Teacher Innovator Grant - Kim Conder

Our Community Foundation has announced the recipients of the second-semester Teaching Innovator Grants. Washington Community Schools received a $250 grant to support “That’s Not My Monster.  Washington Elementary Art Teacher, Kim Conder, accepted the award and was named a Teaching Innovator.

 This project will enable students to have a cross-grade collaborative art experience designed to foster creativity, artistic expression, and community engagement through hands-on learning. Inspired by the children’s book “That’s Not My Monster” by Fiona Watt, first-grade art students will design imaginative monster characters. These original drawings will be shared with upper elementary art students who will interpret and recreate the designs as three-dimensional stuffed creatures using felt, thread, and basic sewing techniques.

Conder states that pairing older and younger students helps build relationships across grade levels, encouraging empathy, mentorship, and teamwork. Older students develop leadership and responsibility, while younger students experience the excitement of seeing their artwork valued and brought to life by their peers. The finished monsters will be displayed in a school or community art show.