QCES Foundation awards $10,000 in first round of teacher grants for 16 projects

QUINCY — The Quincy Catholic Elementary Schools (QCES) Foundation has awarded $10,000 through its inaugural round of Teacher Grants, funding 16 creative and inspiring projects submitted by educators across Quincy’s four Catholic elementary schools – Blessed Sacrament, St. Dominic, St. Francis and St. Peter.

The funded projects include the development of a new art program, classroom book sets to expand and enrich learning, materials to allow students to act out Bible stories and bring Scripture to life, STEAM-based initiatives, and attendance at a professional development conference focused on supporting student mental health.

Funded Projects

• Allison Menz, Blessed Sacrament, PreK-8 STREAM Early Learner Lego Education kits $1,000
• Amber Hendrian, Blessed Sacrament, PK – 8th PE/Health New Sports, New Equipment (golf clubs) $750
• Beth Bozarth, Blessed Sacrament, 1st Flexible Seating for Kids $400
• Jennifer Arens (& Lori Moore), Blessed Sacrament, Prek 3 & Prek 4 Preschool Enrichment $500
• Jennifer Dickerman, Blessed Sacrament, 5-8th Social Studies Connecting Saints and History $250
• Jessica Foster, Blessed Sacrament, 5-8th Science Hands On Science (dissection frogs, owl pellets) $500
• Michelle Kerkhoff, Blessed Sacrament, Kindergarten Faith at Their Fingertips $500
• Mindy Richards, Blessed Sacrament, 5-8th Religion Great Adventure Bibles $1,000
• Becky Hoskins, St. Dominic, PK – 8th ART Hands on Visual Arts Lessons $1,000
• Jennifer Dyer, St. Dominic, 7th and 6-8 math Thinking Classroom magnetic white boards $500
• Christopher Holbrook, St. Francis, Physical Education Ultimate Scooter Scooter Boards for P.E. $120
• Shaun Carey, St. Francis, 6-8 Science/STEM End of Year STEM Projects (Egg Drop/Mousetrap Cars/Catapults $750
• Cheryl Sowell, St. Peter, 4th (2025-2026) ADHD Conference $1,000
• Lori Bertram, St. Peter, First/Religion Bible Story Re-enactments/Play $500
• Ryan Shinn, St. Peter, (PE) prek 3-8th Basketball For All $240
• Sandy Gallaher, St. Peter, Kindergarten Decidable readers $990

“This first round of applications showcased the remarkable creativity and dedication of our Catholic school teachers,” QCES Foundation board president Elizabeth Brown said in a press release. “Every proposal demonstrated just how deeply our educators care about creating meaningful and engaging learning environments for their students. We are thrilled to support these projects and look forward to seeing their impact unfold in classrooms across our schools.”

The QCES Foundation Teacher Grant Program was established this year to provide direct funding to teachers for classroom-level projects, materials, technology and professional development opportunities. Funding for this new program is made possible by the Louise Doyle Memorial Fund and the Maureen McLaughlin Schuering Endowed Fund, both established to honor the legacies of two beloved educators who were passionate about teaching and learning.