The Education Foundation is pleased to announce the 2026–27 quarter one recipients of ELEVATE! Grants, an initiative to better support educators and students.
For the 2026–27 quarter one cycle, the foundation approved seven ELEVATE! Grants, totalling over $13,000 to fund innovative classroom projects and learning opportunities across the district.
Jenny Barnart and John Fulkerson at Mill Creek Middle School received a grant for Angle Ball to purchase three Angle Ball sets to introduce the sport to Mill Creek in an effort to expand the variety of activities available to students.
Sarah Gilbert at Monticello Trails Middle School received a grant for Battle of the Books, a program to encourage students to read a diverse selection of books and then compete in teams to demonstrate their knowledge.
Quin Showalter at Mill Creek Middle School received a grant for Pegasus Robotics, an initiative that with expand competitive middle school robotics so more students can build, program, and compete.
Kayla South and Skylar Ross at Mill Creek Middle School received a grant for Making Thinking Visible: A Collaborative 6th Grade Mathematics Initiative, to transform two 6th grade math classrooms into collaborative, student-centered classrooms.
Katie Taber at Mize Elementary received a grant for Roll Up the Music: Making Music Accessible to purchase roll-up glockenspiels to make music accessible, joyful, and empowering for every student.
Laura VanLeeuwen at Mill Valley High School received a grant for Electronic Keyboards for Choral Practice Rooms to purchase three Yamaha electric pianos to replace faulty equipment and expand the number of pianos available for student use.
Lauren Ward at Lexington Trails Middle School received a grant for Empowering Every Voice: Immersive Communication and Adaptive Inclusion, to purchase enhanced learning programs and adaptive tools to increase student communication and skill-building beyond a special education classroom.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters, USD 232 educators can continue bringing imaginative, hands-on learning experiences to students, sparking creativity and new opportunities throughout the year. The support of our donors ensures every student has the chance to reach their full potential.