December 22, 2021, Allentown, Pa. -- The Allentown School District Foundation (ASDF) is pleased to announce the newest cohort of Teacher Innovation Grant (TIG) recipients known as TIG Fellows. Grant proposals are developed by ASD educators to bring Allentown students added, enriched learning experiences. This year, grant support from the Verna O. Canova Foundation, The Bill Sugra Memorial Fund and a designated gift from Dr. and Mrs. Dennis Blankowitsch provided funds for the program. Additional funds from 2019 and 2020 will support projects that are still being finalized after a pandemic-related hiatus. Gifts to support and grow this impactful, high-growth initiative are always welcome.
2021-2022 Cohort of TIG Fellows
TIG Fellow
School
|
Impact Area
|
TIG
Program Title
|
Grant
|
# Student Participants
|
Grade
|
Michelle Bruno
William Allen HS
|
English/History
|
Digital Preservation of Allen History Part 2
|
$1200
|
35
|
9-12
|
Crystal Sterner
William Allen HS
|
Social Emotional Learning
|
SEL Yoga: For a Calmer, Healthier You
|
$1199
|
40
|
9-12
|
Kevin Boucher
Louis E. Dieruff HS
|
Physical Education
|
Pool Islands/Swimming Platforms
|
$1143
|
20
|
9-12
|
Charal Williams
Louis E. Dieruff HS
|
Environmental Science
|
Greenhouse/Garden Initiative
|
$1200
|
200
|
9-12
|
Meghan Smith
Building 21
|
Family and Consumer Science
|
Adulting 101
|
$1198
|
50
|
9-12
|
Carolyn Conlon
Harrison-Morton MS
|
Science
|
Science Boxes for Virtual Students
|
$626
|
48
|
7
|
Conchetta Marucci
Trexler MS
|
English Language Arts
|
Edgar Allan Poe: The Man, The Writer, The Critic
|
$1200
|
130
|
7
|
Jennifer Gross
Trexler MS
|
All Subject Areas
|
L.I.T. Learning in Trexler
|
$1200
|
40
|
6-8
|
Lindsay Galusha
Dodd ES
|
Social-Emotional Learning
|
The Sensory Lending Library
|
$1173
|
700
|
K-5
|
Christina Cope
Dodd ES
|
STEAM
|
Building Steam: Dodd Beautification
|
$1200
|
650
|
K-5
|
Jennifer Rarick
Ramos and Hays ES
|
Instrumental Music
|
Elementary Oboists
|
$1200
|
2
|
4-5
|
Kimberly Youwakim
Sheridan ES
|
Functional Living
|
Sheridan's Coffee Cart
|
$787
|
6
|
3-5
|
Stacy Cunningham
Sheridan ES
|
All Subject Areas
|
Standing to Learn
|
$999
|
30
|
2
|
Kaitlynn McNally
Sheridan ES
|
Mathematics
|
Increasing Fact Fluency Through Reflex Math
|
$1200
|
34
|
3-5
|
Sheri Sousa
Roosevelt & Union Terrace ES
|
STEAM
|
Makey Makey: Turning STEM into STEM
|
$1200
|
400
|
3-5
|
Karen Price
Union Terrace ES
|
STEAM
|
STEAM Club Jr.
|
$1200
|
15
|
2-3
|
Jillian Emert
Washington ES
|
Functional Living
|
A UNIQUE Cooking Cart
|
$1200
|
8
|
3-5
|
TOTAL # Student Participants: 2,408 (estimate)
Selected by the ASDF TIG Committee on November 30, 2021, the Teacher Innovation Grants were approved and announced to ASD educators through surprise visits to their classrooms December 8-22. Highlights from this year:
The ASD Foundation is awarding 17 Teacher Innovation Grants totaling $19,125. The grants fund projects in 11 ASD schools and will include: six STEM/STEAM; two English/Language Arts, two Functional Living and two Social Emotional Learning; and one each in Family Consumer Science, Music, and Physical Education. Project funding will be released right after the winter break in January 2021. Part of the innovation grant process includes an evaluation component and TIG Fellows reception, which happens in June.
The Teacher Innovation program was founded in 2010 with a small grant. Since that time, more than $162,000 has been granted to 164 teachers. Proposals with a maximum request of $1,200 were submitted by ASD educators and reviewed by the eleven members of our volunteer TIG Committee. The Committee scored each application using a quantitative rubric to award a total score of up to 25 points for each submission. All grants were also reviewed and approved by school principals and ASD curriculum directors to meet standards.
"This year the committee unanimously agreed to approve all submissions that met District conditions and criteria in recognition and celebration of the educators' commitment to providing innovative programming. These educators are navigating unprecedented educational terrain precipitated by Covid-19 mandates with fortitude, flexibility and resolve in their quest to create a spark that ignites a life-long love of learning and impact not just minds, but hearts as well,” said Jane Marks, TIG Committee Chair. “We extend our gratitude to our sponsors and all ASD educators who submitted TIG proposals and to the TIG Committee for its dedication.”
The TIG Committee consists of Altagracia Mercado (Urban Affairs Liaison for Senator Pat Browne), Anita Stevens (retired ASD teacher), Diane Wittman Koch (Newspapers in Education Manager, retired, The Morning Call); ASDF board members: Maryann Gross (representing all curriculum coordinators), TIG Co-chair Dr. Dennis Blankowitsch (retired ASD administrator), TIG Co-chair Jane Marks (retired gifted teacher in ASD), ASD Foundation Administrator Vicki Newhard, Ralph Todd (retired ASD administrator) and Susan Geise, volunteer and parent of three William Allen High School graduates. Missing in action were the following reviewers who submitted their recommendations: former ASD Foundation president Barry Halper, ASD test administrator Lizabeth Hutchison and retired ASD teacher Anita Stevens. The Foundation is grateful for your service and dedication. Jane Marks (Chair), Mike Bruckner, Kay Kurtz, Angela Nolan, Dr. D'nese Sokolowski, Dr. Erika Sutherland; and ASDF past board members: Dr. Dennis Blankowitsch and Dr. John Stevens.
[updated 1/13/22]
About Allentown School District Foundation
With a vision for enriched education for ASD students, the ASDF mission is to encourage, promote, support and fund positive educational experiences for students in the Allentown School District. If you would like to sponsor a TIG grant or learn more, please contact the Foundation at 484-765-4093 or [email protected]. The mailing address is P.O. Box 328, 31 South Penn Street, Allentown PA 18105. http://asdf.allentownsd.org.
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