The teacher grant program was started in the 1998-99 school year. Since that time grants worth $193.890.98 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 2026 Recipients
WELC Sensory Smart Classroom – To create an inclusive, high-engagement environment that simultaneously targets physical, emotional and cognitive milestones. (Supports nondivergent learners)
WELC Learning in motion – For preschool and elderly at cumberland Village. Provides funding for purchasing movement geared games and activities for shared learning.
WMS Kylee Brenn Science Labs – Provides hands-on laboratory experiences focusing mainly on Earth and Space Science. (Aligns with the KS State Dept of Education science stds.)
WMS Marisa A Steiner Pop-up Exhibit – To support life-long learning, growth and personal enjoyment of reading through multiple formats. Success will be measured in pop-up exhibits to be created.
WMS Kimber Taylor Whodunit? – This mystery unit will be fun and engaging for students. Learners will be given clues throughout the novel to solve the murder. this is to be hands on with the hope of sparking life-long readers.
Irving/Country View Deborah Abernathy Geli Print Making – Provides geli printmaking plates for students to create a non prints and how they can be used in real world applications.
March 2026 Recipients
WHS Dixie Woodburn – Exhibit in honor of our country’s semi quincentennial, a seven panel pop-up exhibit titled “Becoming the United States: colonial America to Reconstruction.” (More accessible and life-like that a textbook.
WMS Shanna Page – Playaway Audio Books These books take little processing so would be available to students quickly. They are pre-loaded to the device so students don’t need internet access to use them.
Irving Alexis Ahlerich – We’ve Got this in the BAG A family engagement initiative to strengthen math fact fluency and prevent summer learning loss. Each participating student will receive a backpack filled with materials to empower families to plan an active role in their child’s success.
WELC Shanna Prior – This is a hands-on STEM program created for the powerfully important preschooler years ages 3-5. Stem can helps children build confidence and strengthen love of learning.
WELC Cayla Chacon – Growing Strong This is a sensory, balance, gross motor development program to strengthen school readiness for children ages 3-4.
October 2025 Recipients
Irving/Country View Deborah Abernathy – A Beaverbot Cardboard Cutting Tool This would allow K-5 art students to safely cut cardboard for 3-D projects.Cardboard is cheap but hard for students to use. This kid safe tool would open up a free and abundant resource for their art.
WELC Shanna Prior – Outdoor Space This grant is to fund the design and installation of an outdoor educational playground tailored to preschool children ages 3-5. This would include a Literacy Garden, STEM Play Zones, Motor Development Areas, Nature & Sensory spaces, and Inclusive Play Equipment. This playground would serve as an outdoor classroom where children can learn through active exploration.
WELC Meredith Taylor – Little Sprouts This is an early childhood education project that will introduce ages 3-4 to the wonders of growing fruits and vegetables using a hydroponic system with the classroom.
Whittier – Robotics This Robotics is an excellent fit for gifted learners. It promotes creativity, problem-solving, perseverance and innovation. Students learn coding, engineering concepts and develop collaborative innovation and solution finding.
March 2025 Recipients
WHS MJ Harper Mic Protection – Sennheiser Body Pack combined with Clountryman Lavalier microphones that will allow for both diversity of performers and potential growth of WHS arts program.
WHS Scott Nuss Viking Media Trip – Funds to attend JEAN/NSPA National Convention Seattle, WA. This will help students grow as student-journalists, and help work toward more development of the WHS program.
Irving Sally Pipes Greenhouse – This will be an addition to the Outdoor Classroom at Irving
Lowell Katie Hartley Move, wok Breathe – This three step project helps students self-regulate, de-escalate and successfully transition back into the classroom, ready to learn.
October 2024 Recipients
WHS Michael Bumgarner – Listen Up Link Crew The Link Crew Freshman Orientation program trains leaders rigorously to promote team-building, school spirit, and a sense of belonging. This grant seeks funding to purchase a Party/Box State and wireless microphones that will allow consistent communication and increase engagement during training.
Irving/CV Deborah Abernathy Drying Rack these allow up to 40 projects to dry vertically in the space that two projects would take to dry horizontally.
