2026 Teacher Grants

2026 KAREN SINDERS MEMORIAL APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Enhancing Gifted Math Education through a VEX Robotics Math Elective

Incorporates VEX IQ robotics materials in math AIG elective to provide additional engaging, hands-on STEM challenges that deepen mathematical reasoning, problem-solving, and engineering design skills.

Amount Awarded
$2,500.00

School
Lufkin Road Middle

Applicants
Heidi Oxendine

2026 Thomas P. Haynie Memorial APSF Teacher Grant

Collaborative and Creative Outdoor Learning Space

This project involves the design and construction of an outdoor creative learning space that will serve as a collaborative environment for students across multiple disciplines. The space will be designed and built by CTE Construction Core students, transforming an underutilized area—currently limited to a single table and four chairs—into a functional, inviting outdoor classroom and art studio.The new space will feature a ground-level deck with built-in seating, tables, benches, and planter boxes. Once construction is complete, Occupational Course of Study (OCS) students will take the lead in beautifying the space by planting and maintaining herbs, flowers, and greenery, applying horticultural and job-readiness skills. Visual Art students will further enrich the environment by creating murals, mosaics, and clay totems that reflect diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic expression.This project represents a true collaboration among Construction, Art, and OCS students—each group contributing their unique skills and perspectives. While the initial phase focuses on construction, the project is designed for longevity: the space will evolve over time as new students add their ideas, artwork, and care. Ultimately, it will become a lasting symbol of creativity, inclusion, and community connection—an outdoor environment where students learn, collaborate, and take pride in the space they helped build. 

Amount Awarded
$2,500.00

School
Middle Creek High

Applicants
Ashley Peay-Bettini, Douglas Juris

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Rain or Shine, We've Got You Covered!

This project supports the work of the Student Safety Patrol team by ensuring they can continue to serve their peers effectively in all weather conditions.

Amount Awarded
$1,096.26

School
West Lake Elementary

Applicants
Kimberly Hefelfinger

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

School Specialist Star Spots/Calm Corners

The project equips the art and music classrooms with Calm Corners containing evidence-based sensory tools. These spaces support emotional regulation, performance anxiety, and sensory needs so students can return to instruction more effectively.

Amount Awarded
$2,400.00

School
Apex Friendship Elementary

Applicants
Jenni Sonstroem, Erin McConnell

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Gardening, Composting, and Recycling

This project engages special education students and their peer partners in a composting and gardening project for a hands on learning experiences about how to sustain our environment.

Amount Awarded
$874.59

School
West Lake Middle

Applicants
Mimi Blackwelder

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Zen Den - A Mental Wellness Space for Students in Need

Establishes a sensory-friendly “Zen Den” where students can decompress and regulate emotions in a quiet, safe, supervised setting. The goal is to promote mental wellness, reduce stress, and help students return to their classrooms ready to engage and succeed.

Amount Awarded
$500.00

School
Felton Grove High

Applicants
Kathy Hines, Jennifer Larsen-Neumann

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Everyday Innovators: Hands-On STEM with Makey Makey

Provides Makey Makey kits for hands-on STEM learning, encouraging coding, design thinking, and creative expression. Kits will be integrated across science, math, art, music, English, CTE, and special education.

Amount Awarded
$1,600.00

School
Middle Creek High

Applicants
Alison DiOrio, Laurel Sumner

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Inquiry Labs and Activities in Forensic Science

Provides equipment to complete PCR and electrophoresis processes during inquiry labs and activities during Forensic Science class. Students will learn about entomology through a discovery kit with preserved specimens, forensic botany and DNA fingerprinting techniques.

Amount Awarded
$2,286.38

School
Apex Friendship High

Applicants
Nancy Cattrell

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Light the World with Literacy

Establishes an annual International Literacy Week program aimed at promoting literacy and enriching the curriculum for students.

Amount Awarded
$2,500.00

School
Pleasant Plains Elementary

Applicants
Angela Ranous, Gina Winemiller

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Reading the World: Building Bridges Through Diverse Books

Expands 3rd grade classroom libraries with high-quality, culturally responsive books that reflect the diversity of our students and the world around them. By integrating real-world texts that represent a variety of cultures, experiences, and voices, we aim to cultivate empathy, curiosity, and critical thinking in young readers.

Amount Awarded
$2,064.22

School
Olive Chapel Elementary

Applicants
Camille Riedinger

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Sensory Success

Provides flexible seating and sensory tools to support self-regulation and engagement for students with sensory and attention needs.

Amount Awarded
$812.75

School
Laurel Park Elementary

Applicants
Alison Wynn

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Family Science Festival

A large Family Science Festival featuring STEM activities and hands-on experiments designed to engage students and encourage families to explore science together.  

Amount Awarded
$2,250.00

School
Apex ELementary

Applicants
Jill Shea, Michelle McDaniel

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Increasing Student Voice Using Makey Makey Designs

This project will provide Makey Makey kits to support second grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade students with providing their voice to presentations of their learning.

Amount Awarded
$2,126.32

School
Salem Elementary

Applicants
Brandon Mize

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Cougars for Literacy: The BFF (Books for Families) Program

Provides themed book bundles for families to check out and use at home, strengthening at-home literacy practice and home–school connections.

Amount Awarded
$1,816.00

School
Apex Elementary

Applicants
Hannah Wilson

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Orff Ensembles in the Elementary Music Classroom

Expands the inventory of barred Orff instruments to allow more students hands-on practice in ensemble music-making, improving coordination, literacy, and musicianship. Teaching music through Orff ensembles increases student engagement and collaboration, as students must work together through the process of learning the music with their small group and be able to transfer their knowledge.

Amount Awarded
$2,406.76

School
Laurel Park Elementary

Applicants
Mary-Elizabeth Thompson

2026 APSF TEACHER GRANT RECIPIENT

Vertical Learning Instructional Tool

This project provides teachers across the school with reusable vertical learning surfaces to support the instructional model described in Building Thinking Classrooms. Vertical learning boosts student engagement, collaboration, and reasoning by allowing students to work in teams on non-permanent surfaces.

Amount Awarded
$2,461.92

School
Scotts Ridge Elementary

Applicants
Courtney Beickert