PEABODY – Details for the projects funded by The Peabody Education Council were released Monday. Nearly $26,000 will be used to fund 57 requests submitted by teachers as part of the Council’s Best Bet program.Of those approved requests, 15 are related to science, 12 assist reading, eight enrich math programs, four provide resources for art and music, and five others involve cultural performances for language arts, social studies and math. Other miscellaneous requests, such as help with the annual spelling bee and fitness programs, were also granted.Projects were approved this year based on their level of creativity and innovative approach to education. To qualify, teachers had to submit detailed plans including guest speakers, field trips and materials that are needed to make a particular lesson go above and beyond their every day method. After much evaluation, the Council chose which projects were capable of their support.Field trips to see Charlotte’s Web at the North Shore Music Theater and the Tidepool Experience at the New England Aquarium, and several DVDs, learning games and books are just a sample of the large variety of educational opportunities now available with the funding.Earnings from the Council’s calendar raffle and donations from local businesses and community members are the only sources for monetary assistance. With that help, the Council has been able to provide extra support for teachers beyond that of the school budget for over 20 years. Each year, for the last five years, more than $25,000 has been raised.”We’re not meant to provide a substitute for funding,” said the Council’s Vice President Martha Holden in an earlier interview. “It’s more that we hope to provide enhancements for (education).”The amount awarded each year depends on teacher initiative and the complexity of the project. This year, requests from the Carroll School totaled close to $6,700, whereas at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, only four requests were made for a total of $680.”We’re kind of under the radar a bit,” Holden said. “Everyone knows we’re out there, but they don’t know exactly what it is we’re doing.” Holden hopes that more teachers, especially those who are new to Peabody, learn to utilize the important services that the Council is capable of providing. All but the Center and Burke Schools received awards this year.Details of the 2007/2008 school year approved projects are available online at the Council’s Web site, www.peabodyedcouncil.org.