Education Grant Recipients

2020 Recipients

Sarah Ackerman

Speedway Junior High School
Purchased: 3Doodler EDU Create+ Learning Pack, supplies, and 3D printer

"My students vary from all different backgrounds, nationalities, and languages...some are just beginning to learn the English language, but through teaching them coding and design software we all come together in a common language and unity. I am so thankful and so blessed to be able to work with kids every day."

Kelly Barnes

Kitley Intermediate School
Purchased: A new kiln for the art students

See Kelly's Video

"It is always my hope to provide an environment in the art room that fosters a safe, fun and inspirational place to learn. I always tell my students that art is an outlet for them to expess themselves, share ideas with the world and communicate their thoughts and feelings."

Jennifer Brackney

Danville Community School Corporation
Purchased: GBC Thermal Laminator and laminating supplies

"I have found myself exactly where I am supposed to be - working in schools supporting children with special needs as they progress through their educational experience. I enjoy problem solving with teachers and parents to find ways to help students overcome obstacles and watching students become successful in areas that at first seem insurmountable."

Dr. Deborah Daniels Calhoun

Pike High School Freshman Center
Purchased: Student packs of whiteboards, markers, and erasers

"I love most about teaching the day to day intellectual relationships, the skills I see my students obtaining, the skills they help me obtain, and the knowledge regarding our subject matter that is gained in the process."

William Doublestein

Boone Meadow Elementary
Purchased: Equipment for experiments that show the physics of sound

See William's video

"Teaching combines my two passions, music and education, but the thing I love most about teaching is the kids! I have always been a kid at heart, and I can certainly relate to the kindergarten through fourth graders I get to see every day. I find their curiosity and enthusiasm to be contagious, and I learn alot just being around them. Having the opportunity to participate in a child's learning is a pure joy, and I think it does as much for me as it does for them."

Derek Fischer

Greenwood Community High School
Purchased: Supplies for the school hydroponic garden

See Derek's video

"I tell people that my main goal is to make students as big of nutrition nerds as me, but my real objective is that I hope to help them find a vocatoin that calls them and sparks their passions as much as teaching nutrition does for me."

Shantel Garrett

North Elementary School
Purchased: Implementation of the JA BizTown program

"The individual and personal growth of each student, increased self-esteem and self-confidence and a love of learning inspires and motivates me in my teaching.

Kathryn Graham

Brandywine Elementary School
Purchased: New sensory space for K-4 students

See Kathryn's Video

"As a special educator or just a friend walking down the hall, I want students to know that I am here for them, and ready to help them find their paths to grounding and regulation so that they can learn and grow."

Joseph Hoffman

Plainfield High School
Purchased: Disc golf supplies for physical education class

"Through the relationships I build with my students, I work to foster a positive environment in which students of all walks are comfortable moving, socializing and experiencing effective methods of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I love moments of 'controlled chaos' with 30+ students engaged in a pickleball tournament or fitness station activity; laughing, sweating and working to compete with one another and themselves."

Anna Jones

Maple Elementary
Purchased: Books for families participating in school virtual family book club

See Anna's Video

"There is nothing better than reflecting upon my day and experiencing that indescribable feeling that I am making a difference in the world. I am playing a small part in building the next generation of leaders for our planet."

Amy McCleery

Mt. Comfort Elementary
Purchased: Supplies for outdoor learning space

See Amy's Video

"Being a teacher provides me with many opportunities to enable students to explore their world while learning new content. Like many teachers, I chose my career to make a difference in the lives of students. Interestingly, though, I find that they are also making a difference in mine. I love the relationships I have built with my students, and I enjoy watching them as they discover new things in their world."

Lindsey Porter

Allisonville Elementary School
Purchased: Kindergarten activity sets

See Lindsey's Video

"Teaching is my passion. Building relationships with my students is an important aspect of teaching. It gives me an opportunity to get to know the students and understand their needs. This not only helps me get to know the child, but the family dynamic as well. I love learning from my students and helping them understand the content taught."

Kristina Sanders

Brookside School 54
Purchased: New books that reflect the student population

"Teaching is my JAM! This is my 17th year of teaching and every year is the BEST year. This year, my teaching role looks different. This year, I am an MCL which means a Multi-Classroom Leader. This job now allows me to help coach teachers on best practices, but also still continue to work directly with students!"

Joseph Shimp

Center Grove Middle School North
Purchased: Mallet instruments for orchestra

See Joseph's Video

"My goal is to inspire students to reach their full potential - not just musically but socially and emotionally. Experiencing the emotions of music together helps us form a bond that is hard to get in other subjects."

Robyn Stout

Sand Creek Intermediate
Purchased: FlashForget Inventor 3D printer with curriculum

See Robyn's Video

"I love helping students find themselves, and realize their true potential. In our world today every student needs an ally to help guide them but also to celebrate their uniqueness and their successes. That is what I love about teaching."

Kimberli Williams

Arsenal Technical High School
Purchased: Kitchen materials for the ARCHES School to Work Program

"It is beyond satisfying to be part of a student's journey toward their young adult life. To work with them to determine an individualized course of action that meets their personal goals; to watch a child blossom into a competent, capable, skilled member of society; to KNOW that the supports they need are in place and that they believe they can have the life they desire is beyond rewarding and I'm very blessed to be able to provide this service to students."

Previous Education Grant Winners

2019 Recipients

Lindsey Bradshaw HSE Intermediate Junior High School Purchased: Science classroom gardening materials	Laura Gunderson Center Grove Middle School Central Purchased: Level-appropriate novels for novice Spanish students
Brett Hawkins Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Purchased: New barred instruments for music class	Amanda Kammer Franklin Township Middle School West Purchased: Pickleball paddles, nets, and balls for PE class
Norman Leonard Pike High School Purchased: Water bottle filling stations in hallway	Amy Mohl Speedway High School Purchased: Korg Krome EX88 Synthesizer Keyboard
Bruce Nelson Indian Creek Elementary School Purchased: STEM 3D pens and accessory kit	Daniel Ng Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School Purchased: Global art exchange initiative
Sheryl Niccum Guerin Catholic High School Purchased: Alternative classroom seating	Melanie Nobbe New Palestine Junior High Purchased: Gimkit live learning game
Katie Norton Southeastern Elementary School Purchased: Outdoor play equipment	Elaine Oldham Washington Woods Elementary School Purchased: Book Fairy book program
Kay Schrage Stony Creek Elementary School Purchased: Osmo Explorer Kits	Jessica Smith Lew Wallace 107 Purchased: Modernize school library with culturally responsive books
Erin Stevens JB Stephens Elementary School Purchased: Badminton Class Pack for PE class	Lisa Thresh Pleasant Run Elementary School Purchased: Sensory pathways
Miranda Vaiagae Southwest Elementary School Purchased: Math stackers

2018 Recipients

Erin Amones New Palestine Junior High School Purchased: Social thinking curriculum	Melissa Bardack Center Grove High School Purchased: Supplies and computer to help with 3D printer design
Stephanie Basile Raymond F. Brandes School Purchased: 30 seat sacks	Edward Berry Franklin Central High School Purchased: Rebranding of business department coffee shop
David Culley Noblesville West Middle School Purchased: Chinese calligraphy supplies	Veronica Curtis Franklin Township Middle School East Purchased: Metal baskets for student desks
Deborah Huffine Guion Creek Middle School Purchased: Gladiator ready-to-assemble, hardwood top workbench	Jennifer Leavell Mt. Vernon High School Purchased: High-interest books for 9–12 classroom
Nicole Little Mary Bryan Elementary School Purchased: Sets of chapter books and bins to store the books	Megan Mathew Hamilton Heights Middle School Purchased: Heartrate monitors and software with licensing
Ann Mennonno Clarks Creek Elementary School Purchased: Makerspace project cart, fully loaded	Angel Myers New Britton Elementary School Purchased: Project Lead the Way launch program modules
Angela Roamer Avon Intermediate School East Purchased: Upkeep with classroom cellos and basses	Danielle Thompson Fall Creek Elementary School Purchased: Outdoor sensory wall
Robert Walls Kitley Elementary Purchased: New Young Hoosier books	Nicole Walters White River Elementary School Purchased: Additional books for the classroom that show diverse cultures
Kerri Wood Belzer Middle School Purchased: Cross-curricular STEM project

2017 Recipients

Chris Atkinson Cherry Tree Elementary School Purchased: 3D Printer for school’s Makerspace	Andrew Brinkman North Central High School Purchased: Music composition and analysis software program
Matthew Goddard Holy Angels Catholic School Purchased: 12 World Music drumming kits	Sarah Cannon Eastridge Elementary School Purchased: Learning rug, outdoor picnic supplies and exercise games
Courtney Chamberlin North Elementary School Purchased: Research-based leveled textbooks for the library	Kristen Fern Super School #19 Purchased: Art and clay making supplies
Miranda Fikes Rosa Parks Kindergarten Academy Purchased: Reading and world-building manipulatives	Kurt Freytag Lawrence Central High School Purchased: IHSAA basketball and cold-weather gear
Todd Hagemeier Westfield Middle School Purchased: 10 disc golf baskets and disc sets	Greg McCord HSE Junior High School Purchased: Maglev track and materials for engineering design processes
Kevin Morse Westfield High School Purchased: Lab technology for science classrooms	Amber Ploutz V.O. Isom Elementary School Purchased: Drama club supplies and costumes
Jennifer Spoor Reagan Elementary School Purchased: 6 Kore Patented WOBBLE Chairs	Amanda Stinnett Pleasant Crossing Elementary School Purchased: 24 stability ball chairs
Leah Trigg Avon High Schools Purchased: Keyboard piano and bench for school choir	Dawn Walker-Seyerle Arsenal Technical High School Purchased: Class set of the book "Everything You Need to Ace American History in One Big Fat Notebook"
Lane Waters Park Tudor Purchased: Picnic tables, watering system and other equipment for outdoor learning community

2016 Recipients

Erin Amones Doe Creek Middle School Purchased: Materials for 7th and 8th grade essential skills classes	Jamie Beck Greenwood Community Schools Purchased: Resources to teach social skills to kindergarten students
Catherine Brinkerhoff Brownsburg East Middle School Purchased: MakerBot STEM supplies including a 3D printer and filament	Douglas Brown Noblesville West Middle School Purchased: Six durable, portable chessboards and pieces to start a school chess club
Cathleen Clady Eleanor Skillen School #34 Purchased: Student classroom books for critical reading and writing	Kathy Drake Pleasant View Elementary School Purchased: Cubelets Creative Constructors Pack of modular click together robots
Melody Gayle Break-O-Day Elementary Purchased: Materials and manipulatives to use at Daily 5 learning stations	Tracie Greene Smoky Row Elementary Purchased: Equabeam tools for math to help students gain number sense
Karen Hovanec Cathedral High School Purchased: Level-appropriate novels for Spanish classes	Kylie Keevy Harshman Middle School Purchased: 50 frogs, 6 fetal pigs and dissections supplies
Jennifer Marlow Carmel High School Purchased: 24 Hanna Instruments’ pH testers	Theresa Mendez Central Catholic School Purchased: A wide range of new books for the school library
Terry Mitchell Guion Creek Intermediate Purchased: Project Lead the Way robotics kits	Nicole Monkul Brooks School Elementary Purchased: STEM design and build engineering centers
Ryan Morphew Options Charter Schools Purchased: Classroom double-sided dry erase boards, markers and erasers	David Nelson Indian Creek Elementary Purchased: Makerspace Pack and materials, including a 3D printer
Carla Redden Stonybrook Middle School Purchased: Science supplies including charts, books and chemicals	Helen Shere Herron High School Purchased: Class set of magnetic models and cell modeling materials
Gwen Wieczorek St. Theodore Guerin High School Purchased: Class set of MiniOne Systems (gel electrophoresis equipment)

2015 Recipients

Vicki Ayres-Benson North Central High School Purchased: Pottery wheel for art class	Kelsey Buckley Zionsville Middle School Purchased: Makerspace for the media center
Bill Buckman Carmel Clay Middle School Purchased: TI Navigator System for calculators	Josh Cecil Noblesville High School Purchased: Classroom cameras for video production
Ashley Connor Sunnyside Elementary, Lawrence Township School Purchased: Independent phonics center during guided reading	Marinda Grove Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Purchased: Homeschool connection lending library
Maureen Hoffman-Wehmeier Greenwood Middle School Purchased: Make My Newspaper design software for school newspaper program	Colleen Ireland Geist Elementary, Hamilton Southeastern Schools Purchased: Math game materials
Adam Jahn Fall Creek Intermediate, Hamilton Southeastern Schools Purchased: Quadcopter drone for computer programming and data analyzation	Kim King Center Grove Elementary Purchased: Guided reading book sets
Jeremy Large New Palestine High School Purchased: Recording equipment to create a recording studio	Christine Miller Shamrock Springs Elementary School Purchased: Physical Education equipment
Barbra Nichols New Augusta North, Pike Township Schools Purchased: Math classroom manipulatives	Alexandra Tubbs Thompson Crossing Elementary, Franklin Township Schools Purchased: GAMEPLAN Curriculum books, charts, visuals and classroom set manipulatives
Kim Ward SUPER School #19, Indianapolis Public Schools Purchased: Action Based Learning Lab math games, manipulatives and Math & Movement colorful mats

2014 Recipients

Jessica Belton Avon High School Purchased: Thermal cycler for DNA hands-on student activities	Clara Crosby Arlington Elementary, Franklin Township Schools Purchased: Creation of a classroom reading center and library
Valerie Ferry Carey Ridge Elementary, Westfield Washington Schools Purchased: A Copernicus reading and writing center for large group instruction.	Kristin Hancock GW Carver Montessori 87, Indianapolis Public Schools Purchased: Picnic tables to turn the school's learning garden into an outdoor classroom
Craig Helming Noblesville High School Purchased: Supplies to introduce students to the craft of woodworking	Amanda Holland Mt. Comfort Elementary, Mt. Vernon Schools Purchased: Interactive learning tools for the classroom smartboard
Kendra Kidwell Abraham Lincoln Elementary, Perry Township Schools Purchased: Classroom supplies including a color-coded rug and student storage sacks	Laura LaCross Riverside Intermediate School, Hamilton Southeastern Schools Purchased: Robotic kits to augment STEM learning
Kelly Looper Guion Creek Middle School, Pike Township Schools Purchased: Books for summer reading	Terri Perkins Francis Bellamy 102, Indianapolis Public Schools Purchased: Character education program to teach prosocial skills to preschool children
Regina Rexrode Stony Creek Elementary, Noblesville Schools Purchased: Broadcast software for the daily student school newscast	Christina Riley Options Charter School, Carmel Purchased: School-wide initiatives focused on team building, leadership and stress relief
Josh Torres Center Grove High School Purchased: A lead pan and set of double seconds to support diverse music education	Danielle Traphagan New Augusta North, Pike Township Schools Purchased: Magellan eXplorist GPS tools to support modern geography and spatial thinking education
Brenda Walde Mary Bryan Elementary and Southport Elementary, Perry Township Schools Purchased: Assessment software used to identify students in need of special services

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