The Rochelle Lee Teacher Award
The Rochelle Lee Teacher Award (RLTA) is a book grant for Chicago public and charter school teachers to enhance their classroom libraries and develop a love of reading in their students. Teachers complete an online application for an opportunity to receive a $500 grant to purchase books of their choice for their classroom library.
Please read the eligibility requirements and the WITS anti-racist commitment before applying.
If you need assistance with your application or have questions, please email Daphne Robinson at daphner@witschicago.org or call 708-943-7582.
The application period for the Rochelle Lee Teacher Award is now closed. Applications will be accepted from February 24 - April 9 2025.
RLTA Resources: WITS Library Materials
Professional texts available to use in the WITS library (select "professional texts" from drop-down menu). This resource is for RLTA awardees only.
Booksource’s Classroom Organizer is a free, online tool to catalog your classroom library books, create class check-out rosters, manage usage reports, and more. This resource is available for all teachers.
RLTA Resources: WITS Lending Library
The WITS Lending Library contains more than 350 sets of children and young adult books. Titles are available in whole class sets and smaller group sets. Current and former WITS educators may borrow books from our lending library. This resource is for RLTA awardees only.View the Rochelle Lee Lending Library catalog and availability online via LibraryThing.
Contact Daphne Robinson in advance to borrow books from the lending library for your students. This will ensure that the desired books are available, and that a specific time can be scheduled to pick up the books.
Get Involved
program facilitators
Sarah Hoppe Knight
Chief Program & Strategy Officer
