PEYTON, Colo. (Nov. 9, 2012) – Twenty-three teachers earned nearly $20,000 in grant dollars for a variety of classroom projects from the Falcon Education Foundation. More accessible music equipment, an aquaponics lab and community gardening are some of the unique programs and projects to benefit students thanks to the grant dollars.

The Falcon Education Foundation helps teachers, administrators and support staff fund special projects that would not be possible through the traditional school budget. The foundation is dedicated to supporting and funding projects that are innovative, creative, and inspire thinking outside the box.

The grant winners were recognized Nov. 8 by district leaders and community members during a monthly Board of Education meeting.

The following District 49 educators won a grant award for an innovative project:

• Debbie Hoehn – Evans International Elementary School - $979 for Wiggle… Wiggle… Learn
• Sandy Lamb – Odyssey Elementary School - $978 for Science Backpacks
• Moreen Whitson – Odyssey Elementary School - $137 for Math Made Easy with a Rekenrek
• Michelle Patchen – Remington Elementary School - $969 for Wiggle Room
• Angela Mullen – Ridgeview Elementary School - $922 for Evolution of the Desk
• Brooke Austermiller – Ridgeview Elementary School - $1,000 for ArchiTECH Building the Way to the Future
• Kim O’Conner – Ridgeview Elementary School - $781 for Pixie Epals
• Erin McGovern – Stetson Elementary School - $1,320 for Progress Monitoring Preschool Students with Technology
• Laurie Hildebrand – Stetson Elementary School - $781 for Pixie Epals
• Mike Nowling/Laurie Hildebrand – Stetson Elementary School - $500 for We Love Landscaping our Hidden Treasure
• Matt Monfre – Stetson Elementary School - $714 for Zebulon Pike Pathfinders
• Kendra Ramirez – Falcon Middle School - $210 for Blockus Problem Solving
• Willam Yerger – Skyview Middle School - $922 for Emergency Medical Unit and $990 for Science Engineering Kit
• Stephanie Perry-Hill – Skyview Middle School - $790 for Music Accessibility for All
• Thomas Russell – Falcon High School - $540 for SEMTech Program
• Rochelle Kollhouse – Falcon Virtual Academy - $995 for Biological Investigation
• Taralyn Kearns – Falcon Virtual Academy - $1,114 for Lab Rat Resources
• Lori Hall – Falcon Virtual Academy - $724 for Digital Story Booking Using Glogster
• Paul Austin – Patriot Learning Center - $1,395 for Fish ‘n Veggies Aquaponics
• Elizabeth Dalzell-Wagers – Patriot Learning Center - $200 for Empowering, Invigorating, Inspiring
• Jessica Fruhwirth – Sand Creek High School - $1,000 for Sand Creek Garden
• Adriane Jasper – Sand Creek High School - $860 for Personal Paparazzi Project
• Jane Rogers – Vista Ridge High School - $1,000 for Looking Good, Feeling Confident and Dressed for Success

Attached photo: 

121108-601 -- Paul Austin, a science teacher in Falcon School District 49, receives a portion of nearly $20,000 in Falcon Education Foundation grants awarded Nov. 8 during a Board of Education meeting in Peyton, Colo. The District 49 Board of Education directors helped award 23 teachers who presented special classroom projects. The foundation supports ideas that are innovative, creative and inspirational.