Shawnee Public Schools (SPS) educators are celebrating the generosity of the Shawnee Educational Foundation (SEF), which recently awarded over $26,000 in grants to support a variety of creative and impactful educational initiatives. These grants, given to teachers and principals across multiple SPS campuses, reflect a shared commitment to enhancing learning experiences for all students.
This year’s recipients and projects include:
Stephanie Lyle: Play is Serious Learning - $1,072.12
Hannah Jett: STEMtastic Themes - $1,138.97
Carrie Hathcock: Let's Tickle the Ivories! - $1,086.66
Sydney Anderson: Pollinator Garden - $978.08
Christina Heck: The SPACE Program - $850.83
Principal Christi Lovelady: Sittin' and STEM-in - $1,727.79
Thresa Swadley: Keep the Beat - $1,043.96
Lacy Arnold: Play-Based Learning for Greater Academic Achievement - $1,248.11
Rosanna Wassana: Sensory Play for K - $1,247.73
Tyler Harrison/Rebecca Barry: Race to the Top with "Learning & Traversing" - $1,217.64
Cathie Womack/Julie Fields: Blasting Off with STEAM - $1,150.44
Cathie Womack: Relax While Reading - $878.00
Lisa Battige: Soar Into Reading - $1,188.72
Shelby Cowden: Classroom Transformation Kit: Engagement Through Fun Hands-On Learning - $761.61
Principal Molly Wilson/Caity Harrison: You've Got to Move It, Move It! - $2,000.00
Cherity Pennington: Makerspace Refresh: Enhancing Collaborative Learning - $1,099.95
Jessica Armstrong: Cultivating the Growing Mind - $1,030.42
Leila Kaseca: Mindful Moments: Enhancing Mental Health - $1,250.00
Principal Matt Johnson: Enhancing Students Learning Through Desk Bikes in the Library - $1,999.95
Tara Hill: ROX (Ruling Our Experiences) - $1,250.00
Principal Hannah Holland: Planting Seeds, Sprouting Success, and Cultivating Minds - $1,997.82
The projects funded by SEF grants range from promoting STEM education, mental health support, and play-based learning to enriching sensory experiences and enhancing classroom engagement. Each project embodies the district’s vision of fostering innovation and academic excellence for students at every grade level.
“We are deeply grateful for the Shawnee Educational Foundation’s unwavering support,” said Shawnee Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Teresa Wilkerson. “These grants empower our educators to bring creative ideas to life, ultimately making a lasting impact on our students and their futures.”
For more information about the Shawnee Educational Foundation or how to support innovative education in our Shawnee area schools, visit www.facebook.com/shawneeeducationalfoundation.