COLUMBUS - The Co - lumbus Education Founda - tion (CEF) has once again demonstrated its commitment to educational excellence by awarding $14,848 in classroom grants to Columbus ISD teach - ers from kindergarten through 12th grade. The grants, which will im - pact approximately 694 stu - dents, are designed to support creative projects that enhance learning opportunities dis trict-wide.
Superintendent Jim Connor expressed deep appreciation for CEF's support, especially during a time of reduced state funding. "Columbus ISD has always valued the creativity, passion, and innovation of our teachers.
Decreased state funding has made it impossible to ful - fill many innovative requests made by our staff. These grants give teachers and staff a chance to showcase their
ideas," Connor stated.
The classroom grant pro - gram aims to enrich student learning by providing teachers with resources to implement creative and effective instruc -
tional strategies. Teachers have an opportu - nity to use hands-on materi - als, unique and differentiated learning experiences to foster an environment where innova tion thrives.
This year, several of the elementary school grant re - cipients are focusing on adapt - ing classroom environments to meet students' learning needs. Projects such as "Cozy Learning Dens for Growing Readers" by Kathryn Mills, Kathryn Jurica and Tina Mor -
row and "Reading Retreat" by Vicki Melnar, create flex - ible, inviting spaces that en - courage reading and writing. Brooke Pawlak's "Flexible and Focused" project and the "Collaborative Outdoor Class - room" led by Lyndsey Felding and Tammy Ruether further support differentiated learn -
ing. Additionally, Tammy Ru - ether and Danielle Klausmey -
er's "Where in the World is Gladys and Gertie" is integrat - ing reading, writing, and edit - ing with pen pals classroom mascots dressed as Mother Goose adding a playful twist to literacy activities. Projects at the junior high and high school levels focus on developing practical skills and preparing students for future careers. Audrey Dyer's proj - ect, 'The Green Scene,' brings STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Technology) elements into her farm-to-ta -
ble garden initiative.
Meanwhile, Maria Dahl - berg is leading 'Principles of Health Science and Medicine,' Debbie Gregory heads 'Pro - tein Labs,' and Amy Veng - haus oversees 'Preparing Fu - ture Educators: Project-Based Learning.' Each offers handson learning in health care, cu -
linary arts, or education.
Collision Repair Auto Painting Frame Work
Connor summed it up by noting, 'The Columbus Edu -
cation Foundation has opened doors for teachers to be cre - ative and innovative through its classroom grant program.'
This year's grant winners are: Elementary School
Kathryn Mills, Kathryn Jurica and Tina Morrow "Cozy Learning Dens for Growing Readers" Vicki Melnar "Reading Retreat" Brooke Pawlak - "Flexible and Focused" Tammy Ruether and Dan -
ielle Klausmeyer "Where in the World is Gladys and Ger - tie" Lyndsey Felding and Tam -
my Ruether - "Collaborative Outdoor Classroom"
Columbus Junior High: Audrey Dyer "The Green Scene" Columbus High School:
Maria Dahlberg "Prin - ciples of Health Science and Medicine" Debbie Gregory "Protein Labs" Alfred Rosa "Senior Book Club" Lindsay Schobel and Matt Brown "Garden Pavers" Amy Venghaus "Prepar - ing Future Educators: Proj -
ect-Based Learning"
