Dysart Education Foundation Supports Teachers
Mini-grants support innovative learning experiences for Dysart studentsLaird Teacher Mini-Grant Program
The Dysart Education Foundation is proud to announce the Laird Teacher Mini Grants program is now open for our 2023-24 cycle of classroom grants for Dysart teachers. The grant cycle will close October 20, 2023 and grantees announced by end of October. See below for information about previous recipients of the Dysart Education Foundation mini-grants.
Any current Dysart teacher or group of teachers may apply for funds. The primary applicant should be the individual with the primary responsibility for executing the project and reporting the results to the Foundation Board.
Dysart Education Foundation mini-grants will be awarded for up to $2000 each and may involve one class or any combination of students and teachers. To be accepted, the grant applications must be approved by the teacher and the school principal. The Dysart Unified District Office will review each grant to ensure compatibility with district goals and curricula.
Grant applications must be generated using the approved application form. The review panel will select awards based on originality, professionalism, established need, benefits to students, student involvement, appropriate age level, and budget details. Each category is equally important. Recipients must submit a brief written report on their project to the DEF president within 30 days of the completion of the school year. Failure to submit a report within the time limit could result in loss of future mini-grant awards.
About Billie Laird
2023 Laird Teacher Mini Grant Applications
Billie Laird served as President of the Dysart Education Foundation for many years. Her passion to support teachers and provide as many funding opportunities as possible to support classrooms is unparalleled. Upon her retirement in May 2022, DEF Executive Board voted unanimously to rename the mini grant program to be now called the Laird Teacher Mini Grant Program in her honor.
Congratulations to all of our 2021 Mini-Grant Recipients!
Funded by Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE),
and City of Surprise Community Outreach Grant.
Arts Grants Funded by Russo Trust
Mini-Grant Awards Fall 2021
Mission Robotics 2021 and BEYOND: Roxanne Lopez, K-8 iExplore, Mountain View Elementary. Samsung tablets to replace outdated equipment will allow students to solve real world problems using robotics as well as compete in upcoming district and possibly state competitions.
Sensory Needs for Exceptional Scholars:Michele Gillespie and Nicole Shelley, Structured Teaching, Dysart Middle School.A variety of grade level appropriate sensory tools will help special needs students learn to the best of their abilities. These students benefit from hands on experiences and without sensory tools, are not able to self-regulate to focus and be engaged in their learning.
Reset Room: Tracy Smith, K-8, Luke Elementary. This request is for items to help create a room/space that can support students who need emotional regulation and coping skills.
Behavior Supports: Ashley Meyer, K-8 Resource, Rancho Gabriela. Materials and equipment purchased will be used in both the resource classroom and the general education classroom to help support students across classroom environments.
Increasing Math Comprehension: Heather Maddox, 7th Grade Math, West Point Elementary. A grade level license for the website IXL will help fill the gaps of 7th grade math students. IXL meets AZ Standards, is scaffolded by grade level, and can be used at home or at school.
Small Group Intervention Time: Theresa Malone, West Point Elementary. Eight child wobble stools are needed for a small group table to replace chairs that are too big. The wobble seats allow for fidgeting with limited noise and help some students focus.
Sensory and Flexibility: Sunny Watson, Special Education, Sonoran Heights. Students will have sensory items in a calming area to regulate their minds and bodies, supervised by the teacher to help coach them on calming strategies.
Kindermusik: Niki Trezzo, Kindergarten, El Mirage Elementary. El Mirage kindergarten students are currently participating in weekly Kindermusik classes with a reading teacher. They are speaking, listening, moving, playing instruments, and developing ideas for writing. Two additional teacher curriculum sets and instruments will expand the impact of this research-based program. This will allow classroom teachers to integrate Kindermusik songs and activities into students’ daily routines, maximizing language skills and social development.
Reinvest in Sound Quality: Kurwin Forrest, Band, Shadow Ridge High School. Funds will be used to upgrade mouthpieces for student instruments. This will allow students greater flexibility in sound production over mass produced mouth pieces that come with student line instruments.
Replace Keyboards: Nicole Truitt, Music, West Point Elementary. Seven keyboards that have missing or broken keys, having been used by thousands of students over the years, will be replaced along with 22 headphones.
Microphones and Sound Editing Website: Heather Featherstone, Music, Mountain View Elementary. Special microphones and a website license will provide student the opportunity to research their topic, write a script, and create advertisements to “support their podcast”. Students will use Soundtrap to record their podcast and edit the recording.
Flip It Into Shape In Music: Taylor Ingro, Music, El Mirage Elementary. FlipFORMS can easily be changed to a flat platform, tiered seating, risers, or room dividers. FlipFORMs work separately or can be pushed together to create a stage for performers and also roll out of the way. This new furniture will be used every day as flexible seating in music class or on stage during a performance.
Paper and Paper Cutter: Sara Mendoza, Art, Rancho Gabriela. Funds will be used to replace a broken paper cutter that can be used by the art teacher to prepare art projects.
Flute Air Training From Beginners to Pros: Reagan Hofeling, Band, Mountain View Elementary. Purchase of a Pneumo Pro will provide a visual aid for flute students to see exactly where to direct their air. Improving the embouchure and air direction of beginning flute players to improve overall tone will ultimately increase student interest and retention in the music program.
Guitar Heroes: Diana Richardson, Music, Surprise Elementary. Additional guitars, to be used in grades 5-8, will result in an increase in the number of students who are able to learn fundamentals and take the guitar as an elective this year and in years to come.
Paradise in Music Desert: Freddy Bedolla, Music, Riverview Elementary. Students will be utilizing ukuleles, silver bells, and pan flutes and learning about instruments from around the world to create and play melodies during class, for school sponsored programs, for district sponsored events, and community activities.
Mini-Grant Awards Spring 2021