Three Mendon Community School District 4 teachers benefit from ‘Fund My Classroom’ initiative

MENDON, Ill. — Three Mendon Community Unit School District teachers recently were awarded grants through Western Governors University’s “Fund My Classroom” initiative.

Stephanie Altgilbers, a math teacher at Unity High School, received a $1,395 grant to buy new graphing calculators. Lauren Hartley, K-6 counselor at Unity Elementary School, received a $450 grant to enhance student support resources. Bobbette Keefe, Unity High School science teacher, received a $175 grant to fund her wind power project. All three teachers learned they were selected to receive the grants on May 8 and 9 when they were surprised with check presentations at their schools.

The $1,395 grant Altgilbers received will impact on math education at Unity High School by addressing the limited availability of graphing calculators for students. Currently, the school only possesses one set of graphing calculators per math classroom, which restricts students’ access to these essential tools for completing homework outside of school. With this grant, Altgilbers aims to obtain 20 TI-84 calculators, creating an additional class set to meet the needs of her students.

By increasing the availability of graphing calculators, students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning, explore mathematical concepts more effectively and complete homework assignments with greater ease. This grant will play a crucial role in fostering a more equitable learning environment, ensuring all students at Unity High School have access to the necessary resources to excel in math under Altgilbers’ guidance.

Hartley aims to create a nurturing environment where students can develop crucial social-emotional skills and receive the necessary support to thrive academically. With the $450 grant she received from WGU, she will provide valuable tools and materials, including social-emotional reading materials, fidgets, weighted blankets and vests, sensory toys and visual aids.

These resources will make Hartley’s counseling office a hub of support for students across all grade levels that will foster self-awareness, empathy and healthy relationships among students, while empowering students to manage their emotions effectively and navigate challenging situations. With this grant, Hartley believes Unity Elementary School can create a positive and inclusive learning environment, ensuring students have the resources they need to succeed academically and emotionally.

With the help of the $175 grant she received, Keefe plans to obtain four models of wind turbines for a wind power project in her earth science class at Unity High School. This project will allow her students to learn about alternative energy sources, specifically wind power. Students will work in groups to build and test the wind turbine models, gaining a deeper understanding of how wind turbines work and analyzing their impact on the environment. This hands-on experience will not only enhance their knowledge of science but also foster teamwork and critical thinking skills.

The innovative classroom projects were among 22 across Illinois chosen by WGU to receive funding. The nonprofit, fully online university issued a call in early March for K-12 teachers across the state to nominate proposed classroom projects by April 14 for the opportunity to receive full or partial funding through its “Fund My Classroom” initiative. Nearly 80 nominations were received statewide. Most grants were awarded during Teacher Appreciation Week from May 8-12. 

In a press release, Jessica Denham, regional director of Western Governors University, said, “We are so glad to once again be able to offer grant funding to deserving teachers across the state through our ‘Fund My Classroom’ initiative, and we were so moved by all the nominations we received. While we aren’t able to support all the projects that were nominated, we are excited to award funding to dozens of teachers who have come up with unique and innovative ways to improve their classrooms in order to promote learning and provide an enriching experience for their students.”

To learn more about the “Fund My Classroom” initiative and the work WGU is doing to help teachers advance their careers, visit wgu.edu.