In total, Maps Community Foundation awarded $25,000 to support classroom and school-wide projects at twenty-five schools in the Mid-Willamette Valley region. The funds are part of the Foundation’s Education impact area, and this program is closely tied to our roots as a teacher’s credit union. We are so grateful for ALL of the teachers in our region.
Watch our Scott Elementary impact video and read the descriptions below to learn more about all of the exciting projects we funded.
Zoriana Camp of Roberts Middle School will purchase social emotional wellness curriculum and build out the Calm Center—a calming community space for emotional regulation.
Teri Birkel of Englewood Elementary will purchase hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) kits to inspire her 4th and 5th grade students to be curious about and have fun with math and science.
Carter Alt of Houck Middle School will purchase books in Spanish so that students can see themselves in the stories they read and be inspired to follow their dreams.
Tara Heikila of Leslie Middle School will purchase digital cameras so that students can use photography to show their thinking, amplify their voices and share their experience as mathematicians.
Renee Lupien of South Salem High School will purchase supplies for creative projects linking art and literature within the English department.
Maureen Foelkl of Queen of Peace School will purchase waterproof STEM scopes that can be used to magnify what students are seeing in both the classroom and outdoor learning environments.
Stacy Ryan of Liberty Elementary will purchase xylophone stands to promote proper playing position and posture and new mallets to allow for better sound quality.
Kelly Ridgeway of Kalapuya Elementary will purchase room partitions, calming and color changing lights, a soothing sound machine and more to enhance the calming sensory room.
Chris Weaver and Carli O’Brien of Straub Middle School will purchase supplies to develop a new school garden for students in their cooking and life skills classes.
Brad Kilgroe of Whiteaker Middle School will purchase a robust space telescope that can be used to view lunar rises and sets, planets and more—supporting space, physics, wave and energy units and inspiring science students.
Celine Carlton of Hallman Elementary School will purchase books to get students excited about reading and reward students who fill up their at-home reading logs with the goal of raising reading levels.
Leah Laughton of Scotts Mills Elementary will purchase functional furniture and soft lighting to improve the classroom environment, reduce headaches and increase focus.
Teresa Murphy of John F Kennedy High School will purchase clothing and shoes, school supplies, snacks and food for a new resource room that will meet student’s basic needs so they can focus on school success.
Penelope Freeburg of Falls City Elementary School will fund two field trips—one to a farm in Estacada and the other to the “End of the Oregon Trail” in Oregon City.
Lynn Bailey of Falls City High School will fund “culture of care” activities such as bowling, aquatic center trips, and more to build positive relationships between teachers and students that support school success.
Clair Dietz of Lyle Elementary School will purchase a classroom set of ukuleles and boom whackers that will allow students to access more instruments and support a well-rounded music education program.
Lisa Iverson of Turner Elementary School will purchase weatherproof outdoor musical instruments so that students can play before, during and after-school on the playground and in three outdoor classrooms.
Hollie Carlile of Mari-Linn School will purchase books, games, colored pencils and more to enhance the K-8 literacy intervention program and make learning to read more fun and engaging.
David Whetzel of Scott Elementary will purchase incentives for a new walking and running club to motivate students to increase their physical fitness which declined during the pandemic.
Anna Smoll of Waldo Middle School will purchase ukuleles for both music class and an after-school club to positively impact mental health, build community, and motivate students to work together to accomplish goals.
Susan Ellertson of Stephens Middle School will purchase supplies to revitalize the school garden for use as an outdoor classroom space, a refuge for students needing a break, and a way to give back to the community.
Hannah Austin of Swegle Elementary will purchase flexible seating including wobble stools, lap trays, stability cushions and kick bands so students can keep their minds focused and alert while learning.
Scott McGuyer of North Marion Middle School will purchase musical instruments so that students of all income levels can participate in band and experience the positive benefits of music.
Maribel Ortiz of Lincoln Elementary will purchase bilingual books to provide students with 3-5 books per week to take home and read with their families to facilitate parent involvement and increase access to books.
Erich VanBergen of Woodburn Success High School will purchase supplies to expand the school garden as an outdoor space for students to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) education, decompress from stress, grow food, and learn about healthy eating.
Check out our 2021 Teacher Grant winners here.