Foundation awards $18,633 in teacher grants

From planting gardens to competing in culinary competitions, 26 teachers in the Pittsburg school district hoped to expand learning opportunities for their students with enrichment activities and additional resources. 

In coming months, they’ll be able to make that happen thanks to $18,633 in teacher grants awarded by the USD 250 Foundation.

The Foundation raises the funds for the annual grants at events like Night of the Dragons — this year’s is planned for Feb. 23 at Crestwood Country Club — and through private donations.

“Our teacher grant initiative started in 2008 when we gave out $2,250 in grants and has grown due to the generosity of this community. We’re grateful for what these teachers do for our students every single day, and we’re excited to see how these grants help them make even more of a difference," — Foundation President Dawn McNay.

This year’s recipients include:

George Nettels: Whitney Rogers (Container Garden Project), and Lacey O’Brien and Natalie Vanderbeck (STREAM Family Night).

Lakeside: Melinda Kitchen (Reading Celebration).

Meadowlark: Kayla Campbell (Alternative Seating); Garrett Thurlo (Resources & Activities to Support Reading); and Abby Crandall (STEM Adventures & Positive Reinforcement).

Westside: Christa Scritchfield (Engaging Activities for Mornings, Physical Activities for the Classroom); Jennifer Ellis (Eureka Math Lesson); Westside K-Kids (Kindness Matters Project).

PCMS: Leroy O’Bray (Weight Room Equipment); Shelby Callaway and Tami Johnson (Special Education Resource Math); Melodee Knopp and Ashlei Bockover (Science Vacuum Pump); Monica LaForte, Erica Mortin, Lijun Zhu, and Kris Lettenmaier (Building Identity through Literacy); and James Cameron, Christy Watt, and Jordan Woods (Physical Education and Health Equipment).

PHS: Breana Clark (Adaptive Music Class Instruments); Steven Seeley (Science Equipment); Jill Kangas (Headphones & Microphones); Emily George (Reading Materials); and Anthony Fischer (Culinary Competition).

Additionally, the Foundation also provided $500 to each elementary school for field trips. 

“These grants will keep on giving. They speak to the greatness of our teachers — they go above and beyond, and what they’re doing will have a lasting impact on our students." — Foundation President Emeritus Micky Painter.