2021-2022 IFT Grant Recipient Summaries - California ...
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2021-2022 IFT Grant Recipient Summaries
Sustainable Garden ornament, and add the mathematically based string
$19,995.58 | Justin Seligman art, pine racing cars, rubber band racers and
Acalanes Education Assn. experiment with paper circuits. Seeing generations
The Sustainable Garden will offer funding to of family members working together has been one
complete our one-year Master Plan for the of my greatest joys this entire year. I would like to
Campolindo High Garden. The goal is to create a continue offering this from now on, but we need
place on campus for multiple opportunities to exist: your support as most of the materials will be used
where Art students can paint, draw and take up by the end of this school year.
photographs, where English classes can discuss
literature, where Yoga students may practice, and Growth Mindset: Planting Seeds of Diversity
where Environmental Science, Living Earth and $4,700.00 | Erin Doherty
Geology students may practice Science and use the Anaheim Secondary Teachers Assn.
space as a living laboratory. Additionally, it is a place “When we show our respect for other living things,
for students to unwind, to dig into the earth and soil, they respond with respect for us.” -Arapaho
connect with animals, and get away from their on- Hummingbirds, mourning doves, finches and a Black
line world, to reconnect with the tangible world Phoebe visit our school garden regularly. Monarch
around them. In brief, it is a place of nurture and butterflies, grasshoppers, ladybugs, bees, spiders,
nature. and rolly pollies live together in harmony. Watching
simple food web interactions a few steps outside a
Let’s Make Something: The Next Generation [R] science classroom is so empowering for students to
$1,600.00 | Tracy Lech experience. Students will observe what we have in
Alvord Educators Assn. our garden to determine how to make sustainable
The Loma Vista MakerSpace encourages students changes to be a Certified Wildlife Habitat through
and families to explore STEAM activities on an the National Wildlife Federation. While appreciating
ongoing basis. Currently, coloring packets and biodiversity in a school garden, students will
MakerSpace kits have been given out to students research and cultivate plants that have meaning to
and their families every Friday during the 20-21 their personal roots. Cilantro is common in Indian,
school year. Previously there had been coloring, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Caribbean, Mediterranean,
paper craft and button stations available in the North African, and Eastern European cuisines.
library. Lego and cubelets were put aside for this Having students see commonalities among each
year but will be used next year. We had planned to other while planting seeds of kindness and
increase the stations in the library, but COVID understanding will be the ultimate goal of the
intervened. Instead, we moved to kits with printed garden experience. While using the tools of shovels
directions, videos and Google meets for instruction. and rakes, students will gain tools of a lifetime:
K-11th grade students and their families have been communication, confidence, and grit.
stopping by to pick up the kits and coloring packets.
On average, 80 kits are distributed on a drive- Heart Rate Monitors for Life Fitness
through take-it and make-it at home basis. As we $19,728.57 | Megan Risley
move into hybrid learning, students wish to start Atascadero District Teachers Assn.
projects at school and meet online for more The goal of this grant proposal is to secure funding
instruction and to see others’ projects. Students and to enable the teachers in my department to
their families would like to continue exploring both incorporate The Interactive Health Technology Spirit
at school and home during the 21-22 school year. System which includes individual heart rate monitors
With student and parent input, we would like to (https://ihtusa.com/) into our Physical Education
continue with sewing, wood projects, UV color curriculum. Of all of the different educational subject
changing beads, Sun-sensitive paper, and hacking an areas that have been impacted by Covid-19 and
Page 1 of 15
Revised: 7/15/2021Distance Learning, Physical Education has taken the NAMI Promoting Hope
greatest hit. Many school districts in California are $20,000.00 | Monica Monroy
discontinuing Physical Education programs outright Central Unified Teachers Assn.
for the foreseeable future. While schools are National Alliance on Mental Illness Club seeks to
receiving a record amount of funding from the provide advocacy, education and support to
CARES act and other educational funding acts, students, staff and the community. The club needs
Physical Educators and their programs are being resources to accomplish such endeavors and
minimized and not receiving the support they need requires materials that adequately promote Mental
to provide high quality distance or hybrid learning Health awareness. We seek to reach out to as many
opportunities for our students. This technology will students, staff, and community members as possible
provide the resources needed for students to learn to provide much-needed support and resources. The
and apply the tools of physical literacy from home Club will promote the voices of students within the
(or anywhere they can engage in movement High School, and increase awareness, advocacy, and
activities) which will help them to develop the skills acceptance for students experiencing a mental
they need to pave a path to healthy, successful health condition. In addition, we will support and
futures. When we return to in-person learning, this provide them the education and tools at an early
technology will be utilized as a learning tool for phase of their lives so they are better equipped to
many future years of student use, continuing the recognize mental health conditions in themselves or
development of responsible, self-reliant, healthy others, get the services they need sooner, and to
students. reduce the stigma on campus. Resources will be
provided on campus through flyers and activities
Esencia Ecosystem throughout the year in addition to using social
$20,000.00 | Kristine Cuevas media. NAMI on Campus at Central High East is the
Capistrano Unified Educators Assn. first school to have such a Club that promotes
The purpose of Esencia TK-8 is to ensure an engaging Mental Health and has proven to be a successful tool
and challenging learning environment that to raise awareness, provide tools for students in
empowers and values the social, emotional, and need, promote confidence, self-efficacy, and service
academic needs of all learners. At Esencia, we to our school and community. As a result, the
cultivate learners who are effective, collaborative, climate of the High School will become supportive,
critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers, and compassionate, and more accepting of those with
responsible global citizens. With that being said, the mental illness.
Ecosystem Esencia is the heart of our school. We
propose to create an innovative outside classroom
and strengthen our ecosystem and surrounding
common areas around our large campus to meet the
needs of our diverse population. Teachers, parents,
students and the Rancho Mission Viejo community
will take part in the exploration of a living
environment, gain knowledge, and appreciation for
our Earth. Students will work with peers from
various grade levels, the community, and have the
opportunity to be a part of hands-on projects in our
ecosystem. The activities will be centered around
our NGSS standards, but not limited to science. We
intend to bring in English Language Arts, Math, Art,
and Engineering along with Social Emotional benefits
of working in the garden.
Page 2 of 15Health Investigation Partnership innovation. Materials will be available to our
$4,500.00 | Mary Pella-Donnelly students for unstructured tinkering and creating
Chico Unified Teachers Assn. while the library is open, but students will also be
Children have been impacted by the COVID virus in invited to participate in workshops and lunchtime
many ways. Anxiety is heightened with the and after school programming, providing some
unknown. Therefore we need to teach students how guidance and support with the tools and materials,
investigations occur and how to examine data as it is as well as opportunities to collaborate and work
being gathered. Knowledge will reduce anxiety. Our together. With an emphasis on hands-on discovery,
middle school students are taught to investigate inquiry, and creativity, this grant will help to
unknowns and use evidence to make conclusions. resource our library with mostly no-tech and low-
My seventh-grade students will visit four third-grade tech tools and materials to provide students with
classrooms, four times in the school year and opportunities to learn by doing, and to create,
present lessons on human and on environmental invent, explore, tinker, and discover with little to no
health. Together both grade levels will conduct background experience or expertise needed. Tools
investigations and collect data which will be used to that do require some instruction or assistance will be
make informed decisions about the data. This will provided as well, and library staff will be trained to
empower both ages of children and help them to support and assist students in their use. The
understand how the greater scientific community makerspace will provide a curated environment to
works to solve problems and how students can work both engage students in meaningful and self-driven
to solve problems around us. Problems that affect us work, but will also be planned to include resources
individually, as a community and as a society. The and materials that will support the social emotional
seventh graders will learn teaching skills along with wellness of students. We already have a designated
collaborative decision making. space in the library, and the goal is to make it
accessible, inviting, appealing, and rich with
Holistic Playground resources and materials that will inspire
collaborative and independent learning and
$5,000.00 | Caroline Roady
creation. As the library is a communal space
Chico Unified Teachers Assn.
available to our entire community of students and
I would like to create an interactive, holistic play educators, this grant will have a far-reaching and
area in our small kinder/special education long-lasting impact on our campus.
playground which includes art, music and science
equipment to use daily. The company I would love to
Cultivating Relationships Built on Trust Between
purchase these items from is Play with a Purpose.
Schools and Families During a Pandemic and Post
Once schools are reopened, some of this equipment
Pandemic
(music/art) will be out always for community
$20,000.00 | Victoria Trimingham
families. This reinforces gross/fine motor,
Elk Grove Education Assn.
socialization, art creativity, problem-solving (large
This proposal provides students, families and
foam blocks) musical exploration (musical fence
teachers the opportunity to transition back from
item). Self-reliance and awareness are also huge
positive aspects that will be addressed and grown distance learning/concurrent learning models during
through use of these materials over time and the pandemic to a full in-person learning model for
organically with support from my staff and myself. the 2021-2022 school year with support for
reestablishing authentic relationships between
schools and home. Now more than ever, a personal
Makerspace: Fostering Creativity & Hands-on
connection is vital to the overall success and
Learning
wellness of our students, families and teachers. This
$2,500.00 | Katie Sarginson
year, due to the pandemic, we transitioned our
Chico Unified Teachers Assn. home visits program to an online platform of Virtual
As we emerge from a year where so much has been Bridge Visits, which are available for teachers and
automated, digital, and remote, resourcing a library families at our Title I schools. We would like to
makerspace with high-interest tools and supplies will expand our current home visits program for the
help provide a student-centered space within the 2021-2022 school year to include an option of having
library, offering both environment and resources to a Virtual Bridge visit or an in-Person Home visit for
foster experiences and practices of creativity and
Page 3 of 15students and families that are having a difficult time more about important local issues. Students have
transitioning back to in-person learning due to the interviewed local business owners, the
pandemic. This grant will also allow us to expand our superintendent of Elk Grove Schools, our State
program to include EGEA members that serve Assembly representative in his office at the capital,
students at multiple school sites, such as Resource and an Academy Award winning animator, writer,
Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Speech and director and voice actor from Pixar.
Language Pathologists, as well as teachers at schools The proceeds from this grant will help promote
that are not Title I. student responsibility and self-reliance in multiple
ways. In the area of responsibility, students work
Journey for Justice with Larry Itliong: Problem with multiple pieces of video and audio equipment
Solving, Taking Action, & Revolution every day. They are responsible for the well-being of
$5,000.00 | Alma Galapon equipment including maintaining batteries, making
Elk Grove Education Assn. sure that field kits have the proper equipment
By the time students reach fourth grade, they have enclosed. (Charged battery, headphones,
heard about Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta but microphone, SD card, and tripod) They also need to
who was Larry Itliong? Larry Itliong was a Filipino be sure that all equipment is taken care of and
farmworker who also played a key role in the Delano returned to the studio. They must make decisions
grape boycott. Using the book “Journey for Justice: while filming news segments, including: proper
The Story of Larry Itliong” by the late Dr. Dawn lighting, shot set up, framing and sound. Finally, they
Mabalon and the accompanying curriculum resource must work collaboratively to edit a final news piece
guide, students will use Ethnic Studies Praxis Story for broadcast.
Plot (ESPSP) to expose the problem, identify
oppressors/action plan, and reflect. As a culminating Solar, Wind, Water, and Hydrogen Renewable
activity, students will reflect on their own Energy Power for a Sustainable Future
communities and design a project that parallels $4,450.00 | Jose Martin
ESPSP. These projects will be presented at Elk Grove Education Assn.
multicultural family night. Until we have the history The future is in our children’s hands, and it is here.
of BIPOC interwoven in our social studies curriculum, New technologies continue to evolve and reshape
we must take it upon ourselves to teach ALL history. the world we live in. Our children are immersed in
Filipino history and the history of farmworkers IS new technologies that require knowledge and skills
American history. never taught before in the traditional school setting.
Most of our students will be working in jobs that
McKee Media Group - Phase 2 don’t even exist yet. Many jobs will be in the areas
$20,000.00 | Nicholas Maltbie of renewable energy sources that protect and help
Elk Grove Education Assn. heal our environment. This project is about my
The McKee Media Group is building community fourth graders learning about solar, wind,
while providing students the opportunity to express hydroelectric, and hydrogen cell energy through
themselves creatively through media. Following the student-centered active, experiential, hands-on,
Appreciative Inquiry model, students have the project-based learning. Students will learn about
opportunity to discover what they are interested in clean energy sources, experiment, collect data,
by engaging with various types of media design, and share results using solar panels, wind
productions, dream-up and design projects and then turbines, hydroelectric models, and hydrogen-cell
work up their projects to production. They energy to help power up the classroom, recharge
collaborate to generate ideas to bring topics of batteries, run water fountains, toys, and other
interest to the school and community to life. All devices. They will also learn social responsibility and
productions are creative and student-driven. how global warming can be reduced. Students will
Students develop skills as they tackle problem- be empowered to take action.
solving issues, work with sound and lighting, create
storyboards, write script, film, and edit their bi-
weekly newscasts and feature documentaries.
Students interview teachers, administration and
support staff, and community members to learn
Page 4 of 15Teacher Library Revamp
$5,000.00 | Christine Ullman $20,000.00 | Erika Malsom
Elk Grove Education Assn. Fort Bragg District Teachers Assn.
Grant funds would be used to create a project- Our middle school has the bones of what could be
based lab space for co-taught Living Earth Biology the most beautiful library in our district. I envision
classes in tandem with our Manufacturing and students gathering here for clubs and programs, I
Product Innovation Fundamentals class in our can see parents and community members meeting
Manufacturing Production Technology Academy for site council and parents’ club. The possibilities for
(MPTA). Mr. Miele and Ms. Ullman co-teach the our library could be endless given the opportunity to
biology course together and Mr. Miele teaches the make some much needed updates. Making the space
MPTA course. An unused campus garden space more user-friendly while adding in new features like
would be renovated and turned into an outdoor a game room and a makerspace will help get our
garden lab for the biology course, with students students more engaged with their campus, and in
from the MPTA course designing and building turn, their peers. This grant would help us to buy all
materials for the space. The garden lab would of the needed items our small district cannot afford.
connect into the Living Earth Biology curriculum in This grant would benefit a Title I school serving 364
almost every unit: nutrient cycling, energy transfer, students in rural Northern California.
photosynthesis, mitosis and meiosis, seed
germination and reproduction, all of which are easily Carrying Stories
examined and testable within a garden ecosystem. $2,885.59 | Marina Santos
This space would allow students to learn class Fresno Teachers Assn.
material by creating compost from cafeteria scraps, Carrying stories is a multimodality learning
planting seedlings in the garden, propagating plants experience for all types of learners. Students will
from stem cuttings inside the classroom, and read, write, publish, create, and record their
designing and carrying out tests to observe biological learning. Students will read four texts that exemplify
phenomena in plants. The ultimate goal is to give metamorphoses. Then, they will interview family
students access to a fully formed science lab members or write their personal narratives on “ways
modeled after the work a college-level science in which people have transformed their learning or
student would have access to in college. As two lack of learning into optimism.” Students will write
science educators passionate about developing stories and then edit stories for publication.
future scientists, we want to provide students with Students will create an art-work with the collage (cut
the opportunity to discover an authentic love for pieces of paper) medium to create an image of a
science while in high school. Students in a college lab butterfly. The writing will be hand-written text
setting are given the autonomy to be up and surrounding the butterfly image on a vibrant,
moving, exploring and learning with their hands and colorful two foot by two foot (2' x 2') wood panel.
creativity- we will bring this model to the high school Throughout the project, students will realize the
classroom. We will create a project-based science power of a metaphor and how to curate their
classroom that allows for this setting to help foster learning for a wider audience.
students’ interests in science at an earlier age, while
also teaching the foundational science concepts and
Next Generation Science Standards.
Page 5 of 15Cultivating Biliterate Learners by Nurturing and Communicating Environmental Impact Reports on
Growing Confident Readers and Writers Projects in the Local Community
$12,600.00 | Maria Escobar $4,200.00 | Merek Chang
Fullerton Elementary Teachers Assn. Hacienda-La Puente Teachers Assn.
Students at Raymond Elementary School Dual In the past two years, our school district has begun
Language Academy, in Fullerton are becoming bi- numerous construction projects in the local
literate citizens in their community. They are community. Many of these construction projects
learning to read, write, listen, and speak successfully have been high profile in the community and An
in both Spanish and English. The gifts of funds environmental impact assessment and report is
provided by this grant will further enhance their generated for these projects to meet state standards
biliteracy skills. The diverse classroom library of and feedback from the community. However, upon
books, Up the Ladder Units of Study for reading, generation, these environmental impact reports are
RazKids Comprehensive, and additional resources to very dense and difficult to understand. As a
implement a reading-writing workshop in Spanish, chemistry teacher, in partnership with a human
will allow time to read and equitable access learning. geography teacher at Workman High School, our
The libraries will ensure that there are books that goal is to develop a lesson in which we seek to break
represent various identities of students. It will help down various components of an Environmental
promote inclusion and empower students as they Impact Report (EIR). For this lesson, our plan is to
see their cultures represented in these books as well address the construction of residential units and the
as teach empathy towards others. During reading remodeling of a school on land where the local little
workshop, we will listen in and evaluate their league fields and the school in question exist. As a
reading journals with the reading progressions to chemistry teacher, my class would focus on the
learn and understand assets that each has, then we impact this project would have on greenhouse gas
will nudge or provide a mini-lesson on a reading skill emissions, water, and air quality. In the human
so they can practice and acquire that skill. These geography class, the focus would be on analyzing the
learning experiences will empower language effects on traffic and existing cultural resources to
learners by building curiosity, vocabulary, and the land in question. The content would come from
content knowledge in topics of interest to individual the EIR itself, and the topics in question all connect
students. Having access to a variety of books of to Common Core and NGSS. Students would be
various genres will give students choices to take asked to generate an infographic or video to
control of their reading and writing lives. Providing communicate what they have learned and share
voice and choice during reading-writing workshops, their findings with the community. Grant money
shared reading, interactive, and read-alouds will would be used to develop curriculum, invite guest
effectively engage students and instill a love and joy speakers familiar with EIR's to answer questions
of reading as they develop agency to be great students/teachers may have, and for software or
writers. It is essential to add various levels of other technological needs for students to complete
Spanish books to the existing, limited sets in order to this assignment either online or in the classroom.
build individual reading skills in both languages. Our The model of this assignment will be based on a
bilingual students will be empowered, feel seen, previous collaboration between the human
important, and valued in both languages while geography teacher and the grant project
developing their biliteracy skills. coordinator. Our funds would be used for stipends
to create the curriculum, honorariums for our
volunteer professionals who will be working with
students, additional technology that will be useful
for students to use, and to fund a student showcase
night.
Page 6 of 15Kinesiology - The Art and Science of Human Future Inglewood Transformative Educators (F.I.T.E. Club)
Movement $5,000.00 | Cicely Bingener
$20,000.00 | Marie Crosby Inglewood Teachers Assn.
Hemet Teachers Assn Recent studies by the Learning Policy Institute and
This project will expand our current physical others tell us that California will be facing a major
education course offerings. We will do this by teacher shortage by 2025. At the same time, the
providing courses that give students opportunities national conversation around racial justice and
and choices for life-long physical activity, high school equity of opportunity is forcing us to look inward as
& collegiate athletics, higher collegiate learning, and educators about how we contribute to reversing
certification for jobs in physical education attitudes and practices which push students to the
(kinesiology) at the high school and graduate level. margins rather than pulling them in caring, inclusive,
We will provide students with courses that meet and restorative ways. Drawing inspiration from the
college A-G course requirements through planning work of critical educators such as Paulo Freire, Carla
and articulation with our two local community Shalaby, Linda Darling-Hammond and Tyrone
colleges. Currently, students are required to take Howard, my proposed project is a club-style
two years of high school physical education, but outreach to cultivate and inspire pathways to
these courses do not count towards A-G or Grade careers in teaching among the primarily Latinx and
Point Average (GPA) for college admissions. Students African-American students in our school district. My
will need to meet minimum grade requirements to particular focus will be on working with students
receive college credit for articulated classes. Still, attending our district’s continuation high school
they will be provided with multiple pathways to following critical theories that suggest that some of
choose from instead of a one-size-fits-all physical the best solutions to our pressing problems in
education course for high school credit. More course society rest with those who are “closest to the pain.”
offerings also allow students to choose paths that In this case, continuation high school students
lead to leadership opportunities through peer comprise some of the most marginalized students in
mentoring, teaching and coaching assistants, our district that potentially have the most to tell us
volunteer work at the school, and certification for about what successful and impactful teaching can
jobs in the community. look like. Future Inglewood Transformative
Educators a.k.a. “The F.I.T.E. Club” will provide a
STEAM Ahead facilitated space where 10th and 11th grade
$18,504.00 | Malinda Gill continuation students can unpack their educational
Hermosa Beach Educators Assn. experiences, engage in critical conversations around
We want to launch a comprehensive robotics teaching and learning, receive mentorship from
program for STEAM instruction in grades TK - 5. current and retired educators, connect with teacher
It is important for students to have the opportunity education programs, and engage in opportunities to
to access technology and computer science with “teach” younger students within our district through
meaningful and relative instruction. We would hands-on and/or virtual interactions. The club will
purchase robotics based on student grade levels and meet after school once a week on campus and
combine discussion, guest speakers, text & media-
abilities. This would help scale their understanding
based readings, field outings and student-led lesson
to the importance of critical thinking skills and
planning to give students the opportunity to envision
collaboration. With the focus on STEAM, students
futures in education professions.
are able to embrace the engineering and design
process. Engineering is a crucial component to all
our futures, thus giving students opportunities to
utilize skills to help them with critical thinking and
problem-solving issues.
Page 7 of 15Smartphone Filmmakers Project Project-Based Learning in Social Studies
$20,000.00 | Aba Ngissah $20,000.00 | Magret Nunes
Inglewood Teachers Assn. John Swett Education Assn.
A multi-year project, the Smartphone Filmmakers Our goal is to build a more inclusive curriculum as
Project is a collaboration between the Inglewood part of our movement towards antiracism. We will
Teachers Association and the Inglewood Unified be working as a team to restructure our Social
School District. The project engages TK -12th grade Studies lessons to embrace the diversity of our
students in a filmmaker education series designed to students and our community. This department may
inspire young people to take an active interest in be adopting new textbooks this next year, so this is
professional video storytelling, creative business the perfect time to collaborate in providing a
practices and sustainability, using the latest mobile foundation for engaging all students in their
filmmaking technology. Using multiple facets of academic development while supporting their social
digital content productions, hosting guest workshops –emotional needs. We not only want our students to
with industry professionals, having access to high gain knowledge, but to act on the knowledge they
quality smartphone filmmaking equipment and learn. Aspects from the California Department of
trained teachers, our students are immersed in a Education’s Model Curriculum for Ethnic Studies
hands-on production program where they learn to Guidelines will be used to enrich the standards-
produce, write, direct, shoot, edit and market their based framework through a social justice lens.
work. Parents and family members are encouraged Project-based learning is the focus, as students will
to explore with their children and learn not only the have the opportunity to work on a variety of
craft of digital storytelling and career opportunities, individual, small group, and community-oriented
but how it can also be used as a vehicle for social activities that center on historical events, culture,
justice. The Smartphone Filmmakers Project is identity, and societal issues. These will include
divided into sessions. At the end of each session, cultural months and holiday celebrations and
students proceed to the next level where not only displays, artistic expression, personal narratives, and
are they learning more industry skills, but some are community service projects. Older students will
also being afforded paid internship and serve as mentors for eighth grade social studies
apprenticeship opportunities to create content for students, and projects will be shared with the
businesses and organizations. It being important that student body, staff, and the community. The
our students and their work are acknowledged and curriculum will center on United States History
recognized, a film screening is hosted where classes as a starting point, followed by collaboration
students, parents, educators, district leadership, with teachers of other Social Studies courses,
community, and industry professionals are invited to including Geography, World History, and American
celebrate our young filmmakers. Government.
McFarland Steel Drum Band
$5,000.00 | Jonathan Barr
McFarland Teachers Assn.
I am asking for a grant to purchase a Steel Drum
Band ensemble for use with the Jr. High and High
School music students of our small school district. A
company out of New Jersey called Vistapan sells
quality instruments that are ideal for student
performers as they are also coated with high gloss
black paint to provide more durability. The ensemble
package that I would request will allow for seven
performers for each song being performed. The
instruments I would request are as follows: Two (2)
Lead Pans, one (1) set of double seconds, one (1) set
of triple cellos, and one (1) set of two (2) bass (bass
range)… (Two additional percussionist will play to
provide rhythm).
Page 8 of 15Full STEAM ahead with the Tinker Collaboratory provide custom items for students with varying
$20,000.00 | Marcela Valadez abilities and vision. The items for each student
Montebello Teachers Assn. would directly correlate with their classroom
As a school team composed of teachers from curriculum.
different cultures, backgrounds and upbringings, we
recognize the diverse needs of our students and Student Empowerment Through Musical Mentorships [R]
have worked to utilize inquiry-based science to meet $20,000.00 | Alison Rosenblum
our students’ unique learning needs. Part of our Moorpark Educators Assn.
grand plan is to re-envision our school into an Middle school is a pivotal time in student
academy of culture, art, and science that leverages development where educators can leverage the
our school community’s skills and assets as a open-minded nature of adolescents to build their
foundation for our learning. This grant would help us confidence, expand their skill sets and knowledge for
to transform an existing space at our school into a the future, and nurture relationships that will last a
“Tinker Collaboratory” that would offer teachers the lifetime. Our Student Empowerment Through
tools and materials to orchestrate immersive Musical Mentorships affords all students on campus
experiences that help our students to understand the opportunity to participate in our classes, as well
complex phenomena through group, class, or school- as our campus-wide activities that focus on student
wide activities and projects. These projects could creativity, and community collaboration. This
integrate art and technology with scientific inquiry program will focus on our students improving their
and emphasize the application of skills and concepts confidence by building mentorships with our local
learned in school as a way to invent and innovate elementary school students through musical
solutions that address needs at school, home, in the collaboration. In addition, we will work to create
community and potentially the world. COVID-19 has positive relationships with our local high school and
presented us with a unique and challenging community college so our middle school students
situation, but as a school community we have come can be paired with older students who can provide
together to enact a shared vision of post COVID positive role modeling to expand their interest in
learning that will address our school community’s musical theater and success in school. We have
needs. found that students who participate in our Musical
Theatre and Choir Classes, as well as our After
Tactile, Tangible Teaching School Performance Enrichment Programs have
$4,893.39 | Michelle Michaeloff improved academically, are more connected to
Montebello Teachers Assn. campus, and have a more positive goal-orientated
This grant proposal would be to provide my visually outlook for future success. The IFT Grant would
impaired students with 3D printed materials that will enable our staff to exponentially expand the
help them access their curriculum. When a student is offerings to our students, improve our working
blind or low vision, a visual image and audio relationships with our neighboring schools, but more
descriptions have very little meaning. Tactile and importantly demonstrate the investment in our
tangible items need to be felt and explored by the students as they conceptualize their potential and
students for them to really understand. There are power to make a difference in our community and
only so many items that you can find around the the world. Student Empowerment Through Musical
house or in the store. A 3D printer would allow me Mentorships is our opportunity to redefine the
to open the world to my students and generate collaborative potential of performing arts education
items that can help to even the playing field. This in schools and serve as a model for other sites
would allow my students access to models and throughout California as we provide students a
tangible experiences. Additionally, some of my portal to attain success and realization of their
students with cortical visual impairments need items capabilities in the arts, the classroom, and beyond.
that are single colored to look at since they need
simplified materials. Multicolored objects create far
too much clutter and visual stimulation, but we
cannot give students items coated in toxic spray
paint. A 3D printer would allow me the ability to
Page 9 of 15Let’s Be Makers! programming with our Cue robots, while Cricut
$4,982.25 | Nora Eskew Design Space will allow them to create, design, and
Mountain View Teachers Assn. wirelessly cut with our Cricut Maker. iPads will
We want to start a Makerspace at our elementary facilitate opportunities for our students to connect,
school to engage the students in hands-on math, create, and explore how science, technology,
science, and art. We want to empower our students engineering, arts, and mathematics are all linked;
to dream and create while also learning valuable robotic supports will further expand the capabilities
skills such as coding and robotics. The Lego sets we and learning opportunities of our Cue robots; and,
want for our space will allow students to intuitively supplemental artistic material will allow our students
learn how to code while participating in both group to collaborate and create with our Cricut Maker.
and individual play. We hope to allow our students’ STEAM-ing Ahead will build community and create
the freedom to imagine while providing a rigorous opportunities for our diverse GATE students to excel
STEAM learning environment. in ways previously unavailable to them due to
challenges outside of their control, including
socioeconomic disadvantages, language barriers,
Nevada Union Advanced Manufacturing Program
and specific learning disabilities.
Expansion
$5,000.00 | Justin Coyle
Nevada Joint Union High School Teachers Assn. Project Diversity Through Literature
This project seeks to expand our school’s Advanced $9,945.00 | Silvia Gutierrez
Manufacturing program (a new program in the Palos Verdes Faculty Assn.
2020-21 school year). This program uses the electric Our goals are to build a culture of reading and a
guitar as the project of choice to introduce students deeper understanding of our high school community
to modern manufacturing concepts and methods. through the sharing of diverse literature. When
Students currently design and manufacture the people hear the term “diversity,” they think of race
majority of both the wooden and metallic parts of an or gender. However, “diversity” covers much more –
electric guitar while learning CAD/CAM software, the immigrant experience, children in foster homes
shop safety, and industry standard practices in CNC or blended families, those with physical or other
milling wood and aluminum. This proposal looks to disabilities, etc. We will provide our students with
expand the program in two ways. The first is to diverse books for outside recreational reading,
purchase two pickup winding machines and classroom Literature Circles, and student operated
associated tools. This will allow students to design Book Clubs. The students will find these book
and manufacture their own pickups for electric choices more authentic and more reflective of our
guitars. It also is asking for seed money to create a contemporary community than many of the current
classroom based business to enable electric guitar required English texts that rely on the Classics. We
manufacturing program can be self sustaining in the will invite all stakeholders - students, teachers and
long term. parents - to be involved through book discussion
groups. With the grant we will purchase five copies
of 70+ titles of YA books which will be housed in the
STEAM-ing Ahead
school library and available for any student to
$4,993.94 | Jera Verboom
borrow. However, our efforts to encourage reading
Orland Teachers Assn.
will extend beyond the library and into the
STEAM-ing Ahead will expand our current GATE
classroom. Some English teachers have agreed to
program by providing our students with hands-on
provide the books to their ninth and tenth grade
opportunities to explore science, technology,
students for outside recreational reading and for in-
engineering, arts, and mathematics. Through the use
class Literature Circles. Students will have a wide
of Apple products, robotic supports, and
selection of books to read, as choice is an important
supplemental artistic material, this project builds on
step in building an interest and passion for reading.
our current program and will utilize the vast array of
In addition, teachers who serve as club advisors will
STEAM applications offered through Apple, including
organize book clubs within their organizations. The
Cue Wonder Workshop and Cricut Design Space. Cue
PTSA will also be invited to participate in a special
Wonder Workshop will allow our students to further
parent/student book meeting.
develop their coding skills and transition from block-
based coding to state-machine and text- based
Page 10 of 15BioSustainability Greenhouse paint and hide a kindness rock in the community.
$20,000.00 | Maria Schmidt Make cards for those in care centers. I can’t wait to
Perris Secondary Educators Assn. see the excitement on students’ faces when they’ve
This grant will fund the building of an aquaponics done something kind for someone else and hearing
system that will be student designed, built and about the happiness it brings them. The impact of
maintained. Students exercise both mental and these acts of kindness will be far reaching both in
material resourcefulness as they work individually, terms of students learning to work together, be kind
and in teams to maintain, monitor, measure, record, to themselves and others others and spreading
and amend key components of the aquaponics kindness to the world.
system in a number of ways. This will be
collaboratively taught by a science teacher and a CTE Autoshop
special education teacher. Projects that incorporate $13,179.39 | Yvonne Molles
collaboration with other programs and the San Bernardino County Teachers Assn.
community are a key component to the course. We Our Impact Grant will be used to support the
will be including the art department and courses, implementation of a new Autoshop GTE class at our
culinary arts courses, PLTW engineering courses, community School in Rialto, CA. This Autoshop class
biology courses and Advanced Placement Science will be attended virtually and in-person by students
courses. The idea is to create a place that will be a from our sister Community Schools in San
community accessible place to which students can Bernardino, Colton, Redlands, Yucca Valley and
educate others on sustainability with aquaponics. Victorville. Students will learn the practical
At course completion, students will participate in a application of automotive industry and careers. Our
required exit project, to design a pilot aquaponic goal is to connect students with employers in their
system for either their own home, or a proposal for a local communities after the completion of the 180-
community project (local, state or national) that hour course. Students will learn real world skills that
they will submit to the business or agency. equip them to go on to college and or vocational
school (while obtaining ASE certification).
Captain Kindness
$1,673.00 | Terri Meyer Seeds of Hope
Sacramento City Teachers Assn. $11,533.68 | Susan Barkdoll
I want to spread kindness throughout Sacramento. I San Bernardino Teachers Assn.
want to start a kindness club and encourage The grant proposal is to build an orchard for 548
students to be more inclusive and kind. We will students ranging from Transitional Kindergarten
learn about kindness,and talk a lot about the places through sixth grade. The proposal is community-
where you can show kindness to others: at home, at based, relying total on corporate sponsors,
school, and in your community. I also want to bring volunteers, and local government agencies to
the focus of kindness inward and talking about how collaborate in the success of the orchard for North
you can also be kind to... yourself and others. Each Verdemont Elementary School. The grant funds will
month our four kindergarten classes will team up be used to install an orchard, picnic benches and
with our third grade buddies to take on a kindness garden beds on the school campus in an unusued
challenge. The first month our buddies will make the area on campus. The outdoor learning center will
kindergarten students “Kindness Capes". They will provide a sanctuary for students, staff and the
paint smiley faces on the capes (made from T-shirts). native wildlife to find serenity and calm. Students
The capes will be delivered by our principal with our will research the native trees and cultural practices
first kindness challenge. Spread a smile to three from the past, as they select the trees and plants for
people. Watch and see what happens and report the outdoor learning center. The orchard and raised
back to the group. Kindergarten students get to garden beds will provide fresh fruit and vegetables
wear the capes in class when they demonstrate for the students, while providing children the
kindness or caring for themselves or others. They are opportunity to research, design and oversee the
Captain Kindness Superheros! Each month of the establishment of an outdoor learning center for the
school year a new challenge will be presented. Write campus. The STEM project is an environmentally
a kind message on the sidewalk with sidewalk chalk embedded endeavor that increases oxygen
Page 11 of 15production by planting trees, reduces water in the form of “Makerspaces” where students engage
consumption, and provides food for the children. with their peers in STEAM quests (SQ). Students will
The turf will be removed by the San Bernardino actively apply their focus “SPOT” skill during the SQ.
County Metropolitan Water District as a means to The SQ will be led by student “Mentors.” These peer
conserve water use in our city. An irrigation system, leaders will offer support, guidance and
donated by Rainbird Corporation, will be installed by encouragement during the SQ activities. Our hope is
community volunteers to replace the spray methods that students will apply this knowledge to their
with a drip system to reduce water usage. An group interactions, and we will see dramatic changes
American Disability Act compliant pathway will be in relational skills and many “Ah Ha” moments as
created to allow the 11% of Special Education students become more self aware. Our long-term
students access to the orchard, as well as handicap aspiration is that the students show an increase in
accessible garden beds. The labor will be provided by their Social Emotional intelligence and will follow
the community volunteers from the local Boy and them to the next grade level and beyond. When
Girl Scout troops under the supervision of the students leave our school equipped with strong
Master Gardeners of San Bernardino County. Ten emotional skills and intelligence, supported by
picnic tables will be used to ensure social distance healthy relationships they have built over the years,
measures are insured for each class utilizing the they will feel empowered to go out into the realms
area. Ten raised garden beds will all students, even of higher education and the workforce at large and
with physical challenges, to participate in the achieve great things. With monetary support, we will
outdoor lessons. be able to spearhead the Social Emotional
Development movement at our school. The students
Sheeko Sheeko and all stakeholders connected to our school will
$5,000.00 | Niomie Allison benefit significantly from the changes in hearts and
San Diego Education Assn. minds that this program will bring.
In honor of National Poetry month, students,
teachers, and community members from a variety of Painters Space
socio-economic and cultural backgrounds will work $5,000.00 | Michelle Favro
together to create a venue for self-expression and San Juan Teachers Assn.
team-building. Students will submit original artwork In a world where Covid has separated us, bullying is
and poetry to be displayed and read aloud during a abundant, income inequality is prevalent and
live performance on school grounds. As culmination, electronics/social media have taken center stage, I
we will publish hard-bound anthologies for want to provide students a space where they can
community distribution. Participation prizes will be express themselves artistically, where they can take
awarded to each family. pride in what they have achieved and share that
with others all within a safe environment. I was lucky
Balanced Kids enough to get moved into an old video production
$19,205.00 | Allegra Raiger classroom that has a perfect back room that, with
San Diego Education Assn. (Iftin Charter) funding from this IFT grant, will be transformed into
“Balanced Kids” is an initiative to teach and help a painter’s studio, where I will expose my students
students apply Social Emotional intelligence (SEL). to artistic expression outside of a traditional
Utilizing a combination of literacy and hands on classroom setting. The Painters Space is large
experiences, students will come to understand how enough to house 12 easels, mobile storage units, and
to regulate, value, and integrate social emotional art supplies. This creative learning environment will
skills into their daily lives. The literacy component allow for more choice-oriented creativity where
showcases a book series called “A Little SPOT” by students will be challenged to express themselves
Diane Alber. Students will be introduced to a focus more organically, learn time management, how to
“SPOT” each month. The “SPOT” teaches an emotion inventory supplies and how to put on an art exhibit.
and how it can be correctly regulated. When Once this room has been transformed into a
students are able to see their emotions and feelings student’s art paradise, my goal is to expand upon
as something tangible suddenly the handling of their my current curriculum, focused on technique and
“SPOTS”(emotions) becomes easier. The hands-on the principles of art, and offer an advanced painting
component of our program is presented to students class similar to those at the college level.
Page 12 of 15Warrior in the Garden [R] Rotate with Tech
$16,319.48 | Diana Colmenero $3,994.23 | Katy Thompson
Selma Unified Teacher’s Assn. Tulare City Teachers Assn.
This two part project incorporates the creation of a Technology can be used to experience learning you
designated outdoor learning space for yoga and a can’t get anywhere else. The hands-on experience
garden revitalization and expansion project. This you receive through building and rebuilding and
project would serve over 400 students, grades then testing and problem-solving is unmatched.
kindergarten through sixth. It will cultivate a Through building robots, creating video games, and
strength-based culture by growing food and coding tiny robots, students will have hands-on
practicing mindfulness through yoga in a student- experience that allows them the opportunity to
built oasis on our very own campus. This secular learn from mistakes they make and correct them.
form of mind-body exercise focuses on mental and Perseverance is something missing from many
physical benefits. Student-made yoga decks will students right now, but not because they don’t have
enhance the natural space and provide an outdoor it, but because they often aren’t given a chance to
learning environment used by the entire student build and show it. I believe through activities like
population at Indianola Elementary. Expanding and coding and robotics you build perseverance and grit.
maintaining the school garden can be achieved Your projects never work the first time. You always
through the utilization of teacher, parent, staff, and have to use problem-solving strategies to figure out
most importantly students’ strengths and will serve what went wrong and solve it. This type of learning
as an invaluable resource for all students, especially is especially important in our school. Our students at
those with special needs. Taking a course to become Mulcahy are 96% socioeconomically disadvantaged
a certified yoga instructor will enable me to teach and 91% Hispanic. Both of these being traditionally
using a systematic approach so that students may underrepresented in the technology fields. This
reap the plethora of benefits that stem from the would be a completely new experience for most of
practice of yoga. them. I want to purchase Lego Mindstorm robots,
Bloxels, and Ozobots to create a rotation of
Project Mountain Ride technology so all students throughout the year are
$20,000.00 | Keith Sprague able to work on different projects. Lego Mindstorms
Trinity Alps Unified Teachers Assn. allow students to build a Lego robot and then code it
Project Mountain Ride will fulfill the immediate and to carry out commands like driving or drawing.
desperate need of providing students with positive Bloxels is a platform that students physically create
and healthy ways to meet and cope with their characters and stories that they then turn into their
challenging, and ever-evolving, physical and mental own video games. Ozobots are tiny robots that are
health needs. By expanding our current mountain able to be coded using chromebooks. With a
bike club, incorporating our Alternative Education combination of all of these, I would be able to build
students, and taking the unique approach of infusing a curriculum for my technology class that
it with Social Emotional Learning components and encourages perseverance and creativity in our
practices we will create an SEL program unlike any students.
other. Utilizing community resources students will
learn new skills, acquire new positive role models,
and learn from experts in their field. Students will
increase their self- confidence by setting goals and
achieving them. Families will be strengthened
through volunteer time and weekend family rides.
Project Mountain Ride will bring the many positive
and healthy benefits of cycling to our students
giving them opportunities to fit- in, create lifelong
friendships, and become lifelong learners.
Page 13 of 15L.E.A.P. Into Your Future Building on Students’ Futures
$20,000.00 | Sandra Martinez $4,993.29 | Christina Sanders
Unified Assn. of Conejo Teachers Valley of the Moon Teachers Assn.
Throughout our careers, we have watched our Electives providing hands-on learning and a safe
Spanish-speaking students be excluded from campus place to just create are becoming extinct. I would
life in one way or another. In an effort to expand the like to provide my students with a woodworking
opportunities for our Latino students, we are space in our Maker Lab. This idea came about last
creating The Latino Empowerment and Assets year when students wanted to make wooden games
Project (LEAP). LEAP’s mission is to build confidence to play during their lunch hour. We borrowed a few
and positive life experiences in its student members tools, designed five different games, and students
by providing the opportunity to organize student- built them in teams. We put them out at lunchtime
centered campus events, participate in collaborative and the whole school loved it! I would like to make it
community-building activities alongside motivated a part of my regular curriculum. I have the space,
mentors, and facilitate inclusive family-centered have been taking woodworking classes, and now I
opportunities. This powerful project will coordinate just need the tools!
a plethora of events such as fostering strengthened
connections between Spanish-speaking parents and The Sounds of Music
the campus life, arranging for Latino mentors from a $4,804.09 | Carolyn Niehaus
wide range of professions to provide college and Valley of the Moon Teachers Assn.
career insights, and attending invaluable college Electives courses, such as music, are a hands-on, safe
tours to encourage our students to visualize their
space for students to create and explore that are
academic talents. These experiences will help
becoming extinct. I’d like to provide an opportunity
students to see the extraordinary possibilities in for students to continue to create the sound of
their own futures. Our LEAP Program focuses on the
music individually and together. The band performs
assets that our Spanish-speaking students and their
multiple times a year at both campus and
families bring to our school and community while
community events. We need instruments in proper
empowering our students to reach self-actualization. working order in order to continue to learn and
High school is a pivotal time in student development
perform. Many instruments are in need of major
where educators can leverage the open-minded
service and repairs from natural wear and tear over
nature of adolescents to build their confidence, the years. Like vehicles, instruments need to be
expand their skill sets and knowledge for the future,
serviced for optimal performance. Learning how to
and nurture relationships that will last a lifetime. Our
play in the band with a broken instrument is like
LEAP Into Your Future Program is our opportunity to
learning to drive a car that won’t start. We have
redefine student support in schools and serve as a many enthusiastic students excited to be part of the
model for other sites throughout our school district
music program and having the proper materials and
and California as we provide students a portal to
an instrument in good working order will set them
attain success and realization of their capabilities in
up for success.
the classroom and beyond. This program is one small
step for our students at Thousand Oaks High School,
but one giant LEAP into the future for our Latino
students in California who are realizing their
potential and dream about a better future!
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