WPS staff surprised with Education EDGE mini grants

Twenty-four teachers and school-based staff members across the district were surprised with the announcement that they received Education EDGE mini grants to support their classroom projects. District administrators and members of the Education EDGE steering team surprised them in their classrooms to celebrate their grant.

More than $31,000 in grants was awarded.

The recipients are:

• Robinson Middle School science teacher Monica Gross received a $1,500 grant to purchase materials for a project where students will predict which types of habitats are best for increasing animal biodiversity.
• East High science teacher Ryan Williams received a $1,500 grant to purchase eSports equipment.
• East High School FACS teacher Bill Loudermilk received a $1,500 grant to purchase a commercial mixer for the culinary classrooms.
• Northeast Magnet art teacher Jennifer Larsen received a $1,500 grant to host a guest speaker for the school’s annual “Magnet Day” event.
• Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet gifted teacher Amanda Harcus received a $1,500 grant to create a program to teach 4^th-8^th grade gifted, bilingual students how to sew.
• Little Early Childhood Center nurse Elizabeth Noble received a $1,500 grant to purchase new equipment for the school’s Health Room.
• Earhart Environmental Magnet Elementary fifth-grade teacher Trey Thompson and interrelated teacher Elise Kratz received a $1,500 grant to purchase books for classroom libraries as well as an outdoor library and book walk.
• Isely Traditional Magnet Elementary fourth-grade teacher Sara Miller received a $1,500 grant to purchase novels for fourth graders to help increase reading proficiency.
• Caldwell Elementary social worker Cameron Rhodes and fifth-grade teacher Kim Williams received a $1,500 grant to create a school store where students could purchase basic need items with earned credits.
• Mayberry Cultural & Fine Arts Magnet Middle School social studies teacher Kimberlee Hughes received a $1,500 grant to purchase external microphones, tripods for iPads, green screen material and recording pods for students to use to create videos.
• Mayberry Cultural & Fine Arts Magnet Middle School technology teacher David Maneth received a $1,500 grant to purchase equipment for a digital photography class.
• Allison Traditional Magnet Middle School technology teacher Steve Smith received a $1,500 grant to purchase VEX robotics equipment.
• Northwest High School drama teacher Jerry Wehry received a $1,500 grant to expand the school’s current stage.
• Northwest High School science teacher Clark Sturdevant received a $1,500 grant to purchase 3D printers for Career and Technical Education and Project Lead the Way programs.
• Southeast High School counselor Boyd Teemant received a $1,500 grant to create a multipurpose sand pit for the school’s JROTC, PE department and Counseling Department.
• Southeast High School business teacher Kinsey Colclasure received a $1,500 grant to purchase a portable coffee cart to teach students how to run a business.
• Hamilton Middle School science teacher Michael Meyer and leadership teacher Joseph Clay received a $1,500 grant to create interest-based learning opportunities for students enrolled in the school’s after-school program.
• Hamilton Middle School interrelated teacher Tammy Gorges received a $1,500 grant to create a classroom library.
• Hamilton Middle School interrelated teacher Sara Wharton received a $1,500 grant to create the Hamilton Project Lit Book Club.
• South High School Applied Academics teacher Brooke Baldwin received a $1,500 grant to purchase equipment to create a yoga and mindfulness program for students.
• Woodland Elementary and Linwood Elementary art teacher Cynthia Panek received a $1,500 grant to purchase a document camera to help demonstrate art techniques for students.

Click here to see a photo gallery of the Education EDGE grant winners.

The Education EDGE is the district's educational foundation, allowing private donors to support three key areas – classroom mini-grants, fine arts and athletics – not supported by traditional funding resources. Since the foundation began in 2005, the district has invested more than $1.275 million in these key areas. For more information about the Education EDGE, or to donate, visit. www.usd259.org/edge.