Our Community Foundation Awards Second-Semester Teaching Innovator Grant

Our Community Foundation has announced the second of fifteen second-semester Teaching Innovator grant recipients. Washington Upper Elementary received a $250 grant to support Sweet Steps – Transforming Art into Real World, where students will learn about the artistic process from concept to creation. Washington Upper Elementary Art Teaching Innovator Kimberly Conder and Principal Rhiannon Frye accepted the award.

Conder states that this project aims to empower young creators, boost their confidence, and inspire future careers in art and design. While students are often full of creativity and ideas, they lack the resources to see their concepts materialize beyond paper. The Sweet Steps project will address this gap by providing the materials and mentorship needed to turn their shoe designs into real tangible projects.

According to Condor, seeing their concepts transform enforces that they can impact the world and community around them. This in turn boosts their confidence and empowers them to make future contributions. The Foundation conducted the competitive grant program during November and December, inviting Daviess County educators to apply for resources for the second semester of 2024-25 projects. The Foundation’s Administrative Fund provided funding.

“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.”