Back to School Innovation Grants 2025
9/15/25, 5:00 PM
Our first grant round of the year brings dynamic, engaging learning opportunities to NGSC schools.
Congratulations to recipients of the NGEF Back to School 2025 Innovation Grant Cycle. We look forward to seeing your projects in action!
PCHS Tiger Academy for Alternative Education Teacher Dina Shipley is fine-tuning this new program with $200 for accessiblity tools, alternative seating, and sensory bands. Providing such tools ensures that students are able to successfully access learning material in a way that fits their learning styles.
PCMS Band Teachers Molly McCord and Scott Salmond teamed up for a combined $1,000 to purchase classroom sets of Habits of a Beginner Band Musician and Habits of Middle School Band Musician, tools to elevate the instructional quality of the middle school band program by developing fundamental musicianship, supporting differentiated instructions, and enhancing ensemble performance.
PCPS/PCIS Music Teacher Sarah Bradley thinks outsde the box to make music accessible to her students. With a $500 grant from the NGEF, Sarah will purchase manipultive supplies such as agility rings, tennis balls, lummi sticks, and boomwhackers, providing the opportunity for students to learn music through movement.
PCPS/PCIS STEM Teacher Bryce Abbey knows that introcucing kids to science, technology, engineering, aand math at a young age is critical to instilling a love for learning and also appeal to kids' natural curiosity. He'll use his $500 grant to purchase STEM Bin toys such as building blocks, marbles runs, and magentic tiles for K-2nd graders.
PCPS Pre-K Teacher Makenzie Oelheim makes each day fun for her students with plenty of opportunity to learn and grown through play. With a $200 grant from NGEF, Makenzie will add new pretend play items such as dress-up clothes and toy kitchen kits to her classroom.
Preschool - Middle School Speech Language Pathologist Erin Stinson focuses on communication and cooperation with her K-5 TABS Tier 1 and 2 students as well as her K-8 Life Skills students. NGEF awarded $500 for cooperative games that will help students build effective communication skills, practice participation in group activities, and develop fine motor skills.