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: 3D Printer Farm
Teacher: Austin Aker
School: Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 180 students 9-12th grade
Amount Funded: $1,200
This project will create a small 3D print farm to increase exposure to rapid prototyping with 3D printing and reduce project time. The printers are used to help students create a product or invention.
Project Title: Instruments for Music Class Enhancement
Teacher: Lisa Blevins
School: Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: Over 300 band students in grades 6-8
Amount Funded: $6,200.00
This grant will enhance Discovery Middle School (DMS) music classes by purchasing instruments for students. The equipment will allow all students to participate equally in the music classroom activities. Adding instruments to DMS inventory will promote student confidence and encourage lifelong musicians and creative problem solvers.
Project Title: Lego Spike Prime Robots
Teacher: Jon Hennen
School: Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: Over 100 students in 8th grade
Amount Funded: $4,939.00
Lego Spike Prime Kits will be used in the robotics course at Discovery Middle School. The kits will provide students with an engaging, hands-on experience to explore things such as coding, engineering, design, and problem solving. Throughout thie coursse, students will use the design process to build and code various robotic projects.
Project Title: Engineering Derby Cars in Innovation Lab
Teacher: Lukas Gotto
School: Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: Approximately 100 students in 8th grade
Amount Funded: $1,875.00
This grant will purchase a track to be used for derby car racing in the Innovation Lab class at Discovery Middle School. The Derby Car unit combines STEM and woodworking by having the students design derby cars using Tinkercad and 3D printers and building their final product in the wood shop. Their cars will be put to the test on the newly purchased Pitsco racing track.
Project Title: Orff Instrument Music Class Enrichment
Teacher: Ray Noble
School: Garfield, Miltona & Carlos Elementary Schools
Students Impacted: 360 students K-5
Amount Funded: $5,300
Orff instruments at GMC schools will allow students to receive hands-on musical experiences, play as an ensemble, collaborate with peers, create, reflect, revise, and perform self-created compositions. These instruments have exceptional durability while still maintaining great sound quality.
Project Title: Get Outdoors with Grab and Go’s!
Teacher: Amy Revering
School: Miltona Science Magnet Elementary
Students Impacted: School-wide, approximately 140 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $6,000.00
Get Outdoors with Grab and Go’s! includes nine science-themed kits of lesson plans and activities. The kits provide teachers with easily accessible, standards-based lessons that can be implemented in an outdoor setting. Students will be able to observe, investigate, manipulate, collaborate, and problem solve using manipulatives and activities in the kits.
Project Title: Rock Climbing Walls
Teacher: Riley Gustafson
School: Garfield Elementary & Carlos Elementary
Students Impacted: Over 260 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $12,000
This grant will provide a Traverse Rock Climbing Wall at both Garfield and Carlos Elementary Schools. The climbing wall will give kids a new way to move their bodies during their physical education classes and challenge them in new ways.
Project Title: Outdoor Makerspace
Teacher: Kristen Schmidt
School: Carlos Elementary
Students Impacted: 120, PreK-grade 5
Amount Funded: $3,624.67
Purchasing an Outdoor Makerspace allows all students at Carlos Elementary to create, build experiments, and explore using hands-on outdoor materials. This will foster and create innovative outdoor learning opportunities and will include materials that will provide unique, year-round, outdoor learning experiences for all students.
Grant Archives
View all current and past grants by clicking here or using the search function.
2023 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 $73,400 in scholarships to 72 students.
The Seeds for Future Learning Klimek Family Scholarship provides two $400 scholarships to students interested in pursuing a college degree in business, education, manufacturing, or agriculture.
2023 Seeds for Future Learning Klimek Family Scholarship Recipients:
The Class of 1988 Scholarship fund was created through a generous 1988 Jefferson High School graduate. These scholarships in the amount of $2,200 each are awarded to two students who plan to pursue a degree in education, health care, or the arts.
2023 Class of 1988 Scholarship Recipients:
The Kim Jenson "Lift Her Up" Scholarship was established by Kim Jenson, an ATCC alum who benefitted from the support of mentors as she worked through school. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to one female who will be attending the Alexandria Technical & Community College (ATCC) in the fall, and is willing to work with a mentor.
2023 Kim Jenson "Lift Her Up" 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 is a $1,000 Scholarship is to recognize a graduating student who demonstrates great commitment and leadership in community service.
2023 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.
2023 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.