May 17, 2022 - The USD 232 Education Foundation awarded three district educators with the USD 232 Education Foundation Innovative Teaching Grant. This grant is available to all district educators who utilize inspired and innovative teaching practices that also reflect the district goals for learning. USD232EF was able to award three project proposals, totaling $2650, thanks to donations from community partners TriCentury Bank and K12itc.

The first grant award was presented to Neil McLeod, a robotics instructor for the CAPS program at Cedar Trails Exploration Center. He plans to use the grant to fund the initial startup costs for the Robotics Capstone First Technical Challenge Team. Along with the resources already available at CTEC CAPS, committed students will have the opportunity to flex their engineering and STEM skills to develop innovative solutions in this annual world-wide competition.

The second Innovative Teaching Grant was awarded to Mill Creek Middle School Media Specialist, Brandi Roberts. She submitted project details for an indoor garden and farmer's market where students would plan and execute the operations of growing food then sell their wares to staff members in the building. 

Laurie Hoover, a Kindergarten teacher at Prairie Ridge Elementary, was presented with the third Innovative Teaching grant and will use it to purchase customizable white boards for her classroom. This tool will help increase student participation and engagement in all subjects while also helping with phonemic awareness, spelling, handwriting and math. 

USD232EF Innovative Teaching Grant awarded to Neil McLeod at Cedar Trails Exploration Center


USD232EF Innovative Teaching Grant awarded to Brandi Roberts at Mill Creek Middle School


USD232EF Innovative Teaching Grant awarded to Laurie Hoover at Prairie Ridge Elementary