District 95 teachers awarded

June 26, 2007

Just before the school year concluded, the District 95 Educational Foundation approved six grants for teacher innovation, as a part of its first funding initiative. Teaching staff were encouraged to apply for Teacher Innovation Grants in amounts up to $2500 for programs and resources that encouraged innovation in teaching over and above the level of any funding provided by the school district.

Those awarded grants included:

• Jack VanNoord, Middle School South social studies teacher, for a project combining history, linguistics, geography, archeology, art and problem-solving in which students will set up archeological dig sites that will be uncovered by students the following year.

• Tracy Albert, May Whitney art teacher, for headphones and microphones to use with Photo Story 3 software that will enable students to import their own pictures and music into a story board, while narrating the story with their own voices.

• Karen Jaffe, Middle School North drama teacher, for two digital camcorders and cables to enable students to record their dramatic performances and edit them into short films.

• Mary Dooms, Middle School South 7th grade teacher, for a program enabling students to create and operate a small business integrating literature, language arts, math and social studies.

• Riley Broach, Middle School North orchestra teacher, for music production equipment enabling students to create a fully produced album with composed music, which will be available to the public at the end of the school year.

• Justine Repplinger, Lake Zurich High School math teacher, for a wireless system connecting the students' graphing calculators to the teacher's computer, allowing instant communication between the teacher and individual students.

The Educational Foundation is an outgrowth of the school district's latest Strategic Plan. It is an independent, not-for-profit organization working with the district to support activities and enhance, enrich and supplement instructional opportunities for students.