The holidays are coming early for a handful of Canyons District teachers.

The Canyons Education Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the District, has surprised 14 teachers with the joyful news that they had received 2013 Innovation Grants.

In all, the Foundation this year is awarding nearly $90,000 to pay for creative classroom projects.

The recipients and their projects:

• Michelle Vance, Jordan Valley, $2,819, “Assessible Communication for Families”
• Joey Newman, Corner Canyon High, $3,041, “Real World Engineering Design”
• Pamela Tafili, Midvale Middle, $3,542, “Biomechanics and Beyond”
• Pamela Loveridge, Butler Middle, $4,182, “Flipped Classroom Technology”
• Jeremy Perkins, Eastmont Middle, $5,444, “Green Screen Video Production Studio”
• JoLynn Bierman, Crescent Elementary, $5,868, “iPads for Communication and Language Development”
• Clief Castleton, Hillcrest High, $6,125, “Robotics and Engineering Excellence (3D Printers)”
• Douglas Rolley, Midvalley Elementary, $8,325, “Google Chromebooks for Creativity and Curriculum”
• Julie Page, Ridgecrest Elementary, $8,959, “Immersing Instructional Technology into Dual-Immersion
• Monica Rotermund, Brookwood Elementary, $9,000, “Chromebooks in our Classroom”
• Christiana Forbush, Midvale Middle, $9,854, “Encouraging Engagement for Everyone Electronically”
• Tawny Hawkins, Brighton High, $10,000, “Subtext for English Language Arts”
• Kelly Owen, Park Lane Elementary, $10,000, “Park Lane Interactive Learning”

Teachers across the District clamored for the grants. Allison Spencer, Canyons’ Chief Development Officer, said more than $340,000 in requests were submitted for consideration.