District 58 Education Foundation Grants Over $33,000 to Teachers

The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 has announced funding for 17 teacher grants, totaling more than $33,000, for the 2025-26 school year. These grants aim to provide teachers and staff with essential resources to develop engaging, hands-on learning experiences that will directly benefit students within the district.

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,” Russell stated in a press release. He emphasized that the collaboration enhances classroom learning and that this year’s grants will foster innovative experiences for students across the district.

Grant Selection Process and Impact

Teachers and staff submitted their grant applications in the fall. The foundation’s grants committee conducted a thorough, blind review of all proposals, ensuring a fair selection process. The chosen projects exhibit strong potential to enhance instruction through creative methods and align with the district’s curriculum goals, all with measurable outcomes.

Anne Healy, chairwoman of the foundation’s teacher grants program, remarked, “For many years, the Education Foundation has been proud to support District 58 and its dedicated educators. This year, we challenged teachers and staff to think outside the box, and their grant proposals demonstrate thoughtful and engaging approaches to the classroom.” She expressed excitement about turning these ideas into projects that will enrich students’ learning experiences.

List of Grant Recipients and Their Projects

The following educators received grants for their innovative 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 grants will be recognized at a board of education meeting in 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.