2025 SEF Grant Awards
Springfield Education Foundation is proud to award 36 SEF Grants to educators in the Springfield Public School District for the 2025-26 academic year, for a total of $80,523 in funding! These awards will fund exciting projects at 15 schools in our district.
Three types of grants given to educators this year are as follows:
Innovative Educator Grants
This grant program is to empower students through the enrichment/enhancement of current programs; provide new learning opportunities to keep students engaged; encourage positive behavior; increase a sense of belonging at school, reach underserved populations; and/or promote career opportunities and college connections.
Social Emotional Learning Fund (SELF) Grant
The purpose of this grant program is to offer funding for educators that wish to implement sustainable social-emotional learning opportunities for students attending school in the Springfield School District.
Frank Sherman Grants
The purpose of this grant are to promote and support health, physical fitness, and outdoor education activities and curriculum offered at Springfield Public Schools.
District-Wide Awards
“Black Student Union Conference“
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Xavier Davis, Teacher on Special Assignment
Impact: 100 students
Award Amount: $3,000.00
The Black Student Union (BSU) Conference provides Black and biracial students with mentorship, career exploration, and cultural celebration. It fosters community, leadership, and belonging, offering opportunities for students to connect with professionals and peers, while promoting long-term student development.
“Button Making Project“
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Garrett Davidson, Springfield Youth Transition Program Coordinator
Additional Educators: Megan Burrell, Transition Specialist at SHS
April Biancalana, Transition Specialist at THS
Impact: 100 students
Award Amount: $978.29
This project supports the Springfield Youth Transition Program by creating a button-making business to teach students with disabilities transferable job skills, including communication, teamwork, and customer service. Profits will support work certifications and promote diversity and inclusion for special education/transition students who are developing skills for work.
“Expanding World Language Libraries for Diverse Elementary Populations”
Innovative Educator Grant funded by the Cressey Family Foundation
Educator: Karen Babcock, District Library and Media Specialist/TOSA
Impact: 4,000 students
Award Amount: $3,960.00
Supporting literacy development, fostering inclusion, and creating a more equitable learning environment for all students by increasing the availability of books in languages other than English in our elementary libraries, this project funds hundreds of new world language books for K-5th grade.
Elementary School Awards (K-5th grades)
“Designing a Reading Room Conducive for Student Learning“
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Franchesca Sandoval, Reading Teacher
Impact: 75 students
Award Amount: $3,305.42
This project aims to transform the Reading Room into focused “Learning Pods” with sound-dampening barriers, flexible seating, and tools like ortho and word mapping boards to support struggling readers in developing grade-level literacy skills.
“Building Foundational Handwriting Skills“
Innovative Educator Grant funded by Springfield Rotary Club
Educator: Tracy George, Teacher
Impact: 120 students
Award Amount: $1,755
Handwriting is a foundational literacy skill that begins in kindergarten and first grade. The clear, systematic, hands-on instruction of the Handwriting Without Tears program develops strong skills and these materials are an essential tool for impactful student practice and instruction.
“Healthy Moves for Students!”
Frank Sherman Grant
Educator: Sarah Whisler, PE Teacher
Impact: 300 students
Award Amount: $1,000.00
This project brings Healthy Moves’ PE Recess and Jump Start programs to our school, providing supplemental physical activity four days a week. Students will receive up to 100 additional minutes of directed physical activity, boosting fitness and learning.
“Sport Stacking, Adapting, and Mindful Movement for All”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Misty Acker, Physical Education Teacher
Additional Educators: Ga-in Choi, Music Teacher
Impact: 265 students
Award Amount: $4,000.00
All students, regardless of ability, will be equipped with sport stacking gear, mindful movement mats, and adaptable PE tools to promote fitness, emotional regulation, engagement, and brain development through inclusive, differentiated physical education experiences.
“Bilingual Book Bag Project”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Joni Wareham, ELD Instructor
Impact: 40 students
Award Amount: $940.00
Our goal is to provide quality bilingual books for families to read at home with their K-2 grade English as a Second Language (ELD) students. It also builds a library of high interest books in Spanish and English for bilingual students in grades 3-5, ensuring equitable access to diverse, high-quality books for Spanish-speaking families and supporting continued language and literacy growth.
“Supplement Healthy Moves Program in Elementary School”
Frank Sherman Grant
Educator: Megan Knight, Principal
Impact: 265 students
Award Amount: $1,000.00
The Healthy Moves Program provides physical activity for K-5 students before school, promoting focus and behavior improvement. UO student trainers lead 30-minute sessions with warm-ups, games, and stretches. Funding supports trainers, training, and program evaluation.
“Hoops and Nets for Health, Fitness and Fun!”
Frank Sherman Grant
Educator: Misty Acker, Physical Education Teacher
Impact: 265 students
Award Amount: $1,000.00
This project funds durable hula hoops and portable nets, bringing fun and excitement to students while positively affecting their health and well-being for a lifetime. The equipment supports diverse, standards-based instruction and enhances physical health, engagement, and social-emotional growth.
“Kelso Curriculum Updates”
Social Emotional Learning Fund (SELF) Grant
Educator: Emily Miller, Elementary Music Teacher
Additional Educators: Cayla Lussier, School Psychologist
Impact: 350 students
Award Amount: $774.90
This project funds updated Kelso’s Choice curriculum materials to strengthen conflict resolution skills, reduce physical aggression, and support SEL and PBIS goals through consistent, schoolwide implementation of engaging, developmentally appropriate tools and strategies.
“Cursive Writing Without Tears”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Heather Dillon, Teacher
Additional Educators: Beki Rundstrum, Teacher
Impact: 60 students
Award Amount: $1,974.00
The Handwriting Without Tears curriculum will teach 3rd graders cursive writing, improving legibility, fluency, and reading skills. Students will also gain the ability to read primary sources, such as historical documents, in cursive, with materials for continued practice and sustainability.
“Reading – The Cheapest Way To Travel”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Stephanie Lovdokken, 4/5 Teacher, District TAG Coordinator
Additional Educators: Beki Rundstrum, Teacher
Impact: 190 students
Award Amount: $996.48
An additional set of Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) books will be provided for each 3-5th grade classroom, ensuring all students, including struggling readers, can participate in the program. This will foster academic growth, teamwork, and a sense of belonging for all learners, allowing students of all levels will travel through time and delve into worlds they may have never known.
“Yoga & MIndfulness”
Frank Sherman Grant
Educator: Molliana Poiliak,PE Teacher
Impact: 380 students
Award Amount: $315.00
This project provides 30 yoga mats to integrate yoga and mindfulness into PE, helping students develop focus, emotional regulation, and self-awareness while supporting physical, mental, and social health across all grade levels.
“One School One Book”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Lonnie Usrey, Assistant Principal
Impact: 382 students
Award Amount: $3,910.50
The One School, One Book Program engages families in a school-wide literacy initiative. All students and staff receive the same book, and read along together at school and home. It promotes family involvement, enhances reading skills, and fosters a strong school community through school-wide discussions and activities.
“STEAM in the Four Spheres 2025-26”
Frank Sherman Grant
Educator: Sara Burgin, 5th Grade Teacher
Additional Educators: Lindsey Dennis, 5th Grade Teacher
Impact: 75 students
Award Amount: $4,000.00
This program will enhance 5th-grade learning through experiential activities focused on Earth’s four systems. Students will engage in 11 hands-on STEAM experiences, promoting academic growth, social-emotional skills, and environmental awareness throughout the school year.
“Adventures in Literature“
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Jennifer Robinette, 5th Grade Teacher
Additional Educators:Amy Paschall
Impact: 75 students
Award Amount: $634.05
This project will provide 5th grade students with immersive novel studies, improving student comprehension, critical thinking skills, and civil discourse. These Newbery Medal winning books will fostering community and cultural awareness and engage students in a meaningful way.
Middle School Awards (6th-8th grades)
“Reaching All Readers: Building Bridges with Books“
Innovative Educator Grant funded by the Cressey Family Foundation
Educator: Carol Grau Brull, Library Manager
Impact: 458 students
Award Amount: $3,700.00
This grant updates our library with engaging, inclusive, and accessible titles, that will foster a love of reading, boost academic success, and create a welcoming space where all students can discover books that excite and inspire them.
“Enhancing Math Learning Through Whiteboards & Active Engagement”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Alicia Felton, 8th Grade Math & Science Teacher
Impact: 150 Students
Award Amount: $3,781.72
This project secures funding for vertical whiteboards to boost student engagement, collaboration, and math proficiency. The goal is to improve participation, confidence, and performance through sustainable, evidence-based instructional strategies.
“Speak Out Loud!”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Kim Hanson, ELD Teacher
Impact: 83 students
Award Amount: $2,370.00
This project will provide an engaging, tech-driven way for ESL students to build confidence and improve speaking skills in a low-pressure, self-paced environment. It aims to improve the speaking and pronunciation skills by integrating iPads and microphones into their classwork.
“Embedding Kindness as Part of our 7th Grade Culture”
Social Emotional Learning Fund (SELF) Grant
Educator: Jennifer Mays, Counselor
Impact: 180 students
Award Amount: $393.28
This project fosters a culture of kindness among 7th graders through art, activities, and peer engagement, aiming to reduce negative interactions, build community, and promote empathy, positivity, and personal growth throughout the school year.
“Books, Tools, and Open Skies; A Library and Outdoor Makerspace“
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Valerie Graybill, Library Manager
Impact: 550 students
Award Amount: $2,000.00
This project helps to transform the library’s underutilized courtyard into a dynamic Maker Space, inspiring innovation, collaboration, and creativity among students by providing a dedicated space and activities for hands-on learning, exploration, and problem-solving.
“Empowerment Through Reading“
Innovative Educator Grant funded by the Cressey Family Foundation
Educator: Brandy Selby, 7th Grade Language Arts/Social Studies Teacher
Impact: 170 students
Award Amount: $1,753.20
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a book that touches students deeply. Through this grant, we will provide students with their own copy of the book to help foster empathy, and an appreciation and excitement for reading.
High School Awards (9th-12th grades)
“Metal Arts and Blacksmithing Class”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Andrew Hunt, Teacher
Additional Educators: Jared Mills, Co-Teacher
Impact: 250 Students
Award Amount: $3,584.15
Integrating STEAM, sculpting, and science, students will participate in 4 weeks of hot and cold forging of metals such as steel, copper, brass, and aluminum. Students gain vocational skills through 14 sculpture projects, exciting field trips, and labs focused on metallurgy.
“Digestive System Aprons”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Katie Ryan, Science Teacher
Impact: 200 students
Award Amount: $342.81
Students will scale, sketch, and paint their own digestive systems onto canvas aprons, blending anatomical study with artistic expression. This hands-on project deepens understanding of human physiology through creative, interdisciplinary learning in an engaging classroom environment.
“Enhancing Digital Design Education”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Constance Van Flandern, CTE Digital Design Teacher
Additional Educators: Jared Mills, CTE Photography & Video Arts Teacher
Impact: 160 students
Award Amount: $4,000.00
This project supports the purchase of 20 iPads for the Visual Arts program, enhancing Career and Technical Education by providing students with industry-standard tools for digital design, animation, photography, and video production, preparing them for future careers.
“Cake Frosting Art”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Ruxandra Westra, Educational Assistant
Impact: 20 Students
Award Amount: $3,584.15
This grant will support the Cake Club, providing a creative space for students to explore cake decorating as a career path, develop leadership and soft skills, and participate in SkillsUSA competitions, fostering a sense of belonging and engagement.
“Source of Strength”
Social Emotional Learning Fund (SELF) Grant
Educator: Wendy Zacharias, Counselor
Impact: 250 Students
Award Amount: $1,000.00
This project supports a schoolwide suicide prevention program led by trained staff and diverse peer leaders, using student-generated campaigns to promote emotional regulation, resilience, and connection through engaging, inclusive activities and visual displays.
“Safe and Comfortable Seating for a Behavior Classroom”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Christy Plaunty, Teacher
Impact: 20 students
Award Amount: $963.18
This fundings provides safe and comfortable seating for students, fostering positive classroom behavior and enhancing focus on learning. The new seating will create an environment that supports student well-being and academic success for students navigating trauma and disabilities.
“Tapping Into The Future”
Frank Sherman Grant
Educator: Jon Bridges, Teacher – Band/Mariachi
Additional Partner: Chandler Larsen, Percussion Coach
Impact: 125 students
Award Amount: $2,069.25
This project replaces aging marching percussion instruments to improve sound quality, expand student access, and support a growing, high-performing drumline that serves both school and countywide programs, enriching performances for thousands in the community each year.
“Science Olympiad for Springfield Schools”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Ryan Elliott, Science Teacher
Impact: 90 students
Award Amount: $2,920.00
This proposal provides funding to establish Science Olympiad teams at Springfield Public Schools, providing necessary resources and fees for middle and high school students to compete, foster interest in science, and pursue scholarships in engineering and science.
“U1 Visualization”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Samuel Pabst, Science Teacher
Additional Educators: Miranda Wilbourn, Nancy Buchanan, Science Teachers
Impact: 300 students
Additional Partner: Ryan Herlands
Award Amount: $748.00
Funding will enhance physics instruction with hands-on tools like magnets and ball launchers to help 9th grade and AP students visualize abstract concepts, improve diagramming skills, and better understand complex systems through interactive learning.
“Renewing Nonfiction”
Innovative Educator Grant funded by the Cressey Family Foundation
Educator: Danielle Scheider, Library Manager
Impact: 1,200 students
Award Amount: $3,000.00
We aim to update our library’s nonfiction collection with current, accurate resources across various subjects, ensuring students have access to relevant materials that support academic growth, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.
“Joint Venture Business Start-Up”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Deborah Baker, Business Teacher
Additional Educators: Crystal Martorano, Culinary Teacher
Chris Peppin, Life Skills Teacher
Impact: 100 students
Award Amount: $3,993.00
This project launches a student-led Joint Venture uniting Business, Culinary, and Life Skills programs to run a profitable and educational enterprise. Students gain hands-on experience in marketing, finance, sales, and production while fostering collaboration and shared success.
“Maintaining Excellence”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Conor Egan, Teacher/ Director of Bands and Orchestras
Impact: 150 students
Award Amount: $3,832.00
This project seeks to improve the music program by upgrading the music library system and establishing a school-based instrument repair clinic available to all SPS middle and high schools. The library upgrade will protect and streamline music storage, while the clinic will reduce repair costs, improve turnaround times, and provide career training opportunities for students.
“Exhibition Time”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Perry Joseph, Arts Teacher
Impact: 10 students
Award Amount: $500.00
Thanks in part to SEF, several students in the art program have been juried into art shows and/or received recognition and awards for their art. This project provides supplies to create high-quality frames for student artwork, ensuring timely and cost-effective exhibition opportunities for students who produce exhibit-quality work.
“3D Printing for Robotics Components in Introductory Courses”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Dalynn Kenerson, Teacher
Impact: 100 students
Award Amount: $2,819.45
This project aims to provide students in Introductory Robotics Courses with hands-on experience in CAD and 3D printing, enhancing their skills in design and engineering through practical applications, group challenges, and prototyping for career and college preparation.
“Wonderful World of Welding”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Polly Kohl, Metals Manufacturing Instructor
Additional Educators: Greg Proden, Chris Wilson, Jeff Rempel
Impact: 190 students
Award Amount: $4,000.00
This project aims to equip welding students with industry-standard equipment, including the Millermatic 255 MIG welder, to teach advanced welding techniques like spray arc welding, enhancing their employability with hands-on experience and industry certifications.
“Blacksmithing Tools for the Metals Shop and Blacksmithing Club”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: John Lovdokken, Teacher
Additional Educators: Polly Kohl, Metals Manufacturing Instructor
Impact: 200 students
Award Amount: $3,500.00
This project aims to upgrade the school’s metal shop with essential blacksmithing tools, including anvils, hammers, tongs, and a vise, to enhance student creativity and skill. This will benefit current and future students for years to come and open the door to creative, quality projects that are professional and artistic.
“GPS Applications in Forestry and Watershed Management”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Andy Petersen, Teacher, Forestry and Natural Resources
Impact: 140 students
Award Amount: $3,994.76
This project will teach students GPS technology for forest and watershed management, including mapping, navigation, and data collection. They’ll apply these skills in tree inventory, riparian habitat assessment, and sustainable land management, preparing them for future geospatial careers.
“Improved CPR Certification Tools for Future Medical Professionals”
Innovative Educator Grant
Educator: Kristen Rosenblum, CTE: Health Science and Science Teacher
Impact: 30 students
Award Amount: $3,987.82
Provides much-needed funding for updated CPR training tools, including feedback manikins, AED trainers, and other required materials, to support AHA BLS certification needed for any healthcare career. Students will now have resources to participate in SkillsUSA, HOSA, and health-related coursework.
SEF Grant Tour, May 28, 2025
