The MCPASD Education Foundation awarded more than $16,000 in inspiration grants to 19 educators in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District on Dec. 4.
Grants were awarded to teachers at Sauk Trail Elementary School, Northside Elementary School, West Middleton Elementary School, Park Elementary School, Kromrey Middle School, Glacier Creek Middle School, Clark Street Community School and Middleton High School.
“Our grant recipients go above and beyond for MCPASD students, and we’re honored to recognize their amazing work with these awards,” said Inspiration Grants Committee Chair Kathryn McLeod. “Our grants support educators who offer inspiring learning opportunities to students, along with efforts to create equitable access to those opportunities. I can’t wait to see their innovative and unique programs in action later this year.”
The grants will fund a range of projects including materials for engineering classes, equipment for adaptive physical education classes, a partnership with a nonprofit to increase female student representation in sports and entertainment marketing, and woodworking and gardening materials, among others.
Several honorees shared how they’ll use their grant funds.
“It is my plan to create a network of local arbor related businesses and individuals that remove and harvest trees to collect logs and we will mill them into lumber,” said Justin Zander, who teaches woodworking classes at Middleton High School. “The lumber will be cured by the solar kiln that will be built with the funds from the foundation. I am hopeful that we can generate enough lumber to easily meet the needs of all our students at the high school and then start working towards assisting with the supply at the middle schools as well.”
Brian Zimdars, who teaches a sports & entertainment marketing class at Middleton High School, shared what the grant means to him.
“I am grateful to receive the grant to help empower our female students in the Sports & Entertainment Marketing field through our WISHING – Women in Sports Helping Inspire the Next Generation – chapter,” Zimdars said. “What makes this grant especially powerful is the opportunity it creates for our female students to see representation in an industry where they are often underrepresented. Being able to connect them with women who are succeeding in the field who can model confidence, leadership, and possibilities will be transformative.”
Morgan Glasson at Middleton High School received a grant to fund materials to help meet diverse learners' engineering learning needs.
“The FUNdamentals team is so grateful to receive this grant,” Glasson said. “We have been diligently building curriculum and supplies to create experiences that allow diverse students to be exposed to ideas like engineering, physics, chemistry, and other advanced STEM classes. We recognize that the general education classroom may not be the best fit given their physical and sensory needs, but that does not mean they are unable to access the content academically and deserve to have that opportunity. We are committed to creating equitable experiences for our students in the environment they feel most comfortable.”
Laurie Wood received a grant to support the Best Buddies Club, which brings together Middleton High School students with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD) with their peers without IDD.
“We will be able to purchase accessible and switch adapted games/activities so that all of our students will have fun, social opportunities with their friends,” Wood said. “Our Best Buddies Club is so grateful to the Education Foundation for this generous grant.”
Abby Otteson shared gratitude for her grant, which will support arts collaboration between Middleton High School and MCPASD’s middle schools.
“This support allows us to create a mini-mentorship day that helps bridge the middle school and high school art experience,” said Otteson. “Specifically, the funding makes it possible for our Glacier Creek Middle School students to travel to the high school and provides materials that will make their experience even more meaningful. We hope it helps our middle schoolers transition to high school feel exciting.”
Ross Cohen will use his grant to help Clark Street Community School students lengthen the growing season of their gardens.
“Our students and staff were so excited, and everyone is proud to know that the District recognizes the educational importance as well as the mental health benefits of having a garden where students are able to start seeds and grow plants,” Cohen said.
At West Middleton Elementary School, Jessie Anderson is using her grant for more books in her first-grade classroom.
“Receiving this grant for books means so much to me and my students,” Anderson said. “It is so much more than just providing books; it provides opportunities for all students to be readers, creating curiosity, and building the foundational literacy skills that will impact my students for the rest of their lives.”
Jodi Klare at Park Elementary School received a grant to help fund technology to support her third-grade math students.
“Finding ways to engage children in meaningful ways is at the heart of teaching,” Klare said. “Receiving this grant allows me the opportunity to offer some new and exciting things to enhance their learning space and their growing, curious minds.”
Since 2013, the Foundation has awarded 185 grants totaling more than $185,000. Learn more about supporting the Education Foundation on its website.