The teacher grant program was started in the 1998-99 school year. Since that time grants worth $131,868.86 have been awarded.

Every year all USD 465 employees are encouraged to participate by donating to the Foundation’s Teacher Grants through a special payroll deduction. These donations, along with other USD 465 gifts designated to this program, are distributed through grants awarded in October and March of each school year. None of the donations are used for any expense of the foundation but are given back in the form of grants.

Grant applications are simple to complete and the recipients are chosen by a committee of foundation members. Our teacher grant program helps to fund innovative projects in our classrooms that would not be possible without special funding.

October 2016 Recipients

Sheila Griffee – Prairie Rose Field Trip for 5th graders

Linda Newby – Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Field Trip for Lowell 4th graders

Kerrie Bryant – Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books for 2nd graders

Michael Bumgarner – Rubiks Cube: Teaching the Twist for WHS students

Deborah Abernathy – Engineering for Kindergarten STEM materials

Brenda Little-Wilson – Choking Manikins for Middle School students to learn life saving techniques

Mary Topper – Stem Learning kits for Early Learners

Cheryl Tolson – Bright Eyes Bright Futures screening materials for Parents as First Teachers

Julie Wilke & Laura Wollard – Di Vinci Printer

Emily Vaughn – Jewelry equipment for WHS

Michael Bumgarner – Breakout EDU, ultra-engaging learning games for WHS students

Jamie Auch – Breakout EDU for WHS SAGE students

Julie Wilke – Game Center for Elementary and WMS SAGE students

Annie Watson – Converter to record records on CD’s for Whittier/Lowell

Sherrie Drake –Tech Testing allowing for hands on skills and fitness testing at Whittier

Karen Rogosch – Spell Checker and Beyond for 5th graders at Whittier

Christy Reams – Audiobooks using Kindle Fire at WMS

Erin Sweetwood – Champs Model to create a classroom environment that promotes student success at Irving/Lowell

Lori Greenlee – Touchless Thermometers for elementary schools