Application Process

How the Dragons Fund supports the scholarship process:

When a student applies to a Where There Be Dragons program, they also have the opportunity to apply for financial aid through Where There Be Dragons. Some students demonstrate financial need beyond the tuition reduction that Where There Be Dragons may provide. These applications are sent to the Dragons Fund for scholarship consideration. Once approved for a Dragons Fund scholarship, the team notifies the student recipient.

 

Educator Opportunity: The García-Meza Scholarship

 

Peter and Kim Garcia-Meza are honored to support the vital work of public school classroom teachers serving underrepresented communities. The García-Meza Scholarship is funded by the Dragon’s Fund and managed by the COMMON Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The scholarship covers tuition, airfare, and more for one public school classroom teacher to participate on any Dragons Educator Program. See below for details, eligibility, and the application process.

A committed educator, Kim García-Meza has taught in San Francisco schools since 1989 and worked as a public school teacher in the Mission District for over a decade. In 2017, she participated in Dragons Bolivia Educator Program and had a transformative experience engaging with a diverse cohort of educators on topics related to climate change, social justice, and indigenous communities. Throughout the two-week course, she found herself wishing that more public school teachers had an opportunity to participate and contribute to cross-cultural understanding and global issues.

When Kim returned home, she and her husband Peter decided to fund a scholarship through the Dragons Fund managed by Carpe Mundi. The scholarship allows one public school teacher from the United States to attend a Dragons Educator course each year. The impetus for this scholarship is rooted in the belief that public school teachers have crucial perspectives to share with peers and students.

Peter and Kim look forward to hearing about the 2025 scholarship recipient’s journey with Dragons!

Download the Application Information

Who:

  • Pre K-12 public school* classroom teacher with a current and valid teaching credential or permit (not open to administrators).  Teacher needs to be working primarily with students of color, low-income, or special needs students. Family members, staff, employees, and contractors of Where There Be Dragons and the García-Meza Family Foundation, or any private enterprises associated with the García-Meza family, are not eligible to apply for the scholarship. Teachers of all genders, sexual orientations, racial or ethnic identities, abilities, and backgrounds are encouraged to apply. *This does not include charter schools.
  • Applicants must qualify for a Dragons Educator Program, to be assessed through the online application and phone interview.
  • Once candidates’ eligibility has been verified, applications for the scholarship will be sent to and independently evaluated by Carpe Mundi.
  • Carpe Mundi will review the applicants and notify the recipient of the scholarship award. Neither the García-Meza family nor employees, family members, staff, or contractors of Where There Be Dragons will be involved in the final decision-making process.
  • The scholarship recipient will have 10 days to accept or reject the scholarship. Should the recipient decline the scholarship, the Board will then select another recipient for the scholarship based on the same criteria outlined.
  • Once accepted, Where There Be Dragons will be in direct contact with the recipient to make the necessary arrangements to attend the Dragons Educator Program.
  • The Scholarship Award Recipient will be required to provide a written report of their experience to Carpe Mundi, the García-Meza family, and Where There Be Dragons within 30 days of completion of the Dragons Educator Program attended. The report may be used to further the interests of the García-Meza Scholarship, the mission of the Dragons Fund.

 

What:

Full funding for any 2025 Dragons Educator Program. The scholarship covers:

  • Tuition
  • International flight (Where There Be Dragons will coordinate booking)
  • International SOS insurance
  • All hotel accommodations
  • All meals
  • All surface transportation
  • Museum, park, and temple entrance fees
  • Journal packet and comprehensive reading materials
  • Donations to charitable causes in the host country
  • Instructor and extra guide fees
  • On-site equipment rental (e.g. bike rental, snorkel rental etc.)

Not included are personal expenses such as the cost of obtaining passports, visa fees, laundry, medical fees, airport taxes, e-mail, health and travel insurance, extra baggage fees, phone calls, etc.

 

When:

The application cycle for the 2025 García-Meza Scholarship is open.

 

How:

Step 1 – Submit online application for an Educator Program.  Do not submit a deposit. Step 2 – Write a letter that includes responses to the following:

  • How will this program impact you as an educator? How will your students benefit from this experience?
  • How will this program impact your school or your curriculum? What is being done at your school to encourage and empower students to engage in cross-cultural learning? What role do you play in this process?
  •   Priority is given to educators who engage with minority and underserved communities both inside and outside the classroom – during summers, after school or through professional or volunteer organizations, and in other areas of their life and work. Please describe how you engage with minority and underserved communities beyond the classroom setting.
  • List your top two program choices in order of preference. We cannot guarantee a spot on your top choice, and being flexible increases your chances of receiving a scholarship.
  • How would receiving this scholarship make this experience possible for you?  What else should we know about your financial situation?
  • Is there anything else that we should know?

Step 3 – Include a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, including a short description of the school and the student population you work with specifically.

Step 4 – Provide a copy of your current and valid teacher’s credential or permit for the state in which you are working with proof of validity through the 2022 school year. Please provide relevant contact information for us to verify with certifying body. 

Step 5 – Include a copy of your most recent tax return/s. Step 6 – Include a copy of your most recent CV.

Questions? Contact Dragons Fund: hello@dragonsfund.org