Our Community Foundation Awards Fall Semester Teaching Innovator Grant

L-R Brenda Meredith, Carol Nugent, Kristen Murphy, Britnye Ponce, Paula Jones, Joe Wellman, Chris Jarrett, Kevin Frank

Our Community Foundation has announced the recipients of the Teaching Innovator Grant for the fall semester projects. Washington Community Schools received a $250 grant to support the Habla y Juega Project. Britnye Ponce accepted the award and was named a Teaching Innovator. 

The Habla y Juega (Play and Talk) Project introduces a dramatic play area specifically designed to foster oracy skills in Spanish. Unlike traditional classroom activities that focus on structured dialogue, this space encourages improvisation and role-play. The project integrates language learning with dramatic arts and is a multi-sensory experience that supports diverse learning styles while providing culturally relevant, real-world contexts for language use that help students internalize vocabulary and structure more naturally. 

Ponce states that “through purposeful, play-based experiences in Spanish, students will develop strong oracy skills, build intercultural competence, and enhance critical thinking and empathy.” The Foundation conducted its competitive grant program from May to August, inviting Daviess County educators to apply for resources for the first semester of the 2025-26 projects. The Foundation’s Administrative Fund provided funding for this program.

“This program makes a strategic investment in the education of Daviess County youth,” says Travis Schaffer, Foundation Board President. “The funding empowers educators to be innovators and create dynamic learning environments that meet the diverse needs of students, so our Daviess County youth are better prepared for success in our ever-changing world.” Our Community Foundation is proud to support innovative teaching methods in all our area schools. We appreciate the generosity of our donors, who made this grant possible.