Teacher Innovation Grants
Teacher Innovation Grants
Teacher Grants
IPEF has long funded individual teacher’s ideas for engaging students through innovations in instruction. As the district grew, a formal application process was developed for these Teacher Grants, and IPEF now awards up to $50,000 annually to implement the best ideas.
Teacher Innovation Grants are made across a wide variety of subjects at every grade level; the examples below are the ‘tip of the iceberg’. We enthusiastically invite IPSD204 teachers to apply for a grant during our annual cycle. ➤
Teacher Innovation Grants Overview
IPSD204 is blessed with a a forward-thinking Board of Education, a supportive community and involved, enthusiastic parents. But its greatest asset is its teachers. District teachers at all of our schools continue reaching for new ways to enliven lessons and make key concepts ‘stick.’ Their ideas often require resources to buy materials, fund field trips and bring notable experts into the classroom.
IPEF seeks to nurture and reward that innovation with funding, on a quick turnaround basis, through the Teacher Grants program. Each Fall, teachers apply for a grant, stating the purpose and benefit of their idea, how many students will be impacted and a budget. The flood of great ideas are carefully evaluated, and the best are awarded a grant – anywhere from $500 to $5000. Some of these funded ideas go on to become a permanent part of the curricula or annual programs.
Help us sustain and build on this leagcy
Teacher Innovation Grant Theater
Holocaust Survivor
Hydroponic Garden
Live From Broadway
Crime Scene Investigation
Valley Runway
Hill Harmonizes
Saved By A Scientist
The Power of Music
Teacher Grant Interviews
2019 – 2022 Teacher Innovation Grant Recipients
Brookdale Elementary | |
| Lisa Furstenau | PlayAway Backpacks |
| Alice Iwinski | Raspberry Pi Coding Club |
| Karen Supel | Bobcat Brain Break |
Builta Elementary | |
| Jill De Farno | Shaking Up Storytime |
| Radhika Venkatsesan | Ready, Set, Record! |
Clow Elementary School | |
| Megan Palombella | Rec/Leisure Skills Instr Autism Classroom |
| Darlene Cody | Stem Center for Early Learner IEP Students |
Cowlishaw Elementary School | |
| Robin Halicki | Stories Worth Performing Again and Again |
Crone Middle School | |
| Jennie Mevoli | Zen Den |
Fischer Middle School | |
| Deb Kimminau | I See Your Point! |
| Anna Fries & Lynne White | Only One You! |
Fry Elementary School | |
| Catherine McClure | Minutes of Movement-Sensory Hallway |
Georgetown Elementary School | |
| Brian Wiesbrook | Multi-Cultural Book Club |
| Luke Rahtjen | Inclusive Crayons |
| Vicki Pattermann | Calming Chairs |
Gombert Elementary School | |
| Shelley Hutchison | Once Upon a Folksong |
| Christina Ensign | Magnets on the Move |
| Christina Messerschmidt | Open Ended Morning Work STEM Bins |
| Shelley May-Hutchinson | Notes on the Floor, Let's Learn More! |
Graham Elementary School | |
| Michelle Shiles | Full STEAM Ahead! |
| Michelle Shiles | Social and Emotional Learning For All |
Granger Middle School | |
| Jessica Walsh | Hands on Hist: Ancient STEM Innov |
| Erin Wash | Innovative Ink |
| Cynthia Chejfec | Young Entrepreneur's Pop Up Store |
| Allan Davenport | Archeological Dig Experience |
Gregory Middle School | |
| Ana Burnopp | Virtual Instruction Enhancement |
| Glenda Gustafson | Order Up |
Hill Middle School | |
| Megan LoPresto | Under Represented Musical Voices |
Kendall Elementary School | |
| Ayana Jourdan | Sense of Place |
| Rhonda Jenkins | Podcasting Power:Student Voices - Let them be heard! |
Longwood Elementary School | |
| Leslie Podeszwa | Growing Friendships |
May Watts Elementary School | |
| Ann Covert | Hydroponic Unit |
| Ashley Johnson | Life Skills Education |
| Sara Fragen | Setting The Stage to Engage |
Metea Valley High School | |
| Adam Page | Professional-Grade Zoom Lens for Newspaper Journalism |
| Ann Cluxton | Elevate: Educate and Empower |
| Ashley Kasher | Vinyl Cutter, Press and Starter Materials |
| Josh Kaminsky | MV Jazz Concert Series |
| Nicholas Marasco | Innovative Agriculture STEAM Challenge |
| Susan Fehrer | District 204 Iowa Caucus Trip |
Neuqua Valley High School | |
| Carrie Ory | We are 204 - Book Club Kits |
| Brad Pfeil | Electric Strings |
| Michael Rossi | Writers' Week |
| Adrianne Toomey | Biofuels-Saved by a Scientist, Again |
| Adrianne Toomey | DNA Demystified |
| Carol Bacskai | Fused Glass Flowers |
| Eric Bodwell | Poetry Workshop and Open Mic |
| Jacqueline Burns | Viral Diagnostics-Beating the Next Pandemic |
Owen Elementary School | |
| Julie Slade | STEM Robots |
| Sameeha Qureshi | Anti-Bullying and Life Skills Assembly |
Patterson Elementary School | |
| Dawn Maly & Laura Harris | Kids Using Their Voice with Podcasting |
| Kathleen Gill | Social Emotional Tier 2 and Tier 3 Supports |
Springbrook Elementary School | |
| Dawn Pope | Electricity is a Snap! |
| Dawn Pope | Helping Hand Design |
| David Alessia | Rising By Lifting Others |
| Sara Buresh | I Can Be the Change |
Still Middle School | |
| Amy Scott | Real-World Speakers in Science |
| Amy Scott | Electricity is a Snap! |
| Katherine Wickert | Helping Hand Design |
| Kristen O'Toole | Building a Sensory-Friendly Learning Enviroment |
Waubonsie Valley High School | |
| Daryl Silberman | Art for Music! |
| Debbie Bumber | Student Enterprise - Snack and Beverage Cart |
| Don Dvorak | Throughout History - Lost Wax Casting |
| Dwain Ackerman | GreenPrint Recycling Program |
| Jason Stipp | Weekend Tutoring |
| Jason Stipp | Warrior Connections-Outdoor Field Education Trip |
| Jen Bokermann & Jill Casey | Force Vector Tables |
| John Farnan | Dynamic DNA Kit |
| Kristen Didier | Fluorescent Light Covers |
| Kristen Mattson | #WeAre204-What's Your Story? |
| Pam Westfall | PCR for All |
Welch Elementary School | |
| Sarah Ollayos | Writers Workshop Wednesday's |
White Eagle Elementary School | |
| Jennifer Kokes | Morning Stem Bins |
Young Elementary School | |
| Jennifer Horst | Books with Buddies |
Put your name on this list!
