CCSF funds record number of grants for CCSD educators
More than 200 educators across Cherry Creek Schools have been awarded with an Educator Initiative Grant (EIG) for the 2022-23 school year, thanks to generous donations to the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation. See the full list of recipients here.
These grants of up to $1,200 will be used by teachers for a specific project designed to spark learning and align with the district’s core values. This year, the Foundation saw a 30% increase in the number of educators applying for grants, which are used for classroom supplies, technology, curriculum and other opportunities for students. These grants aren’t just about materials, however. EIG-funded projects often give educators an opportunity to try something new.
Amanda Arlington, art teacher at Canyon Creek Elementary, used her EIG funds from the past school year to create an interactive and collaborative group project where students designed a rainforest and solar system.
“Collaborative projects help every student learn in a way that individual projects don’t,” Arlington said. “Even my last class stayed focused and engaged, which doesn’t always happen at the end of a school day on a Friday! I want to do so many more collaborative projects like this one.”
Arlington is one of the 202 educators who will continue to inspire students with innovative projects. This year, educators proposed a variety of funding opportunities including field trips to museums, robotics kits, sensory pathways, musical instruments and diverse books for libraries.
"I am so excited to add books to our classroom library,” Red Hawk Ridge Elementary third grade-teacher Renee Baptiste shared. “The students will be so thankful for having an opportunity to explore new grade level books! We celebrate and extend our thank you to the foundation members for helping our class grow and reach further into literacy.”
