Affton teachers were surprised last month in their classrooms when members of the Affton Education Foundation awarded their annual Teacher Grants.
The Affton Education Foundation, founded in 2005, raises funds designated for teacher grants to support extraordinary efforts in the classroom. Over 20 grants are provided each year by the Foundation to Affton teachers. These grants, in amounts up to $1,000 each, enrich the curriculum with activities and technology. Since 2005, the Foundation has funded a total of 447 grants in the amount of $406,151.
For the 2022-23 school year, the Foundation awarded $31,151 for 36 grants which included: social-emotional learning resources, supplies for art, STEM, and creative endeavors, innovative learning tools and resources, reimbursement and cost reduction for Advanced Placement exams, and more.
Mesnier Primary School:
- Jennifer Conkwright, Kindergarten, Customized Workstations to Support Phonemic & Phonological Awareness
- Rebecca Dedert, Kindergarten, Workstations to Support Social Emotional Learning
- Kelsey Deery, Kindergarten, Create to Educate
- Nikki Kirksey, Kindergarten, Learning Centers & Creative Play for Growth & Explorations
- Cheryl Ladd, Kindergarten, Bridging the Pandemic Gap in Kindergarten
- Nicole Perkins, First Grade, Social Emotional Support Through Peer Interaction
- Kristina Pluff, Gifted Education, MPS Associate, Junior Architectural Firm
- Laura Sexton, Kindergarten, Enhancing Math & Literacy Skills Through Interactive Workstations
- Megan Smith & Hannah Wiese, School Counselors, Cooperating Cougars
Gotsch Intermediate School:
- Molly Alferman, Fifth Grade, Mirrors & Windows - Identifying With & Exposure to Different Cultures
- Mackenzie Barchet, Fifth Grade, Innovative Classroom
- Jacqueline Beyer, Fifth Grade, Innovative Classroom
- Kim Blankenship, Reading Interventionist, Diverse Choices for Diverse Learners
- Rachel Eaton, Gifted Education, LEGOs for Learning
- Lexi Jo Heitkamp, School Counselor, Kelso’s Problem Solvers
- Nicki Hejlek, Fourth Grade, Tower Garden
- Sheri Hogland-Brand & Jenn Molsbee, Fifth Grade, Outdoor Classroom Renovation
- Emily Pauk, School Counselor, Bullying Prevention Kits
- Taylor Pierce, Fifth Grade, STEM Supplies
- Greta Pitcher, SEL Interventionist, SEL School Library for ALL
- Kara Sanders, Makerspace, Gotsch 3D Design…and Prints!
- Jenny Spengemann, Fifth Grade, Innovative Classroom
- Anna Steffen, Third Grade, STEM Bins for Creativity & Fine Motor Strength
- Kim Westrich, Art, Empty Bowls
Rogers Middle School:
- Brooke Biernbaum, Family & Consumer Science, Desserts & Discussions - FACS Cooking Club
- Natalie Kilgore, Health, Adventure in Medicine
- Jennifer Laue, Physical Education, Free Weights
- Braden Leuthauser, Science, Teacher Digital Microscopes
- Colleen Malone, Drama, The Art of Puppetry
- Mandi Tripoli, Art, Digitally Enhancing the Art Curriculum
Affton High School:
- Jane Bohn, School Counselor, AP Exam Fee Relief
- Jason Buck, Director of College & Career Readiness, Dreams for Schools
- Heather Julius & Matthew O’Brien, Modern Language, Headphones with Microphones
- Mary Beth Merlo & Gina Stewart, Special School District, Mentoring Matters
- Judith Rethwisch, Theater, Expanding Our Art
For additional information or to support the Affton Education Foundation, please visit their website at http://www.afftoneducationfoundation.org/.