Area educators receive grants from GAR Foundation for classroom-based projects

Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
Dances performed by Nepali students from Akron Public Schools' North High School as part of an EIG project, the Kaleidoscope Cultural Fair at Hudson High School.
Dances performed by Nepali students from Akron Public Schools' North High School as part of an EIG project, the Kaleidoscope Cultural Fair at Hudson High School.

The GAR Foundation has announced $350,000 in funding to 47 teams of educators through its annual Educator Initiative Grant (EIG) program.

The EIG program offers grants to K-12 educators in Summit County’s public and nonprofit private schools who present classroom innovations to support student success. More than $6 million has been deployed into local classrooms since the inception of the Educator Initiative Grant program in 2004.

“We’re proud to continue supporting classroom teachers in Summit County with the EIG program,” said Kirstin Toth, senior vice president of GAR Foundation. “We received a record number of applications- and there were so many fantastic ideas submitted. Our Evaluation Team did an amazing job of selecting from a very strong field of projects.”

Many projects focus not only on academic achievement, but also helping students with social-emotional learning. These crucial skills, such as regulating emotions and establishing strong relationships, are essential to success in school and beyond.

“We are so proud of the work teachers put in to developing these concepts this past year, especially with so much on their plates. The projects that came forward are truly cutting edge,” said Lucille Esposito, EIG program manager for GAR Foundation.

A reception honored the 47 teachers or teaching teams who were awarded the grants who can receive up to $10,000 to implement their projects over the coming academic year.

The schools and projects receiving support this year include:

Archbishop Hoban High School

  • Hoban’s Ecosystem of Excellence, $6,970

  • Escape from Trig Island Year II, $4,800

  • Mindfulness Through Iconography Year II, $1,280

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy

  • The Even Bigger Read, $5,330

  • Cultivating a Growing Mindset, $8,320

Hudson City Schools

  • East Woods Intermediate School: Ohio’s History: Is Conflict Always Bad 2, $1,790

  • Hudson High School: Kaleidoscope Leadership Conference, $9,780

Walsh Jesuit High School

  • Walking at the Speed of Light Through the Solar System, $9,850

  • Walking in the Footsteps of St. Ignatius Loyola, $9,600

  • Bring Back the Monarch III!, $3,610

For details, contact Lucille Esposito, EIG Program Manager, espolucille@gmail.com or 330-550-6661.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Classroom projects get financial assist from GAR Foundation