District 58 Education Foundation Grants $33,000 for Innovative Teaching

The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 has awarded a total of $33,000 in grants to support 17 teachers during the upcoming 2025-26 school year. These grants are designed to provide educators with the necessary resources to implement hands-on learning experiences that will directly benefit students across the district.

District 58 Superintendent Kevin Russell expressed gratitude for the foundation’s commitment to enhancing education. “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 recent news release. He emphasized that the collaboration significantly improves classroom learning, noting that this year’s grants will introduce innovative and impactful projects for students.

Teachers and staff submitted their grant applications in the fall, which were subsequently reviewed through a thorough, blind process by the foundation’s grants committee. The selected projects were chosen based on their potential to enhance instruction and their alignment with the district’s curriculum goals.

Anne Healy, chairwoman of the foundation’s teacher grants program, highlighted the foundation’s long-standing support for District 58. “This year, we challenged teachers and staff to think outside the box, and their grant proposals demonstrate thoughtful and engaging approaches to the classroom,” Healy said. She expressed excitement about transforming these proposals into tangible projects that will directly enrich student learning experiences.

Details of the Awarded Grants

The following educators were among those who received grants:

– 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 will be recognized at a spring 2026 board of education meeting, celebrating their contributions to enhancing educational experiences within the district. For further information about Downers Grove Grade School District 58, visit www.dg58.org, and for details on the Education Foundation of Downers Grove, visit www.58foundation.org.