist them in their classroom endeavors. The local association of the Retired Educators of New York (RENY), known as the Northeastern Zone (NEZ), will offer the Kramer Memorial Educator Award of $1000 to be awarded to a local educator. 

This biennial award honors Dr. Karl Kramer, former professor and mentor to Education Majors at SUNY Plattsburgh, and long time devoted member of the Northeastern Zone of RENY. The grant is designed to assist active educators in developing and implementing an innovative program or project. 

To be eligible for the grant, an educator must be a full time teacher, nurse, counselor, or administrator in a public school district in the Northeastern Zone region, Clinton and Essex counties (Lake Placid, Minerva, Newcomb). The full grant amount must be used for a program or project to improve instruction, academic achievement, or in support of a current issue in a classroom, school, or district. The grant is for the 2026-2027 school year. The winner of the grant will be determined by the end of June, 2026. 

Informational packets with directions and contact information were sent electronically to District Superintendents in March, 2026 for distribution to educators in their districts. Please contact your Superintendent’s Office for information packets if you didn’t receive one. Additionally, links for the application can be found on the NEZ (https://www.renynez.com) and NCTRC websites (https://www.northcountrytrc.com). Grant applications must be submitted electronically to the Educator Award Committee by May 16, 2026.