The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 will fund 28 District 58 teacher grants totaling over $30,000 through its 2024-25 Teacher Grants Program. The Foundation annually awards grants to teachers and staff for projects that support student learning.
“On behalf of District 58, I want to thank the Education Foundation for their continued generosity and support of our teachers, staff and students,” said District 58 Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell. “This year’s grants will help provide a variety of unique and impactful learning experiences, and I’m excited to see them in action!”
District 58 teachers and staff submitted their grant applications this fall, and the Foundation’s Grants Committee completed a thorough and blind review of all grant proposals. The Foundation selected projects that showed strong potential to impact instruction using innovative tools and/or techniques. Project proposals must align with the District’s curriculum goals and have measurable outcomes, among other requirements.
“The Education Foundation encouraged teachers and staff to think outside the box when applying for a grant this year. This year’s grant recipients took this challenge to heart and came up with so many amazing ideas! The Foundation is proud to help our teachers and staff make their ideas a reality,” said Anne Healy, the Education Foundation Teacher Grants Program chair.
Congratulations to the 2024-25 Education Foundation Teacher Grant recipients:
- Alyssa Reinholz, Fairmount, “Sensory and Social Emotional Learning Tools”
- Ashley Honn, Henry Puffer, “Accessible Picture Books Display”
- Janette Richelia, Crystal MacNamara and Natalie Cramarosso, Pierce Downer, “Playful Connections: Enhancing Play Skills through Dramatic Play”
- Katie Porter, Whittier, “Regulation and Break Tools”
- Rachel Katoll, Katelyn Morgan and Kayla Kinder, O’Neill, “Calming Corner”
- Christine Kaminski, O’Neill/District Band Program, “F Attachment Trombone for Band”
- Stacie Hamilton, Indian Trail, “Makerspace STEM/SEL Kits”
- Kyle Winter, Joe Perillo and Whitney Cavanagh, All District 58 Schools, “Flying Birdies”
- Janet Hecht, O’Neill, “Green Screen for Creative Learning”
- Anna Trippiedi, Highland, “Flexible Seating”
- Colleen Brejcha, Fairmount, “Cow Eye Dissection”
- Amanda Zimolzak, El Sierra, “Game and Manipulatives to Engage Students in Math”
- Sandi Hudecek and Kylee Grady, Highland, “All Feelings are OK… It’s What You Do With Them That Matters!”
- Katrina Shenton and Liz Sevilla, Hillcrest and Henry Puffer, “Developing 21st Century Skills in the Music Classroom through the Orff Approach”
- Nicole Ferroli, Stephanie Potter and Bernice Homel, O’Neill, “Enhancing Classroom Libraries to Include Texts Paired with Each of the 6 Unit Themes in CommonLit”
- Chelsea Borchers, Indian Trail, “Forward Facing Shelves!”
- Mary Loversky, El Sierra, “Let’s Celebrate the Holidays Around the World”
- Kelly Coleman, Whittier, “Making the Library More Student-Centered”
- Janet Peters, Indian Trail, “You Fly with a Decodable Reader”
- Joan Mommsen, Belle Aire, “Reaching Nonfiction Readers”
- Liz Stroud and Marissa Remus, Fairmount, “Braille and Beyond”
- Laura Velinske and Leslie Hesterman, Hillcrest, “Library Books for DLP”
- Cori Holtze, Highland, Sensory Tools for My Classroom and IEP Students
- Jamie Krier, Kingsley, “High-Interest Nonfiction Books”
- Jessica Atkins, Steve Siemek, Jill Henry, Beth Jania and Krysta Schoeneker, Herrick, “Engineering Masterpieces: Building Cardboard Structures with a ChompSaw Maker”
- Katie Gorvett, O’Neill, “Pottery Wheel Experience”
- Kelly Bilotta, Pierce Downer, “Empowering Engagement: STEAM Resources for Neurodiverse Learners”
- Sarah Pinkus, with Jennifer Johnson, Bobby Mueller, Jill Henry, Jennifer Tartaglione, Nicole Ferroli, Keri Bernhard, Robyn Panico, Danielle Saenz, Katelyn Morgan, Lisa Groch and Rachel Katoll, O’Neill and Herrick, “Time for a Reality Check”
This year’s teacher grant recipients will also be recognized at a spring 2025 Board of Education meeting. For more information on the Education Foundation, please visit www.58foundation.org.
Media inquiries should be directed to Megan Hewitt, community relations coordinator, at 630-719-5805 or mhewitt@dg58.org.