• 2026-2027 Architects in Schools Application: Teachers

  • Thank you for your interest in participating in the 2026-27 Architects in Schools season. You must read the program information and complete the following application to participate. Please read each question carefully and respond thoughtfully.

    Architects in Schools delivers arts programming, environmental understanding, awareness of cultural links to history, understanding responsibility to the natural environment, career awareness and communication skills – all through the principles and practices of architecture and design while addressing required education standards.

    Deadline for Fall Residencies: Sunday, September 20, 2026 (open to teachers who have participated within the past 5 years and have received approval from AFO staff)

    Deadline for Winter & Spring Residencies: Sunday, October 18, 2026

    If you are applying as part of a team of teachers, please be sure they complete their own application(s).
     
    We have listed different options for how you can participate in Architects in Schools this year. If you would like to participate in a way that is not listed, please feel free to contact us!
     
    Questions? Contact Kim Ruthardt Knowles at 503-317-7537, kim@af-oregon.org, Candice Agahan, candice@af-oregon.org, or Sam Majors, sam@af-oregon.org
     
    More about Architects in Schools

  • Have you participated in AiS in the past?*

  • Preferred Residency Participation Term

    If you have participated in AiS in the last 5 years, and would prefer a FALL residency please pause on completing this application and contact Kim Knowles, kim@af-oregon.org for approval by Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

    Please know we may not be able to guarantee your preferred volunteer time. We will do our best to pair you with a teacher that requests a similar option. 

    If you are applying as part of a team of design/building professionals, please make sure that you are all choosing the same time frame for your residency (i.e all choose 'after Janurary...', etc.)

  • When would you prefer that you participate in an AiS residency?*

  • Residency Format

    Often sessions are an hour-long per week, for one to six weeks. However, there are many ways to organize a residency. Please find examples here. 

    After you are partnered with a design / building professional, AFO staff will offer support and assist your team with planning sessions to make sure AiS is best serving you, your design / building professional, and the students. 

  • I am interested in participating in the 2026-2027 AiS season in the following ways:*
  • I would like to partner with a design / building professional to design a custom in-person residency including (check all possibilities you are open to):*
  • I would like to partner with a design / building professional to design a custom virtual residency including (check all possibilities you are open to):*
  • I would like to use Architects in Schools materials without a design / building professional in the classroom to provide design education for my students:*

  • This option (materials only) are NOT residencies that come with a design/building professional partner. AiS online materials include: 

    • Our 300+ page curriculum guide
    • Lesson plans
    • Pre-recorded videos
    • Design challenges
    • and more....
  • Would you be willing to work with a design / building professional from another area of the state on a virtual residency in the instance there isn't a professional to work in-person in your area?*

  • Contact & General Information

  • Pronouns*

  • Teaching Partners

    Do you have another teacher at your school who you want to partner with? 

    This would mean you teach the same grade at the same school, and hope to have similar content taught to your students. 

    If so, be sure to include this following information below:

    • First & Last Name
    • Email 
    • Grade Level

    All interested teachers MUST complete and submit their own application. 

    This will help us plan your team. 

  • I have a teacher I'd like to partner with*

  • Please make sure that you choose the same preferred residency options as your partner teachers on their applications. 

    Example: All team teachers select "in-person residency" on their individual applications. 

  • How many teachers would you like to partner with?*

  • AiS Communications

    You will receive all AiS communications through the email you provided above. Please add kim@af-oregon.org, candice@af-oregon.org, and sam@af-oregon.org to your email contact list. 

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Grade Level*
  • Title 1 School*
  • Do you work with:
  • My school participated in the Architects in Schools program in the past TWO years and my school information is the same.*
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • AFO requires all volunteers in the AiS program to go through a comprehensive criminal background check that we complete. Does your school district require that volunteers also go through your district background check process?*

  • Orientation Information

    All first-time AiS volunteers are required to participate in a virtual orientation. Contact kim@af-oregon.org if you are new and have concerns about completing an orientation.

    If you have participated in the past, but it has been more than 5 years since you attended an orientation, we highly encourage that you attend an orientation as well. 

    AFO will be offering a free, trauma-informed practices workshop, during the school year that will prepare you for working with youth from different backgrounds. We strongly encourage all volunteers, new and returning, to attend the workshop. You will receive a calendar invite when it is scheduled. A recording of the session will be offered. 

  • All program orientations will be virtual. Please choose how you plan to participate in the orientation. Please pick one option.*

  • Residency Information

    Please answer the following questions about your proposed Architects in Schools residency. Be as specific as you can. If you don't know how to answer a question at this point, just put "not sure yet."

    If you have questions, please contact Kim Ruthardt Knowles at 503-317-7537 or kim@af-oregon.org.

     

  • Is there a particular type of design / building professional you would be interested in working with?*
  • Our complimentary 300+ page Architects in Schools Curriculum Guide is available online to AiS participants through our website. In addition to accessing the guide online, would you like to request a hard copy?*

  • It costs us $30 to print and mail a curriculum guide. We will maill all hard copies to participants that request one. If you request a hard copy, please consider donation $30 to AFO to help us with the added cost for this year: www.af-oregon.org/donate 

  • Would you be interested in utilizing a pre-planned AiS residency? This would allow you to choose from popular residency options where all of the lessons are already defined for the class, instead of planning your own custom residency.*
  • Do you already have a design / building professional you have worked with in a previous Architects in Schools season that you would like to be paired with again?*
  • Have you already gotten in touch with your design / building professional?*

  • Optional Residency Questions

    The remaining questions (with the exception of your certification and signature at the end) are optional. They will help us pair you with a design / building professional, but is not required. 

  • Do you suspect some students in your class will have difficulty accessing basic supplies like paper or recycled materials in school or at home, for projects based on the needs of your AiS programming?

  • If yes, teachers will have the opportunity to submit a request to the Architects in Schools Supply Fund, a grant for supplies to use during your AiS residency. Applications will open in December. Feel free to contact Kim, kim@af-oregon.org, if you have questions or are concerned about this. 

  • Teacher Signature

    By signing this application, I am assuring that all information provided is true to the best of my knowledge and that I have read and am fully aware of the program criteria for participating in this program. I will fully participate in the Architects in Schools program to the best of my ability. 

    Applicants will receive an application receipt via the email address provided. If you do not receive an emailed receipt within a week, please notify Kim Ruthardt Knowles at 503-317-7537 or kim@af-oregon.org.

  • In Addition...

     

    I understand the online orientation is highly encouraged for first-time participants and that it will help set me up for a successful residency. 

    I understand that the design / building professional teaching my students is not a trained educator, but is excited about sharing their expertise, and I will work with them and AFO as a team to ensure the success of this residency. If for any reason I am not able to participate fully in the Architects in Schools program, I will notify AFO staff immediately. 

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