Enriching education in our communities
March 5, 2015
$220,116.84 granted to area teachers since 1991
Created in 1991, Saginaw Community Foundation’s Grants for Excellence teacher mini-grant program was established by and initially funded by the King Family Fund and the Wickson-Link Foundation. This mini-grant program provides a source of funding for unique, creative educational initiatives and projects not currently supported by schools’ budgets for schools located in Saginaw County. Over the past 24 years, a variety of funding sources, including the initial funders, have provided support for this initiative. A total of $220,116.84 has been granted.
The Grants for Excellence program is designed to enhance student experiences and curriculum activities, develop projects to facilitate different learning styles, motivate student curiosity and learning, supplement additional funding sources, purchase educational materials and/or bring non-traditional resources to the classroom, develop and share innovative methods and tools for teaching and inspire professional growth.
“We recognize the tremendous effect teachers can have on the lives of young children. We also recognize that many demands and requirements are placed on teachers today,” said LeeAnn Martuch, program officer. “These mini-grants provide an opportunity to reward outstanding teachers in Saginaw County for taking the extra effort in the classroom.”
All Saginaw County Pre-K–12 teachers and instructional staff are eligible to apply. While more than one application may be submitted, only one grant will be awarded per individual, per year. The project must be implemented between Jan. 1 and June 30.
Applications are reviewed anonymously on a competitive basis by an advisory committee consisting of civic and community volunteers and educators. Individual proposals are evaluated based on:
• Number of students involved in and/or benefiting from the project
• Expected impact of the program
• Effectiveness of the activity or program
• Potential to improve student achievement and morale
• Cost effectiveness
• Enhancement of the skills of teachers and support staff
• Potential for continuation and/or replication
For more information regarding the Grants for Excellence teacher mini-grant program, contact LeeAnn Martuch at (989) 755-0545 or leeann@saginawfoundation.org. Additional information is available on the Grants for Excellence page.
2014-15 Grants for Excellence recipients
Arrowwood Elementary
“Third Grade Chemists” – lab coats and goggles (Ms. Barb Huston)
“iPad in Cognitive Impairment Classroom” – purchase an iPad and educational applications for use in the cognitive impairment classroom (Mr. Adam Kanine)
Bethlehem Lutheran
“First Grade Celebration” – art supplies, props and materials needed for student performances (Mrs. Lori D. Tucker)
Carrollton Elementary
“Junior Musical” – equipment to stage a musical (Ms. Emily Williamson)
Carrollton High School
“Chemistry Through Experimentation”– chemistry books, games and kits (Ms. Rebecca Talik)
“Scientific What?”– supplies for students, supplemental reading and educational kits (Ms. Jennifer Gebauer)
Community Baptist Christian School
“Chroma Key Equipment”– purchase Chroma Key effects to improve video production quality (Mr. James Goeff)
“Teaching the Game of Floor Hockey & Hockey’s History”– purchase floor hockey equipment (Mr. Todd Savage)
Hemlock Middle School
“T-Shirt Book Reports”– purchase t-shirts and art supplies (Ms. Lousie Fleischmann)
Heritage High School
“Renewable Energy Resources STEM Project”– sail carts & solar cells with motors for use in laboratory experiments (Ms. Adrianne Cole)
Ling Elementary – Hemlock
“Peer-to-Peer”– purchase shirts and books to assist with student mentors (Ms. Jill Asiala)
Nouvel Catholic Central High School
“Change their Mindset, Change their Lives”– Brainology program (Mrs. Teresa Colucci)
Swan Valley High School
“Wounded Warrior Project”– purchase books that bring awareness to the plight of our soldiers (Mrs. Kay Wejrowski)
“Fitnessgram”– tool to assess physical fitness and physical activity levels for students (Mr. Mike Quellet)
Weiss Elementary
“Coding Crazy”– purchase an application controlled ball (Sphero) and an application controlled cylinder (Ollie) for students to program (Ms. Amy Sizelove)
“Presentation Pizzaz”– purchase iPad and iPad tripod mounts to record student presentations (Mrs. Nicol Howald)
Westdale Elementary
“Great Expectations Classroom”– implement the Great Expectations in the classroom students to program (Ms. Kari Keith)
