Snowy Peaks middle/high school from left: Paul Finkel, EFS director; Mindy Regner, Snowy Peaks teacher, and Kendal Vaille, PTSO president. Mindy is bringing yoga and mental health to all Snowy Peaks students.

With help from the Eileen Finkel Innovative Teacher Awards, students will be growing vegetables, building virtual worlds, welcoming the zoo to their school, playing with sand and tools while learning STEM, and learning how to custom-mold ski boots. These are just a few examples of teachers’ creative ideas funded by the Education Foundation of the Summit, in partnership with each schools’ parent-teacher organizations. The teacher grants have funded teachers’ ideas since 2011.

Hollyanna Bates, Dillon Valley Elementary (DVE) first grade teacher, requested funds to bring the Cheyenne Zoo to her students. The visit is tailored to curriculum standards for the Feathers, Scales and Fur unit. Students can touch the animals that are part of the presentation. “Many of our students have not visited a zoo and this grant provides a close-up experience with animals they have never seen,” Hollyanna said. 

Meanwhile, Kendra Carpenter, DVE principal, is expanding usage of video equipment funded last year from the grant. Kendra requested equipment for remote learning to amplify teachers’ voices while streaming classes to students at home, as well as webcams to increase visibility of the whiteboard. She reported that quality video helped students’ engagement when they were learning from home.  DVE continues to use the technology to support teacher professional development. 

During the pandemic, many requests revolve around remote and physically-distanced learning. Bonnie Ward, vice chairperson of Education Foundation of the Summit (EFS), said “We’ve been impressed with the resilience and flexibility of teachers as they continue adapting to new learning environments.”

Summit Cove Elementary PE teacher, Amanda O’Keefe, requested funds for grade-level recess equipment. She said, “Providing each grade-level with their own set of playground equipment can help students stay active during recess. Students can learn to use the equipment properly and care for it, and teachers can encourage appropriate game play.”

Last year, construction tech and welding’s Oakley Van Oss obtained more helmets and tools so that students wouldn’t have to share and potentially cross-contaminate. Students appreciated the respite Oakley’s classes provided, where they could be creative and solve problems. They got their hands working and their minds focused. This year, Oakley and Caroline Hesford, director of choirs, piano and theatre, are upgrading the storage shed. They wrote, “Currently the shed is losing its structural integrity, is unsightly and totally disorganized. With students doing much of the labor, this will be a wonderful learning opportunity, will streamline future projects, and will serve as an example of how we like things to be here at SHS.”

The awards are typically presented to teachers by several EFS directors, the PTA president, and the principal during a brief visit to their classroom.  “It’s always a mini-celebration when we present the awards. The teachers are so appreciative and they really deserve the recognition,” said Paul.

Each fall, teachers request support for their innovative and creative ideas from EFS through the Eileen Finkel Innovative Teacher Awards. Principals and PTA presidents, while helping review requests, will add on other support such as volunteers from the PTA or materials the principal can provide. The awards are made possible through Parent-Teacher Organizations at each school and other generous sponsors. 

For a complete list of the awards click here. 

Breckenridge Elementary, from left: Jenny Alford PTSA president; Paul Finkel; Ainsley Gourlay, fifth grade teacher; Ann-Mari Westerhoff, principal. Ainsley is bringing Accessible Math Journals to her class.
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