Teacher Grants
We support classrooms
Annually, AEF invites the district’s teachers and staff to submit grants for projects and programs that will have a meaningful impact on students. The grant requests are primarily in the areas of engineering, core curriculum subjects, technology, and arts programs. The Foundation’s goal is to grow the endowment to $1 million, making it possible, with the coupling of annual giving, to fund $100,000 in education-enhancing grants annually.
Grants would go directly to support:
• Students in developing essential knowledge and skills
• Students in every building and every grade level
• The Arts and Academies of Alexandria
Classroom Innovation Grant Awards
Project Title: Activities for High Potential Students in Self-Contained Programs
Teachers: Sean Foster, Dave Harstad, Sam Suchy, Sam Kloskin, Alexis Backhaus, Jill Bantau
Schools: Lincoln Elementary, Woodland Elementary, Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: 6 students in grades K-8
Amount Funded: $869.15
Alexandria Public Schools has three self-contained programs that serve special education students with EBD or autism in a setting that allows their unique needs to be met. Students in these programs have significant issues with social skills and emotional regulation; they are unable to function full-time in regular classes as a result. While these programs support emotional intelligence and teach pro-social and pro-regulation skills, they are not equipped to challenge students with high cognitive potential intellectually. This grant would provide funds for self-paced, high-interest, hands-on activity kits (based on coding) for high-IQ students in these programs.
Project Title: Sensory & Skill Building Activities
Teachers: Gabrielle Manzano and Tara Hanson
School: Lincoln Elementary School
Students Impacted: 50-60 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $500
This grant will support the purchase and implementation of a comprehensive set of sensory regulation tools and activities within Lincoln Elementary School. Understanding the vital role of self-regulation in both academic and social-emotional success, our goal is to create a supportive environment where all students can effectively manage their sensory needs and emotional responses. Additionally, the grant funds will enable the purchase of games designed to reinforce social skills learned during direct skill instruction.
Project Title: The World at Play: Preschool Academy Adventures
Teachers: Tammara DeJesus & Abby Doherty
School: Miltona Science Magnet
Students Impacted: APS Preschool – Early Education Center & Carlos Elementary Sites
Amount Funded: $2,500
This project aims to enhance preschool dramatic play by creating four thematic “academies” aligned with district career pathways. These academies (Business, Engineering, Health, and Exploration) will provide rich, engaging play experiences focused on social-emotional, cognitive, and academic development. Teachers will create multi-sensory materials to support learning. Outcomes include improved collaboration, problem-solving, vocabulary, pre-literacy, and math skills. By expanding dramatic play resources, the district seeks to boost student engagement and prepare children for future academic success.
Project Title: Cardinal Book Nook: A Magic Vending Machine for Soaring Young Readers
Teacher: Rose Weisel
School: Carlos Elementary School
Students Impacted: School-wide, approximately 110 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $7,557.50
The Cardinal Book Nook is an innovative literacy initiative designed to make reading exciting and rewarding. With the installation of a book vending machine, children will have the opportunity to “purchase” books using special tokens earned through positive behavior, academic achievement and reading milestones. The project will foster a culture of literacy by giving students ownership of their books, making reading feel like a special reward rather than an assignment. Our goal is to motivate reluctant readers, celebrate enthusiastic ones and ensure ALL students, regardless of background, have access to high-quality books they can take home and keep.
Project Title: Creativity and Construction through Cardboard Cutting
Teachers: Miltona Staff
School: Miltona Science Magnet
Students Impacted: School-wide, approximately 130 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $728.00
This project provides safe, effective cardboard cutters for our young inventors. Intermediate-grade students can build various designs and prototypes to be tested. Primary-grade students can transform everyday boxes into castles, greeting cards, animals, or anything else imaginable. Students will construct 3D models, toys, and other creations from recycled cardboard, with the safety of the BeaverBot and the Makedo tools. Cardboard cutting and creation will promote hands-on learning, problem-solving, fine motor skills development, spatial awareness, and hand-eye coordination.
Project Title: Miltona Rock Climbing Wall
Teacher: Riley Gustafson
School: Miltona Science Magnet
Students Impacted: School-wide, approximately 130 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $9,285
A Traverse Rock Climbing Wall will be a fun and exciting way to build muscular strength and challenge students mentally and physically as part of the physical education programming at Miltona Magnet School.
Project Title: Invention Convention in 3D
Teachers: Kari Gilbertson & Kelly Herrera
School: Voyager Elementary School
Students Impacted: 150 students in grades 2 & 3
Amount Funded: $2,000
All 2nd and 3rd-grade Voyager students would be able to create 3D models of their inventions using a 3D printer. Each year, Voyager’s 2nd and 3rd graders collaborate to hold an Invention Convention, where students research, design, and develop their own inventions or study famous inventors. A 3D printer will allow students to bring their ideas to life by creating physical models of their designs. Throughout this project, students spend weeks exploring the value of innovation through reading and writing. Incorporating 3D printing would provide an exciting opportunity for them to engage with cutting-edge technology while deepening their understanding of the invention process.
Project Title: Let’s Get Growing
Teacher: Elizabeth Boike
School: Voyager Elementary School
Students Impacted: 80 students in grade 2
Amount Funded: $1,200
This grant will allow students to experience growth from seed to full-grown plants. Students will use certain pods to show plant structures, and have a better experience seeing these plant parts in real life. Students will be able to create and test theories about the speed at which plants grow when we change the environment in which they are growing. Growing vegetables that students can produce and enjoy will emphasize the importance of sustainable agriculture.
Project Title: Playground Communication Board
Teacher: Renae Christenson
School: Voyager Elementary School
Students Impacted: 20 students in grades PreK-5
Amount Funded: $1,629
A post-mounted communication board on the playground at VES would allow students to have effective and efficient communication access while outside. Several students at VES use a speech-generating AAC device to communicate. Communication on the playground and outside can become difficult for students who use these devices for various reasons, such as inclement weather and ease of transporting. These factors can cause students to be unable to communicate effectively when on the playground. In addition to these students, several other students would benefit from a playground post-mounted communication board. This includes students with difficulty communicating while dysregulated, students with limited communication skills, and students who are English language learners.
Grant Archives
View all current and past grants by clicking here or using the search function.
2025 Scholarship Awards
-The Foundation wants to build a financial cornerstone for investing in students and teachers in Alexandria Public Schools. One of the ways we do that is by helping students attain college degrees. Through a competitive scholarship process, the Foundation financially supports students in the transition from high school to 2 and 4-year colleges.
Since 2009, the Alexandria Education Foundation’s donors have awarded $89,800 in scholarships to 85 students.
The Seeds for Future Learning Klimek Family Scholarship provides two $500 scholarships to students interested in pursuing a college degree in business, education, manufacturing, or agriculture.
2025 Seeds for Future Learning - Klimek Family Scholarship Recipients:
The Class of 1988 Scholarship fund was created through a generous 1988 Jefferson High School graduate. This scholarship in the amount of $2,200 is awarded to one student who plans to pursue a degree in education, health care, or the arts. Post-secondary plans can include either a 2-year or a 4-year program.
2025 Class of 1988 Scholarship Recipient:
Alexandria Light & Power "Above and Beyond" Scholarship
One $3,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student whose family is an ALP Electric Utility customer.
2025 ALP "Above and Beyond" Scholarship Recipient:
Bill Flaig was a lifelong Alexandria resident. He worked for many years as the CEO of the Douglas County Hospital. He had a deep commitment to Alexandria and Douglas County and was involved in innumerable community service activities throughout his life. This $1,000 Scholarship is to recognize a graduating student who demonstrates great commitment and leadership in community service.
2025 Bill Flaig Community Service Scholarship Recipient:
Ken and Jeanne Howell have established a scholarship fund to encourage students interested in pursuing a career in a medical profession. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to one student who plans to go into a health care field.
2025 Ken and Jeanne Howell Scholarship Recipient:
Alexandria Area High School Capital Campaign
In September, 2011, voters showed solid support for building a new grades 9-12 high school in a special election. The cost to residents for the project was reduced thanks to a Capital Campaign conducted prior to the bond referendum vote. This Capital Campaign was a joint effort between the Alexandria Education Foundation and the Alexandria School Board that represented a unique public-private partnership. This partnership raised over $4 million in pledged contributions from individuals, businesses and other entities in the community to help reduce the tax impact for district residents.
Every gift, large or small, helps sustain the tradition of educational excellence in Alexandria public schools.