Grant Gazette
August 2024
FY25 Teacher Dream Grants
The Teachers' Dream Grant aims to assist creative educators in implementing innovative projects to enhance student learning by offering grants ranging from $500 to $5,000.
The Teacher's Dream Grant program supports innovation in various areas, including:
- Boosting student achievement and academic enrichment
- Bridging achievement gaps
- Enhancing school and community relationships
- Improving classroom and school learning environments
- Cultivating critical and creative thinking skills in students
- Advocating for social justice
- Meeting other needs within a specific school community.
Since 2006, TDG has awarded $50,000 annually, significantly impacting the education sector.
The following teachers have been granted Teacher Dream Grants for the 2024-25 academic year.
Alana Veach
Marion-Franklin High School
$ 2,000.00
Amy Seidle
Siebert Elementary School
$ 3,491.20
Brittany A Baker
West Mound Elementary School
$ 468.87
Brittany M Sherman
Columbus Downtown High School
$ 1,400.00
Caryn C Shapiro
Columbus Global Academy
$ 1,723.73
Chiquita R Toure
Columbus Africentric Early College HS
$ 4,740.00
Danielle M Roop
Linden-McKinley STEM
$ 1,000.00
Deandrea D Jones
Weinland Park Elementary School
$ 2,000.00
Deborah C Kincaid
Broadleigh Elementary School
$ 2,500.00
Jennifer A Peters
Briggs High School
$ 5,000.00
Jeri Hensley
Woodcrest Elementary School
$ 1,000.00
Jillian L Deas
Linden STEM Academy
$ 2,000.00
Jocelyn F Reedus
Weinland Park Elementary School
$ 1,500.00
Kathleen A Mcafee
Woodcrest Elementary School
$ 3,000.00
Kelsey A Callahan
Mifflin Middle School
$ 1,500.00
Laura H Valentine
Indianola Alternative
$ 1,500.00
Lauren A Haga
Cassady Elementary School
$ 1,250.00
Lizeth Espinoza Guzman
Columbus International High School
$ 500.00
Maggie Rapp Boggess
Beatty Park Elementary School
$ 1,800.00
Mary M West
Indian Springs Elementary
$ 3,428.00
Maya S Marlowe
Cols. City Preparatory School for Girls
$ 2,000.00
Monique D Walker
Sherwood Middle School
$ 1,500.00
Nancy E Nenninger-Gualtieri
Moler Elementary School
$ 3,000.00
Nina T Young
Cols. City Preparatory School for Girls
$ 2,092.00
Patricia R Vazquez
Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy
$ 1,000.00
Paul V Lasker
Beechcroft High School
$ 900.00
Paula A Gebhardt
Clinton Elementary School
$ 1,000.00
Quetah M Sackie-Osborne
Mifflin Middle School
$ 2,271.20
Rashaun C James
Mifflin Middle School
$ 1,200.00
Rosalind R Parker
Olde Orchard Elementary School
$ 1,000.00
Sam Leopold
World Language Middle School
$ 2,500.00
Sidney C Irvine
Columbus Africentric Early College HS
$ 890.00
Sonja R Degenova
Woodcrest Elementary School
$ 1,000.00
Susan Mazur
Marion-Franklin High School
$ 850.00
Vera R Allen
Georgian Heights Elementary School
$ 4,980.86
Victoria R Johnson
Georgian Heights Elementary School
$ 3,000.00
Wanda R Presberry
Columbus Downtown High School
$ 2,500.00
Title 1 Crate Reminders
In order to streamline the approval process in Title I Crate, our office will be providing additional templates for upload. The sign in sheet linked below is required to be uploaded into Title I Crate for all professional development activities. If you have any questions, please reach out to us in State and Federal Programs. Please see Title I Crate and future Grant Gazettes for additional templates as they become available.
Looking for Funding?
To assist in finding funding, the State and Federal Programs office has a process in place to assist you. We will review your request and respond with available grants. A grant search can be initiated by clicking on the following link:
Ohio Arts Council - Individual Excellence Awards Applications Open
The Individual Excellence Awards program honors outstanding accomplishments by Ohio artists in various disciplines, providing them with $5,000 to support their artistic growth and career advancement. Eligibility criteria include being an Ohio resident for at least one year before the September 1 deadline, being at least 18 years old, and not being a current high school or degree-seeking student. Artists can apply once per year, with exceptions for those in the Criticism discipline, but can only receive one award annually. Recipients cannot apply the following year and cannot resubmit previously funded work. The award celebrates exceptional creativity and imagination and must be used for professional development rather than educational programs.
Applications are due September 3, 2024. Additional information and the application can be found at the link above.
Freedom Grant Opportunity
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
As we prepare for the brand-new school year, a grant opportunity has been presented to the district. The Freedom Center has shared that grant funding is available to help cover the cost to visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The grants will cover the full cost of admission. To apply for grant funding, please have a letter, on school official letterhead, stating that 50% or more of your schools’ students are on free or reduced lunch. The letter should also state the purpose of the visit. This will need to be signed by the principal as well. You can email the letter to groupsales@nurfc.org . Once the letter has been received, you will know within 24-48 hours if the group has been approved for grant funding.
For more information about field trips please visit https://freedomcenter.org/fieldtrips. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Morgan directly at 513-333-7542.
Note, when sending letter to the Freedom Center, please copy grants@columbus.k12.oh.us to record this opportunity.
Thank you and Good luck!
Grants with Upcoming Deadlines
Grant Name: Keely Lake Travel Grants for School Groups
Amount: Up to $2,000
Application Due: September 30, 2025 for fall requests. January 30, 2026 for spring and summer requests
Keely Lake Travel Grants are designed for 7-12 grade school teachers who want to take their students on a trip to an excavation, exhibit or historic site(s) that both enhances their learning experience and furthers their interest in Classical Studies. The grant supports both domestic and international travel.
Grant Name: Change Happens Grant
Amount: Awards vary
Application Due: Inquiries accepted year round
Grants focus on three areas: environmental science, education and human services. The grants will align with the Foundation's missions of diversity, equity and inclusion with particular emphasis on the empowerment of women and underrepresented communities.
New Staff in State and Federal Programs
Chikira Ford is the new account clerk for the State and Federal Department at Columbus City Schools. Her career has been shaped by extensive experience in audits and operations, with a solid foundation in banking and finance. Ms. Ford is a leader who thrives on the success of others while advocating for diverse viewpoints to drive positive outcomes. She anticipates multiple scenarios and makes agile decisions to achieve results, constantly seeking innovative approaches to problem-solving and task execution.
Beyond the grants department, Ms. Ford is eager to apply her skills across the district to support CCS’s mission and vision. She looks forward to collaborating with each of you and contributing to our collective success. Thank you for welcoming her to the Columbus City Schools team.
