Category: Classroom Grants

Congratulations to Natalie Vance  (MSC Keri Cottrell), Melissa Sanders (MSC Charles Brooks) and Kelly Sloan (MSC Shaelynn Nordwald) for winning $100 Classroom Grants from the Missouri State Teachers Foundation, awarded March 2021!

Natalie Vance: ” I teach in a functional special education classroom. This money would be used to be able to go out in the community and participate in activities that include job exploration, life skills practice and social skills practice as well! These skills are very important for my students as they are beginning to transition into adulthood!”

Melissa Sanders: “I would use the money to purchase Legos (or similar name brand) to implement during math stations for engaging, hands on learning for area and perimeter, measurement and geometry.  These manipulatives would also provide for engaging indoor recess time for students to build and design items of their choice.”

Kelly Sloan: “I teach 9th -to 12th-grade students with a variety of intellectual, physical, and sensory impairments. I teach self-contained Language Arts and a Transition Program. My students are focusing their time in school on preparing for life after high school; that looks different for every student. Harsh lighting is known to adversely affect a child’s attention, behavior, and learning capability in a classroom. Bright lights are known to cause anxiety, headaches, hyperactivity, and eye strain. Overhead light covers offer an easy solution. The magnetic covers attach directly to the lights to block the harsh rays. When my students walk into my classroom I want them to feel a sense of calmness and be eager to learn. These light covers will help my students not be distracted by the bright lights and while learning in a calming environment they need. The light covers requested in this project would help me to soften the harshness of the lights in the classroom. It would help me to continue to make my classroom a safe and calm environment for all my students- several of whom have educational, emotional, and focus struggles.”

Congratulations again, Natalie, Melissa, and Kelly! You can apply here for next month’s Missouri State Teachers Foundation Classroom Grant!

Congratulations to Julie Tannehill  (Mehlville School District), Joane Cash (Jefferson City PS), Kimberly Robison (Phelps County), Jennifer Chrane (Kearney R-1), Emily McVicker (Macon PS), Julie Schisler (Columbia PS), and Chelsea Clark (Adair County R-II) for winning $100 Classroom Grants from the Missouri State Teachers Foundation, awarded February 2021!

Julie Tannehill: ” When my students first come in the classroom every morning, they get to choose a morning rotation bin to work on. This includes a lot of STEM activities that require problem solving and collaborating with peers. This is a great way to foster positive peer interactions while teaching social emotional learning skills. I would like to use the money to purchase additional supplies for morning rotation bins.”

Joane Cash: “I would use the $100 to buy more graphic novels for my classroom library. I would like to promote the love of reading in my classroom. I noticed that many struggling readers really like graphic novels. In addition, those who have a strong dislike for reading do not seem to mind reading graphic novels. I want to create an literacy rich environment and providing more graphic novels will do so. By purchasing more graphic novels for my struggling and hesitant readers, it will encourage them to read more.”

Kimberly Robison: “Technology, my students love it! I am applying for funds to purchase a wireless mouse for every student to use with their Chromebook in the 4th grade classroom. I have noticed with the Chromebooks that some students have difficulty using the finger pad.  I use a wireless mouse with my personal device and I know this would make it easier for them.  The price range I am shopping in is $4.99 from Amazon to $7.94 from  Walmart. This grant would pay for the majority of the cost and I will gladly cover the rest of the expense and the  purchase of batteries for the benefit of my students.”

Jennifer Chrane: “My students have already explored the wonder of Osmo with coding, but now they would like to branch out into other areas as well. The Osmo Learning System is wonderful at using interactive technology to make learning come alive for students. I already have the Osmo bases and iPads that are required, so I will use this grant to purchase more interactive games like Detective Agency and Genius Numbers. I would love to provide these games for my students so they can develop their critical thinking skills!”

Emily McVicke: “We hear it often—how we want our students to be active in life and actively engaged in the classroom.  And now, we also want them to socially distance which means less movement in our classrooms.  Here is where my middle school students would greatly benefit from additional flexible seating options in my classroom. Ergo seats would allow contained movement.  There are rave reviews from children who have used them, teachers see the benefits, and they are easy to clean!”

Julie Schisler: “In my classroom I use flexible seating options as all students work well in different types of seats. Usually I allow students to change their seating daily and throughout the day, but due to COVID they have to stay in the same spot each day and cannot switch seating. I would like to get a few more seating options for more students so that more of them can choose the same seating option. This will allow students to be comfortable and be more focused during the school day.”

Chelsea Clark: “I am the Supplemental Math and Science teacher for grades K-6. I would like to plan a Science Week for my elementary students towards the end of this year. I feel like Math and Reading are well represented throughout, and sometimes science gets pushed to the side due to time constraints. My goal is to excite students during this science week using hands on activities/experiments, real world application of science, and deepen educational understanding of several science subjects. The money from this grant would help buy materials for experiments, and safety supplies for the students. I would also like to use the money to provide resources on how students can do science at home. I think an at home connection to any school activity is important.”

Congratulations again, Julie T, Joane, Kimberly, Jennifer, Emily, Julie S, and Chelsea!

You can apply here for next month’s Missouri State Teachers Foundation Classroom Grant!

Congratulations to Julie Scantlin (Raymondville RVIII), Kathy Hann (Jeff Co Region), and Shana Oliver (Green Ridge R8) for winning $100 Classroom Grants from the Missouri State Teachers Foundation, awarded January 2021!

Julie Scantlin: “I would use the grant money to purchase headphones and snacks.  My students need headphones for use with their tablets and I have several students who do not have headphones, so I would like to purchase headphones for my students.  I also have snack time each day and have students who do not bring anything to class.  So I would like to have a stock pile of snacks for the class.  Thanks for the opportunity.”

Kathy Hann: “I am applying for a classroom grant for recorders for students who cannot afford their classroom materials.  Students in third through fifth grades use a musical instrument called a recorder, a pre-band instrument, to learn music note-reading skills.  For health and sanitary reasons, each child must have their own.  Nearly 50 percent of my at-risk school population receives free and/or reduced lunch services; many families cannot afford $5 for a recorder for music classroom supplies.  Additionally, for COVID safety protocols, music performance masks and instrument masks will need to be utilized for each student and instrument, adding to the cost of much needed personal protective equipment and classroom supplies. The gift of a recorder will be used for multiple years during school music class instruction and given to any child who cannot afford one so that they can have the same opportunity to learn.   The classroom grant will help offer students the opportunity to participate and learn music by playing their recorders with their classmates to prepare for secondary music experiences; however, the impact of having equal opportunities for all learners will last a lifetime.”

Shana Oliver: “I would use the $100 to buy flexible seating options for my classroom. Many of my students get very antsy when they have to sit down to do any kind of work. Flexible seating would give them the ability to perform better by giving them options of ways to work and move.”

Congratulations again, Julie, Kathy, and Shana!

You can apply here for next month’s Missouri State Teachers Foundation Classroom Grant!

Congratulations to Ulrike Hayes from Kearney R-I, Robin Ridlon from Arcadia Valley R-II, and Beth Meyers from Davis R-XII, and  for winning $100 Classroom Grants from the Missouri State Teachers Foundation, awarded December 2020!

Ulrike Hayes: “ASB Classroom is a virtual online tutorial and video lessons for the broadcast classroom.  The new program is developed by a Springfield Mo teacher.  With possible virtual class in the future this online tutorial will provided resources for students at home and in the classroom.  Virtual class was a struggle for my broadcasting class and with this option I can help them find additional resources that work in conjunction with the in-class work.  https://asbclassroom.com/teachers.  For years I have used the resources offered by ASB and have found them useful for my age group.  These are real-life activities and resources from a real teacher of the broadcasting classroom.”

Robin Ridlon: “Reading, just what every child loves! Well, not every child unfortunately. However, many children on or above grade level finish work earlier and are always digging for a good book to read. I would love the opportunity to challenge my students who love reading with chapter book series that they will enjoy and crave reading when they are finished with their “must do” work. Chapter books are a big deal to second grade students. Almost a “rite of passage”. Library access isn’t always available, so adding some new titles to our classroom library will motivate those readers to continue their love for learning, while I am working with readers who have YET to catch the reading bug. Chapter books like ‘Junie B. Jones’ and the ‘Dogman” series are popular hits amount 7 and 8 year olds. I would love to surprise them with the new addition to our book totes!”

Beth Meyers: “I would use the money to purchase Kore Wobble Stools for my first and second grade classroom.  With Covid-19 protocols, my students will not have the freedom to move throughout the classroom as they have had in the past.  Sitting in a standard chair for prolonged periods of time is very difficult for 6-8 year olds.  I already have 2 exercise balls and 3 wobble stools that provide students movement opportunities.  I would like to provide more wiggly kids with movement opportunities.”

Congratulations again, Ulrike, Robin, and Beth!

You can apply here for next month’s Missouri State Teachers Foundation Classroom Grant!