Springfield teachers receive $235K in grants for classroom projects, student activities

After raising money for months, the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools distributed its Back to School grants Friday to educators in 40 buildings.

The grants support classroom and literacy projects, student experiences, community and family engagement, mental health, and diversity, equity and inclusion projects. Funds also help with science, technology, engineering, arts and math — or STEAM — activities.

In all, volunteers with the foundation awarded $235,957 to at least 80 educators.

"Our Back to School Grant Program is designed to make educators’ dreams a reality by providing the resources they need to inspire innovation in the classroom,” said Natalie Murdock, executive direction of the foundation, in a Friday news release.

“These projects not only fill important gaps but also align with the district’s priorities. We couldn’t make this happen without the incredible generosity of our donors, and I’m deeply grateful for their continued support.”

There were more than 20 grants worth $3,000 or more. Those include:

• $54,490 − Anna Phillips, Beth Nickle at Study Alternative Center, living schoolyard
• $9,358 − Alyssa Wicklund, Kate Marble, Kendall Slaughter at AgAcademy, garden club
• $8,940 − Cammie Hunsaker, Brandon Sigman at Twain and Mann elementary schools, literacy
• $7,296 − Brad Brummel at SPS, active classrooms
• $6,250 − Madalyn Adams at Jarrett Middle, photography
• $5,588 − Christy Davis, Rebekah Kirby at McGregor Elementary, kindergarten
• $5,390 − Aiden Martin at Central High, robotics
• $4,742 − Maggie Dickerson, Amy Hopkins at Rountree Elementary, project
• $4,650 − Betsy Cannella, Kickapoo High, robotics
• $4,634 − Sunday Wildschuetz at Central High, Kilties
• $4,415 − Robert Muench at Glendale High, book clubs
• $4,298 − Lindsay Vaughan at Boyd and Rountree elementary schools, activity
• $4,251 − Christina Wilkins at Pleasant View Middle, literacy
• $4,000 − Amanda Brown at Sunshine Elementary, attendance
• $4,000 − Rebekah Kirby, McGregor Elementary, literacy
• $3,656 − Susan Buist at Student Alternative Center, culinary
• $3,486 − Colleen McGuane at Carver Middle, literacy
• $3,416 − Melissa McConnell, at Cowden Elementary, project
• $3.400 − Emily Shaw, Lisa Ash at academic behavior support, social and sensory
• $3,376 − Katie Burrows, Wendy Felton at Mann Elementary, decoders
• $3,265 − Tana Nelson, Fremont Elementary, family engagement

To win a grant, educators submitted proposals detailing how the extra funds will provide enhanced learning options for students.

The donations for the program came from individuals, groups and businesses.

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Crystal Sharp, president of the foundation board, said this program was a way to give back to the district.

“Seeing firsthand how these grants impact classrooms is incredibly rewarding," she said in the release. "By supporting educators and students, we’re helping to create the same opportunities for success that I experienced, and I’m thrilled to be part of that effort as a board member."

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield teachers receive $235K in grants for classroom projects, student activities