Teacher Innovation Grants
2019–2020 Grants Applications are now closed
Check back in the Spring for 2020–2021 Opportunities
The Claremont Educational Foundation believes in supporting CUSD’s top-notch educational staff and nurturing a space where innovative ideas can develop and flourish. We are excited to fund grants of up to $2,000 to CUSD teachers and principals for creative projects that engage students in high-impact learning opportunities in both CEF’s traditional areas of focus (art, music and technology) as well as in other subject areas (humanities, sciences, etc). The focus of these grants is to enhance access to creative, project-based learning for CUSD students. Teachers may apply individually, groups of teachers may submit a proposal together for a collaborative school-site or grade-level project, or principals may submit a proposal for a school-wide project. Requests for Proposal will be posted every Spring for projects intended to start in the Fall. Teachers and principals in Claremont Unified School District are eligible to apply.
2019–2020 Teacher Innovation Grant Recipients
Conversations with Industry Professionals – $1,200
Presented to: Krista Carson Elhai and Tay Gendreau at Claremont High School
During the school year, 90 minutes events will help students prepare for career and technical readiness by connecting them with professional technicians who will share how to use the skills developed in their CHS Theatre work beyond their high school years, whether they pursue a post high school career in the arts or another field.
Global Citizenship Project – $1,680.28
Presented to: Molly Arboleda and Christopher Gyorgyovich at Claremont High School
This year-long project helps reluctant readers grapple with thought-provoking works of literature in a history classroom and will incorporate one novel for every triad/unit of study in a 10th grade college-prep world history course.
Math for Personal Finance – $1,400
Presented to: David Sawhill and Richard O'Neill at Claremont High School
Three courses on Math for Personal Finance will take place during second semester and will include a realistic 10 week online budgeting simulation where each student has a simulated job where they earn income, pay taxes, and participate in a 401k, all while renting an apartment, paying typical personal bills, and managing checking and savings account balances.
Student Podcast Series – $556.92
Presented to: Maria Zavala at Claremont High School
21st Century students seek and enjoy opportunities to document and broadcast their voices. With this project, students will have the opportunity to listen to and evaluate podcasts then host their own podcast series that demonstrates their understanding of a novel, course theme, global issue, or current event, or that tells a personal narrative story.
Garden Art for the Sam Maloof Foundation – $650
Presented to: Anne Mumper at Claremont High School
Students will learn how to create art for a specific site by creating garden art for the Sam Maloof Foundation. During this project, they will learn what goes into displaying art, why we create art shows, learn about the history of Sam Maloof and the art from his collections, and have an opportunity to learn new techniques from a guest speaker.
Scanning Equipment for Wolfpacket – $300
Presented to: Kevin Glavin at Claremont High School
Book and Document Scanner to aid in production of issues of the Wolfpacket each year.
PA systems for P.E. at all Elementary Schools – $380
Presented to: Alejandro Ramos and Curtis Tomkins, Elementary School P.E. Teachers
Two portable PA systems to assist the elementary school PE teachers in communicating with large groups of students at all seven elementary schools while motivating and inspiring them with music throughout a variety of outdoor lessons and activities.
STEM Literature for 1st and 2nd Grade – $502
Presented to: Beejal Hansen, Sheri Castro, Elaine Anderson,Patti Colinco, Lynne LeForge and Denise Klinovsky at Sumner Danbury Elementary School
1st and 2nd grade students, in both general education and special education, will have opportunities to listen to a story and then engaging in a STEM activity that is directly related to the story.
Breakout EDU Kits for 5th Grade – $1,200
Presented to: Jennifer Luebbers, Ellen Crawford, Renee Duniven, and Jenny Genovese at Condit Elementary School
5th graders and the Special Day Class at Condit will incorporate Breakout EDU kits with digital access to the Breakout EDU game platform with over 1,500 games, which allows students to use critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication.
The Mindfulness Toolbox Training – $2,000
Presented to: Christine Malally at Condit Elementary School
The Mindfulness Toolbox Training empowers teacher to be aware and in-charge of his/her own emotional state. When adults learn that they have the power to be the master of their brain and their emotional state, how they choose to respond to everyone in life, especially their students, is also improved. By providing teachers with these mindfulness tools and insights, they will improve their own mental, emotional and physical health and the positive impact on the students are unlimited.
TEACCH Sensory Materials for Young Learners – $375
Presented to: Katie Gilmore at Oakmont Outdoor School
Through this project, students with autism and related disorders will learn to sit at a table, attend to a task, and learn in a group and with a teacher through interacting with task boxes (part of the TEACCH ¬– Treatment and Education for Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children – method), sensory bins, and other sensory supports. Each box has a clear start and finish, is hands-on, clearly designed, and provides error-free learning opportunities that are motivational and build learning momentum for young learners.
Sensory Pathway – $710
Presented to: Renee Flores and Jessica Rayos at Oakmont Outdoor School
Sensory pathways offer students a physical break that helps them remain on task and focus in the classroom. They are an evidence-based, colorful, creative and playful way for kids to improve motor planning, fundamental motor skills, and build stronger sensory connections in the brain that are responsible for sight, touch, sound, balance, proprioception etc., which enable kids to complete complex, multi-stage tasks and and helps students gain better control of their impulses and improve academics in the classroom.
STEAM Lab Green Screen Studio and Dash Robots – $1,634
Presented to: Ann O'Connor, Maria Rivasplata, Deztini Clark, and Erik Dahl at Chaparral Elementary School
This green screen studio for Chaparral’s STEAM lab will allow students to discuss, evaluate, and reflect on their learning using their imagination and digital skills by incorporating technology into their creative work and illustrating scientific processes.
Ecological Schoolyard Outdoor Lab – $1,800
Presented to: Jennifer Maclin, Morgan Goodman, Kimberly Walters, Michele Wayson, and Ann O'Connor at Chaparral Elementary School
This ecological schoolyard will teach the principles of ecology through the design of the schoolyard landscape by allowing classes to meet outside, enriching traditional lessons in every discipline with hands-on learning resources and living systems that students can observe and interact with on an ongoing basis.
Green Screens for World History and Drama – $250
Presented to: Nicole McCabe at El Roble Intermediate School
7th Grade World History Students and 7th and 8th Grade Drama Students will have the opportunity to use green screens to create reenactments, biographies, and more.
Reptile Transportation Devices Using Chemical Reactions – $339
Presented to: John Madunich at El Roble Intermediate School
Students will learn to design and build scale models of a container that incorporates chemical reactions and can be used to transport a reptile. Students will choose from a range of chemical reactions in order to determine which best meets the objective and will then conduct a study to determine the best method for accomplishing it. This project combines the students’ knowledge of chemistry with practical engineering skills.
Inquiry Investigation on Photosynthesis – $870.71
Presented to: Sasa Bibic, Geoff Payton, and Chris Holcomb at El Roble Intermediate School
During this inquiry experiment, students will observe photosynthesis first-hand, and use the information gathered to design and conduct their own research experiments to determine what affects the rate of photosynthesis in a plant. Students will learn about the concept of photosynthesis and the carbon cycle in a project-based manner, discovering the ways that plants aid in this process.