‘Tis the season of giving for the Canyons Education Foundation.
The Foundation, the fund-raising arm of Canyons District, on Monday, Dec. 17 and Tuesday, Dec. 18 surprised 10 CSD teachers with the joyful news that they were receiving 2012 Innovation Grants, which ranged in size from $2,900 to $10,000. In all, the Foundation awarded more than $72,000 to fund creative classroom projects.
The teachers who submitted the winning proposals were greeted with large ceremonial checks, as well as cheers and applause from their students, principals, colleagues and members of the Foundation’s Board. Superintendent Dave Doty helped deliver most of the checks and expressed thanks to teachers for their continued efforts to go above and beyond in efforts to increase student achievement.
The grant winners who were picked by a selection committee made up of faculty, Foundation Board members and CSD administrators are given immediate access to the funds. The grants this year will pay for new iPads, iPods and equipment to help students build advanced robots and study the intricacies of nanotechnology.
Allison Spencer, CSD’s Chief Development Officer, said the committee evaluated more than 50 grant proposals. While only nine projects were funded, the amount of grant money given to teachers from last year’s total increased by $22,000. Spencer says the Foundation Board aims to maintain or increase the amount granted to teachers every year.
“The selection committee was impressed with the quality and thoroughness of the applications,” Spencer said. “From the proposals, we could see very clearly that our teachers are incredibly dedicated to increasing student achievement through innovation, while always keeping in mind that learning should be exciting and fun.”
The teachers who received grants, and the names of their projects, are the following:
- Jonathan Miller, Hillcrest High School, $2,900, “Nanotechnology The Science of Quantum Dots”
- Kami Anderson, Mount Jordan Middle School, $9,679, “A School of the Future Incorporating Mini iPads into the Classroom”
- Chelsi Nelson , Albion Middle School, $9,909, “Multi-Media Projects Project-Based Learning through Multi-Media Projects”
- Clief Castleton, Hillcrest High School, $9,909.92, “Robotics Automation Hardware and Software”
- Sarah Carlson, Brighton High School, $9,999.52, “Flipped Fizzix! Using iPads and Software to Add Enhanced-Learning Opportunities for Student-Specific Goals Inspired From the National Education Technology Plan”
- Patricia Fenton and Kimberlee Gunderson, Midvale Elementary School, $10,000, “iPads for All Integrating Technology Into All Core Subjects For All Students”
- LeeAnne Walker, Granite Elementary School, $2,293.73, “Digital Storytelling Technology Meets the Pen”
- Kristina Kimball , Bell View Elementary School, $7,773.28, “iPods for Accountability and Responses”
- Sarah Smith , Oak Hollow Elementary, $10,000, “Inspiring Personalized Achievement Digitally for Students”
