2020 Innovative Educator Grant Awards
The Springfield Education Foundation is proud to award Innovative Educator Grants to educators in Springfield Public Schools for the 2020-21 academic year. The purpose of this grant program is to increase student engagement, improve attendance, serve under-deserved students populations, improve graduation rates, and promote career opportunities and college connections.
Elementary School Awards (K-5)
“”Pathway to Success for At-Risk Readers”
Educator: Constance Anderson
Impact: 175 students
Award Amount: $2107.18
This grant will implement the Get Set for the Code and Quick Reads program for students at risk of reading failure and underserved students, many of whom have dyslexia or other specific language disabilities.
“English Learner Boat Trip at the Coast”
Educator: Sarah Ferren
Impact: 24 students
Award Amount: $864.14
This grant will provide an incredible learning opportunity and experience of a lifetime to 3rd-5th grade students. Students will take a two-hour cruise at the coast where they will receive hands-on knowledge of estuary and ocean life.
“Organized Paraprofessionals”
Educator: Paula Anderson
Impact: 400 students
Award Amount: $2790.00
This grant purchases group dividers and rolling carts to aid paraprofessionals in creating a less distracting environment, which will increase student participation and help reach undeserved groups of students.
“Innovative Classroom Flexible Seating”
Educator: Sarah Bowman
Impact: 30 Students
Award Amount: $1,376.99
This grant purchases flexible seating as an alternative to traditional classroom seating allowing students to make choices that positively impact their learning. This is especially helpful to students with ADHA, autism and other special needs.
“Literacy Learning with LexiaCore5”
Educator: Franchesca Sandoval
Impact: 80 Students
Award Amount: $1,200.00
Literacy Learning with Lexia Core5 is a project that will use a research-based online program to deliver personalized learning experiences for struggling readers schoolwide resulting in reading gains.
Middle School Awards (6-8)
“Project Based 7th Grade Class”
Educator: Andrew Hunt
Impact: 220 Students
Award Amount: $3,000.00
Creating 7 projects for a year’s curriculum of an all-day, project-based, 7th grade class with field trips, community integration, and guest speakers. Projects include: creating “global warming” comic books and artistic chemistry periodic tables, teaching about world cultures and history by writing and performing plays, building clay murals and participating in simulation games. Students will also model ecosystems, and create a competitive shark tank style design project to learn about the Renaissance.
“Mics! Lights! Action! (MLA!)”
Educator: Kateri Davis
Impact: 517 Students
Award Amount: $2,940.00
MLA! greatly enhances the dramatic arts experience for every student, their family and the local community by providing the technical equipment necessary to create and perform high quality productions.
High School Awards (9-12)
“Mariachi for All”
Educator: Jon Bridges
Impact: 50 Students
Award Amount: $3,000.00
This grant will allow for the purchase of new instruments, allowing more students to access the beautiful artform of mariachi music and share it with the community.
“DNA Fingerprinting in the Classroom”
Educator: Ryan Herlands
Impact: 50 Students
Award Amount: $2,686.00
Students will learn essential laboratory skills to develop an understanding of gel electrophoresis and its use in biology and forensics, including the burgeoning field of DNA fingerprinting.
