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

More than $113,000 in grants were awarded.

Watch a video of the surprise announcements here.

The recipients are:

• Northeast Magnet nurse Crystal Wolf received a $3,000 Education EDGE grant to create a safe space sensory center.
• Isely Magnet Elementary fourth grade teacher Mechelle Conrady received a $1,524 Education EDGE grant to give students access to current grade-level materials to support social studies regions and Kansas Year of Study.
• Heights High School science teacher Heather Kincaid received a $4,529 Education EDGE grant to purchase stereoscopes for STEM labs and activities.
• Heights High School English teacher Jonnie Norton received a $5,000 Education EDGE grant to purchase podcasting equipment for English Language Arts classes.
• Cloud Elementary fifth grade teacher Chasmyn Lindeman-Thimesch received a $4,033 Education EDGE grant to purchase flexible seating for the classroom.
• Horace Mann K8 Dual Language Magnet music teacher Kaylie Frazee received a $2,824 Education EDGE grant to purchase sixth grade band supplies.
• Stucky Middle School social worker Mikah Kemper received a $3,028 Education EDGE grant to create a sensory/calming room.
• Marshall Middle School science teacher Katie Western received a $4,549 Education EDGE grant to help create a theatre program.
• South High School interrelated teacher Jacqueline Nascimento-Odenheimer received a $4,890 Education EDGE grant to purchase hands-on activities for biology classes.
• Wilbur Middle School library media specialist Hillary Thackery received a $2,000 Education EDGE grant to help fund a visit from author K.R. Alexander.
• Stanley Elementary School social worker Bethany Beal received a $2,150 Education EDGE grant to help create a sensory/emotion regulation room.
• Benton Elementary School music teacher Cindy Swindler received a $4,682 Education EDGE grant to purchase instruments and curriculum for world drumming.
• Allison Traditional Magnet Elementary music teacher Frances Oare received a $4,990 Education EDGE grant to purchase electronic string instruments.
• Allison Traditional Magnet Elementary technology teacher Steve Smith received a $5000 Education EDGE grant to make improvements to the school’s tech classroom.
• Mead Middle School math intervention teacher Carrie Kessler received a $5,000 Education EDGE grant to purchase equipment to encourage movement in a math classroom.
• Jardine STEM and Career Explorations Academy math teacher Echo Nevarez received a $4,982 Education EDGE grant to purchase items to support the school’s positive behavior program.
• East High School technology teacher Josh Collette received a $4,874 Education EDGE grant to bring pneumatics into the classroom.
• OK Elementary music teacher Nina Wilson received a $3,368 Education EDGE grant to purchase dulcimer string instruments for the classroom.
• Southeast High School art teacher Gina Brillhart received a $5,000 Education EDGE grant to purchase tabletop printmaking presses and supplies.
• Christa McAuliffe Academy drama teacher John Stafford received a $4,863 Education EDGE grant to purchase wireless body microphones and receivers.
• Christa McAuliffe Academy art teacher Sarah Elliott received a $5,000 Education EDGE grant to purchase materials to create hands-on learning in graphic design and printing techniques.
• Bostic Traditional Magnet Elementary music teacher Becky Smith received a $4,880 Education EDGE grant to purchase xylophones and metallophones for students.
• Colvin Elementary School ESOL teacher Kristi Lucas received a $4,984 Education EDGE grant to create a multisensory approach to teaching reading and writing to newcomer students.
• Brooks Center for STEM and Arts Magnet Middle School science teacher Kara Winter received a $3,000 Koch classroom grant to create hands-on science activities for at-risk students and students with exceptionalities.
• North High School science teacher Amy Zavala Garnsey received a $2,965 Koch classroom grant to purchase field ecology supplies to conduct habitat and population surveys.
• Marshall Middle School technology teacher Pamela Braden received a $1,166 Koch classroom grant to purchase equipment for the school’s digital media class.
• Price-Harris Communication Magnet Elementary School gifted teacher Charissa Birkhofer received a $2,000 Koch classroom grant to create enhanced learning experiences through a makerspace.
• Curtis Middle School library media specialist Lindsay Bucy received a $3,000 Koch classroom grant to create a virtual reality course.
• Christa McAuliffe Academy music teacher Christina Swedberg received a $3,000 Koch classroom grant to purchase materials and supplies to turn her theatre tech class into a design lab.
• Truesdell Middle School instructional coach Katelyn Schoenhofer received a $2,984 Koch classroom grant to purchase video recording equipment to help create student newscasts

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 awarding grants in 2005, the district has invested more than $2.164 million in these key areas. For more information about the Education EDGE, or to donate, visit. www.usd259.org/edge.

Koch classroom grants support school-based licensed staff in their efforts to provide innovative, quality educational opportunities to students. The grants are limited to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) or business entrepreneurship classroom projects that are aligned with the district’s Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) initiative.