Canyons District teachers demonstrate their passion and dedication in their classrooms every day. What we don’t see is the work they do behind the scenes to help their students grow.

Every year, teachers across the District apply to the Canyons Education Foundation to be selected to receive an Innovation Grant. Innovation Grants can be awarded for $1,000 to $10,000 and directly impact the classroom, helping teachers to raise the bar on exemplary teaching methods.

Before the sun rose Wednesday, Nov. 1, members of the Canyons Board of Education and Canyons Education Foundation Board boarded a school bus bound for classrooms throughout the District. Their mission: to surprise the winners of this year’s grants with fanfare and very large checks.

“This is the huge payday of why the education Foundation exists,” says Foundation Board President Fred Lowry. “It’s hard to even put into words as you see the amount of investment teachers have in enhancing the educational experience of their students. They are so committed to their students and truly want to help them grow.”

Some of the funds will be used for science experiments set to be launched into space in a partnership with NASA. Others will provide sweet music with new electric string instruments and make it possible for students to learn how to fix automobile brakes when there aren’t enough cars in the shop. Still more grants were awarded to classrooms where students will be able to don Latino dance costumes to promote cultural awareness, while other grants will go to providing children living with disabilities the technology they need to communicate with the world around them.

“Presenting these checks to teachers also makes it possible for the Foundation to see firsthand the tools and equipment we’re going to be able to provide to help teachers,” says Lowry. “What’s also amazing is seeing the reaction of the students and the confidence they have in their teacher. It’s really inspiring to me.”

This year, the Foundation was able to provide nearly $100,000 in grants to teachers across the District. “The funds for these Innovation Grants come from the golf tournament fundraiser,” says Foundation Development Officer Denise Haycock. “So, it’s more than just a golf game, it’s about raising funds to be able to provide our teachers with the tools they need to not only educate but go above and beyond in the classroom with their students.”

This year’s grants were awarded to teachers at Alta, Brighton, Hillcrest, Diamond Ridge, and Jordan high schools, the Canyons Technical Education Center, Jordan Valley School, Union Middle, and Bella Vista and Willow Springs elementary schools.

“It’s inspiring to see these grants being utilized in schools across the District,” says Lowry. “Hope is being created through these grants.”

To learn more about innovation grants and other resources available, visit the Canyons Education Foundation website.