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

 Sponsor the IPEF Teacher Grants ❤

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 FarnoShaking Up Storytime
Radhika VenkatsesanReady, Set, Record!

Clow Elementary School

Megan PalombellaRec/Leisure Skills Instr Autism Classroom
Darlene CodyStem Center for Early Learner IEP Students

Cowlishaw Elementary School

Robin HalickiStories Worth Performing Again and Again

Crone Middle School

Jennie MevoliZen Den

Fischer Middle School

Deb KimminauI See Your Point!
Anna Fries & Lynne WhiteOnly One You!

Fry Elementary School

Catherine McClureMinutes of Movement-Sensory Hallway

Georgetown Elementary School

Brian WiesbrookMulti-Cultural Book Club
Luke RahtjenInclusive Crayons
Vicki PattermannCalming Chairs

Gombert Elementary School

Shelley HutchisonOnce Upon a Folksong
Christina EnsignMagnets on the Move
Christina MesserschmidtOpen Ended Morning Work STEM Bins
Shelley May-HutchinsonNotes on the Floor, Let's Learn More!

Graham Elementary School

Michelle ShilesFull STEAM Ahead!
Michelle ShilesSocial and Emotional Learning For All

Granger Middle School

Jessica WalshHands on Hist: Ancient STEM Innov
Erin WashInnovative Ink
Cynthia ChejfecYoung Entrepreneur's Pop Up Store
Allan DavenportArcheological Dig Experience

Gregory Middle School

Ana BurnoppVirtual Instruction Enhancement
Glenda GustafsonOrder Up

Hill Middle School

Megan LoPrestoUnder Represented Musical Voices

Kendall Elementary School

Ayana JourdanSense of Place
Rhonda JenkinsPodcasting Power:Student Voices - Let them be heard!

Longwood Elementary School

Leslie PodeszwaGrowing Friendships

May Watts Elementary School

Ann CovertHydroponic Unit
Ashley JohnsonLife Skills Education
Sara FragenSetting 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 OryWe are 204 - Book Club Kits
Brad PfeilElectric Strings
Michael RossiWriters' Week
Adrianne ToomeyBiofuels-Saved by a Scientist, Again
Adrianne ToomeyDNA Demystified
Carol BacskaiFused Glass Flowers
Eric BodwellPoetry Workshop and Open Mic
Jacqueline BurnsViral Diagnostics-Beating the Next Pandemic

Owen Elementary School

Julie SladeSTEM Robots
Sameeha QureshiAnti-Bullying and Life Skills Assembly

Patterson Elementary School

Dawn Maly & Laura HarrisKids Using Their Voice with Podcasting
Kathleen GillSocial Emotional Tier 2 and Tier 3 Supports

Springbrook Elementary School

Dawn PopeElectricity is a Snap!
Dawn PopeHelping Hand Design
David AlessiaRising By Lifting Others
Sara BureshI Can Be the Change

Still Middle School

Amy ScottReal-World Speakers in Science
Amy ScottElectricity is a Snap!
Katherine WickertHelping Hand Design
Kristen O'TooleBuilding a Sensory-Friendly Learning Enviroment

Waubonsie Valley High School

Daryl SilbermanArt for Music!
Debbie BumberStudent Enterprise - Snack and Beverage Cart
Don DvorakThroughout History - Lost Wax Casting
Dwain AckermanGreenPrint Recycling Program
Jason StippWeekend Tutoring
Jason StippWarrior Connections-Outdoor Field Education Trip
Jen Bokermann & Jill CaseyForce Vector Tables
John FarnanDynamic DNA Kit
Kristen DidierFluorescent Light Covers
Kristen Mattson#WeAre204-What's Your Story?
Pam WestfallPCR for All

Welch Elementary School

Sarah OllayosWriters Workshop Wednesday's

White Eagle Elementary School

Jennifer KokesMorning Stem Bins

Young Elementary School

Jennifer HorstBooks with Buddies

Put your name on this list!

 Apply for a Teacher Innovation Grant ❤