District 58 Education Foundation Grants $33,000 to Teachers

The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 has awarded a total of $33,000 in grants to support 17 innovative projects designed by teachers for the 2025-26 school year. These grants aim to enhance classroom learning by providing educators with resources to create engaging, hands-on experiences for their students.

District 58 Superintendent Kevin Russell expressed gratitude for the foundation’s ongoing support. “On behalf of District 58, I want to thank the Education Foundation for their continued partnership and generosity toward our teachers, staff, and students,” he stated in a news release. He emphasized that this collaboration directly benefits classroom learning, providing students with impactful experiences across the district.

Teachers and staff submitted their grant applications during the fall, which were then reviewed by the foundation’s grants committee through a blind evaluation process. The selected projects were deemed to have significant potential for enhancing instruction through creative methodologies and aligning with the district’s curriculum goals, ensuring measurable outcomes.

Anne Healy, chairwoman of the foundation’s teacher grants program, highlighted the foundation’s commitment to supporting education. “For many years, the Education Foundation has been proud to support District 58 and its dedicated educators,” she noted. “This year, we challenged teachers and staff to think outside the box, and their grant proposals demonstrate thoughtful and engaging approaches to the classroom.”

The following teachers received grants for their projects:

– Lauren Gryczewski, Hillcrest: “Bringing Life Skills Instruction to Life”
– Katie Porter and Kerri Bartkowiak, Whittier: “Regulation Tools”
– Kate Blackburn, Kingsley: “Language Therapy Advance Foundations”
– Nicole Kollintzas, Indian Trail: “Enhancing Engagement and Learning through Interactive Whiteboard Technology for Students with Autism”
– Laura Velinske, Hillcrest: “Sensory & Classroom Equipment”
– Ana Guihan, El Sierra: “Writing Curriculum Books in Spanish”
– Janet Hecht and Eareen Yambao, O’Neill: “Building a Choral Library for Independent Learning and Practice”
– Stephanie Potter, Janet Hecht, Christine Karninski, and Evangeline Smith, O’Neill: “O’Neill Middle School: Stage Curtain”
– Brooke Campbell, Lester: “Speech in Motion: A Multisensory, Flexible Learning Space”
– Sandi Hudecek, Highland: “Leveling the Playing Field – It’s Recess for All!”
– Christine Kaminski, O’Neill: “Tenor Saxophone for Band”
– Katrina Shenton and Bradley Kirby, Belle Aire: “Developing 21st Century Skills in the Music Classroom through the Orff Approach”
– Liz Sevilla, Fairmount/Kingsley/Henry Puffer: “Developing Higher Order Music Skills through the Orff Approach”
– Colleen Brejcha, Fairmount: “The Eyes Have It: Cow Eye Dissection”
– Sarah Chrapkiewicz, Lester: “Touch, Move, Learn: Interactive Technology for Today’s PE Classroom”
– Lily Ortega, Indian Trail: “Breaking Barriers: Empowering Multilingual Students with Translation Tools”
– Emma Grisamore, Pierce Downer: “Customizable Screen Free Technology”

The recipients of this year’s teacher grants will be formally recognized at a board of education meeting scheduled for spring 2026. For further information about Downers Grove Grade School District 58, visit www.dg58.org, and for details about the Education Foundation of Downers Grove, visit www.58foundation.org.