GALA's Mini-Grant Winners!

We are delighted to announce the two recipients of this year's $500 Mini-Grants!

Thank you to all applicants—your innovative submissions made our decision incredibly challenging.

This $500 grant will greatly enhance our after-school reading club by providing the funds to purchase newer book sets, allowing us to expand our current book offerings and accept more students into our reading club. Traditionally, our club has thrived on student choice, empowering them to select collectively the books they wish to explore. This grant eliminates previous constraints tied to our limited on-hand collection, enabling us to include more recent titles that resonate with our readers. Our club aims to foster a deeper understanding of literature by encouraging lively discussions about the books, their characters, and their themes. This creates a community of readers who not only develop a love for reading but also enhance their critical thinking skills and their ability to articulate their ideas with other students. Currently supporting 15-20 students, this grant will allow us to grow our reach and continue our mission to prepare students to become thoughtful, literate citizens.

I'm Kelsey Howard and I am a first year Media Specialist in a K-5 elementary school. I switched to education after 13 years in News Media because I always had a passion for working in the library and working with children. I started an after-school Reading Club this school year and I was astounded by the number of students who wanted to stay after school and talk about books! Every Wednesday they would show up, excited to choose our next book. Unfortunately there weren't a lot of books to choose from because we didn't have enough of the same copy for every student. I applied for this grant because I wanted to provide my students with newer books to read and have enough for every student to read together.

The grant funds for the STEAM Club and Literacy Project will be divided into several key areas to support program components and ensure successful implementation. A portion will be dedicated to purchasing STEM/STEAM supplies, including robotics kits, science equipment, art supplies, and technological tools, facilitating hands-on learning and fostering innovation. Additionally, funds will be allocated to acquire a diverse range of literacy resources such as books, e-books, magazines, and educational software, catering to different reading levels and interests to promote literacy development alongside STEM exploration. Finally, a contingency fund will be set aside to address unforeseen expenses or emergent needs, ensuring flexibility and adaptability in project implementation. Through strategic allocation, the project aims to create a robust learning environment that integrates STEM/STEAM disciplines with literacy instruction, empowering participants with essential skills for future success.

With 20 years of experience, including 11 years teaching 5th grade and a Masters degree with endorsements in STEM and Gifted education, I've dedicated myself to enhancing student learning and engagement. Over the past two successful years, I've helped lead an afterschool STEAM club, leveraging my expertise to inspire students beyond the classroom. As we prepare for our third year, I aim to incorporate a stronger literacy component, recognizing the importance of literacy skills across all subjects. The GALA Mini-grant presented an ideal opportunity to support this goal and further enrich our STEAM club experience.

GALA Leadership Team

• Bethany L. Scullin, Chair
• Robert A. Griffin, Vice Chair
• Jennifer K. Allen, Treasurer
• Helena Foster, Secretary
• Megan Schumacher, Membership Committee Chair
• Carolyn Cutts, Social Media Committee Chair
• Oluremi Wright, Grants/Scholarships/Awards Committee Chair
• (Open position), Professional Development Committee Chair

Contact GALA: chair@galiteracy.org

Website: https://www.galiteracy.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/613939080319035