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
2021-22 Teacher Innovation Grant Program
AEF is pleased to announce the opening of the 2021-22 Teacher Innovation Grant program. District staff are encouraged to apply for a 2021-22 AEF Classroom Innovation Grant of $500 (min) - $10,000 (max) to support student-engaged projects that enrich learning and encourage classroom innovation.
Classroom Innovation Grant Awards
Teacher: April Larson
School: Early Education Center
Students Impacted: 350
Amount Funded: $1,150
A “Screen-free Zone” campaign at the Early Education Center will make the entryway and hallways a technology free space to encourage healthy limits and ensure that time spent there is used for engaging and responsive interactions during this critical time of development. This campaign will also impact classroom practices around the use of screened technology and increase alternatives to its use.
Teacher: Linnay Schweisthal
School: Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 70 students annually in grades 9-12
Amount Funded: $2,150
The Farmbot integrates robotics, nutrition, soil science, biology, coding and technology for more precise use of resources. Students will experience cutting edge technology used for precision agriculture.
Teacher: Amy Revering
School: Miltona Science Magnet Elementary
Students Impacted: 140 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $3,500
The mobile magnet wall will be used to examine slope, cause and effect, momentum, gravity, and laws of motion through hands-on experimentation. Students will utilize their problem solving skills to explore, experiment, and collaborate.
Teacher: Barb Walswick
School: Woodland Elementary
Students Impacted: 300+ each year in grades K-3
Amount Funded: $2,000
The Outdoor Makerspace will allow students to investigate, explore, create, and expand their horizons in a natural setting through interactive stations set up for individuals or small groups.
Teacher: Lukas Gotto
School: Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: 1050 students each year in grades 6-8
Amount Funded: $3,849.94
With this grant newer models of Spheros will be purchased. This will provide every middle school student with the opportunity to learn basic coding and will add robotics to the curriculum.
Teacher: Nathan Knick
School: Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 180 students each year in grades 10-12
Amount Funded: $5,637.83
The Wasp clay extruder is similar to a 3D printer and can print anything designed out of clay. This grant incorporates technology with art, allowing students to be very creative with design.
Teacher: Jan Finazzo
School: Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 25 students per year in grades 10-12
Amount Funded: $550
Funds will be used to purchase network took kits, RJ-45 connectors and Ethernet cabling. Students will experience first-hand how to create an Ethernet Straight-Through cable, an Ethernet Crossover cable, as well as experience terminating Ethernet cables with RJ-45 connectors.
Teacher: Corey Halstead
School: Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: Up to 60 students per year in grades 10-12
Amount Funded: $9,261
This grant will contribute to the purchase of three flight simulators for a new course, Aviation, being offered for the 2021-2022 school year. Experience with the flight simulators will help prepare students to pass the FAA Private Pilot exam.
Teacher: Jillian Burns
School: Lincoln Elementary
Students Impacted: 400 each year in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $1,900
This grant will fund the purchase of a K-5 classroom pack of robots and allow for a 3:1 student-to-robot ratio. The Dash and Dot robots come with “Learn to Code” curriculum to cover grade levels K-5.
Teachers: Kayla Walsh and Maari Ost
School: Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: 20-35 students each year in grades K-2
Amount Funded: $1,000
This grant will provide gross motor movement options for students. Various equipment will be purchased and used when students need to take a break and move their bodies.
Teacher: Rhonda Blaser
School: Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: 500+ each year in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $3,258.35
This grant will provide additional instruments needed to complete the set of Orff instruments at this school so that there are enough for an entire class. These instruments enhance the music classroom to promote student confidence, create lifelong musicians and creative problem solvers.
Teacher: Patti Hinrichs
School: Lincoln Elementary
Students Impacted: 500 students each year in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $5,814.10
Students will be able to use the climbing wall to improve physical skills such as upper body and core strength, balance, endurance and flexibility. It also provides opportunity for teamwork problem solving and building confidence.
Teacher: Lynn Strandskov
School: Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: 1 Kindergarten class
Amount Funded: $701.60
Stem bins will provide students with activities that promote exploration and play. They will include hands-on manipulatives to be creative with.
Grant Archives
View all current and past grants by clicking here or using the search function.
2021 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 Foundation has awarded nearly $55,200 in scholarships to 58 students.
The Seeds for Future Learning Klimek Family Scholarship provides for two $400 scholarships to students who have an interest in pursuing a college degree in business, education, manufacturing, or agriculture.
2021 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.
2021 Class of 1988 Scholarship Recipients:
The Kim Jenson "Lift Her Up" Scholarship provides a $1,000 scholarship to a young woman who will be attending the Alexandria Technical & Community College.
2021 Kim Jenson "Lift Her Up" Scholarship Recipient:
The Bev "B" Lohrman Grossman Scholarship provides a $1,000 scholarship to a young woman who has participated in at least one full season of a sport during each year at AAHS. The scholarship is in memory of B Lohrman Grossman, a former teacher in the Alexandria Public Schools who started and coached the first girls basketball team and girls track team in the early 1970's.
2021 Bev "B" Lohrman Grossman Scholarship Recipient:
The Ron Lindley Memorial Scholarship will provide a $3,000 scholarship in for a student to continue their education. The scholarship is in memory of Mr. Ron Lindley, a former English teacher and coach for the Alexandria Public Schools.
2021 Ron Lindley Memorial 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.