Teacher Innovation Grants for 2021-2022 SY Announced

Teacher Innovation Grants for 2021-2022 SY Announced
Posted on 12/22/2021
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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