2025 Joy in Teaching Grant Recipients

I will use the grant to benefit elementary students in grades 3–5 by hosting a family STEAM night, which stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. STEAM builds curiosity, problem-solving skills, and confidence, while involving parents strengthens school-to-home connections. The activities will encourage critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and engagement, helping children learn how to think, not just what to think—making them curious, capable, and confident problem-solvers.

I am a special education teacher in a Cognitive Impairment (CI) classroom at Arrowwood Elementary in Saginaw Township. This grant will fund wobble chair feet for each student—adaptive tools that promote engagement, focus, emotional regulation, and independence by providing beneficial sensory input and gentle movement. These supports create a more inclusive, dynamic learning environment where every learner has the opportunity to thrive.

We are requesting a $500 mini-grant to get essential science materials and storage for our 6th and 7th graders, aligned with Michigan Science Standards and our OpenSciEd curriculum. Right now, our limited supplies and lack of storage make hands-on labs tricky and slow, and it can be tough to keep things safe and organized. With this grant, we could get a reusable lab starter kit—goggles, measurement tools, plastic beakers—and clear bins and drawer carts to keep everything in order. “Students need safe PPE, basic measurement tools, and labeled storage so we can sustain weekly investigation routines without disruptions.” These resources would let our students do more experiments, make labs safer, and help everyone get excited about science.

Last November, I returned to the high school I graduated from to teach, seeing it as my way of giving back to the community that shaped me. The funds from this grant would help me add finishing touches to my classroom, including Chromebook chargers for students, boxes of non-perishable snacks, and additional supplies like skin-toned crayons, scissors, and larger poster paper for history projects. I also need more notecards for AP United States History to help students prepare for the AP exam, and I plan to purchase a History Channel calendar for a daily history segment to further engage students in the subject.

Dyslexia affects about 1 in 5 students, impacting reading fluency, comprehension, and written expression. In my secondary special education resource classroom, many students need daily support to access grade-level curriculum and build independence. This grant would fund a Lending Library of assistive tools like electronic reading pens, reading overlays, digital magnifiers, a chromebook screen extender, and AI note-taking devices to support decoding, organization, and time management. These resources would be available for use in both special and general education classes, giving students equitable access, boosting confidence, and helping them develop lifelong learning strategies.

I am a first-year, second-grade teacher in Beaverton. I will use this grant to purchase an incubator for our class to hatch ducklings in the spring, along with supplies such as flashlights and starter feed. I joyfully remember doing this as an elementary student and want to help create a lasting memory for my second graders. This experience will teach them not only about the development of ducklings but also responsibility, care for animals, and pride in their work.

I plan to use the grant to purchase hard cover copies of the books that my Creative writing Seniors are currently writing so that they have a copy of the first actual book they have ever written. I am hoping it will encourage more students to join the class and it will help create a sense of pride in their accomplishment.

I teach a Certificate of Completion program for middle school students (6-8), incorporating life skills and daily living into our curriculum. We are fortunate to have a former Home Economics classroom with a stove, microwave, sinks, and refrigerator. The grant would fund additional kitchen equipment like cutting boards, air fryer, blenders, mixers, and other essentials to provide real-life cooking experiences. “We also run a classroom economy system where students receive a ‘paycheck’ and use funds to either save or make purchases from a classroom store,” and some grant funds would support this system.

As a high school science educator, it is clear that experiential and hands-on teaching is an effective way to impart STEM education and excitement for science. Last year, our forensic science class visited the Grand Rapids Forensic Science Laboratory, where students participated in a mock crime scene activity to apply their classroom knowledge in a practical setting. This grant would provide more opportunities for similar off-site experiences for our high school STEM students.

Social emotional learning (SEL) games help children develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making through activities like board games, card games, charades, and bingo. These games teach children to understand others’ feelings, practice taking turns, listening, cooperation, and conflict resolution, and identify different emotions. I have been a general education teacher for 25 years and am now earning my special education degree. As a resource room teacher, I would use grant funds to purchase games for my classroom, which would also be available to other teachers for incentive days, inside recess, or free time.

Teaching resource-level science is new for me and my students this year, and we are LOVING the journey! Science has sparked joy in my teaching and brought excitement to daily learning. We need resources that go beyond the general education classroom to make learning hands-on, safe, and engaging for students with learning differences. This grant would help outfit my classroom for experiments, provide materials for regular student use, and transform my classroom into a science lab.

This grant would allow my high school biology and anatomy students to explore science through hands-on investigations using a Vernier Go Direct® SpectroVis® Plus Spectrophotometer. “This tool measures light absorption and transmittance, allowing students to collect precise data” for experiments in photosynthesis, enzyme activity, water quality, and DNA or protein concentration. Students can connect classroom concepts to real-world applications, deepening understanding while building critical thinking and data analysis skills. The spectrophotometer will also support students competing in the Flint Regional Science and Engineering Fair, giving them access to advanced, college-level instrumentation to strengthen their research and inspire scientific curiosity.

The purpose of this grant is to support hands-on learning in the Intro to Drones course by funding a DJI Flip drone. This course introduces students to UAS fundamentals, flight operations, and safety as they work toward FAA Part 107 certification. The flip drone will enhance learning by providing new flight perspectives and opportunities in aerial photography and video, with hopes of using footage in our weekly news broadcast. The goal is to develop essential skills for careers in drone operations, aerial photography, and emerging UAS industries.

A $500 grant would be used to purchase new classroom books for our novel studies, replacing sets that are worn from years of daily use by about 75 students. We would also buy book covers to help the new books last longer. Having extra copies would allow students who are absent or need more time to read to stay caught up and fully participate in our novel studies.

I will use the grant to benefit my classroom for 50 new paperback copies of our first novel, Walk Two Moons. The books were are using currently are tattered, torn, and falling apart daily. They are roughly 9 years old and have been used by 5 different teachers (Approximately 750 students) I hot glue and duct tape roughly 10 books a day, every single day. This continues on for the first two months of school, until we finish the novel.

I plan to use the grant to support teachers and students in our primary building in the area of math. “Students are successful when learning is conceptual and hands-on,” and I support tier one instruction as well as interventions. The grant would fund supplies like dice, ten frame decks, bead racks, games, dry erase boards, and materials for Math Recovery to help teachers meet varying student needs. By providing these resources, we can increase engagement and achievement across our school.

We are creating a student-run business that designs and sells t-shirts, water bottle stickers, and school spirit wear to build school pride and raise funds. Our goals are to promote school spirit, provide affordable student-designed merchandise, teach real-world business, marketing, and teamwork skills, and generate profits to reinvest in the business or support student activities. This new course allows students to practice graphic design, marketing, and financial management using graphic design and screen print technology. Funding would help bring their ideas to life, giving them the materials and tools to grow and expand their student-led business.

This grant will provide Chompsaw Cardboard Cutters so students can safely and effectively cut and shape cardboard for hands-on STEM projects. With these tools, students can design, build, and test prototypes that connect to science, math, and engineering concepts. The reusable cutters will benefit multiple classes over time providing equitable access for both general education and special needs students.

I’m Bethany Giddens, a Physical Education teacher at Heritage High School. This grant will help us replace worn equipment to promote active participation, teamwork, and lifelong fitness. New supplies will ensure all students have safe, inclusive, and engaging opportunities to build skills and confidence in physical activity.

I am a 9th–12th grade teacher in a self-contained classroom for students with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities, and I also run the Peer to Peer program. This program pairs general education students with my students to create natural social opportunities and inclusive experiences. With this grant, we would purchase a color printer, ink, cardstock, lamination materials, and a camera. These materials would help us create visuals and schedules to support our students’ success in general education classes and capture the lasting friendships that show we all belong.

I teach special education to our cognitively impaired students and many of them come from low income families. Because of this, many of their basic needs are not met. We do have the Charger Closet where students can get clothes if needed, but sometimes items such as bras or underwear are hard to find. I would like to use this grant to help my students have their basic needs met which will allow them to better focus on school while they are here.

As a teacher of reading and writing, I know how essential it is for students to have books that match their reading abilities and interests. This can be challenging for students whose reading levels are lower but whose interests align with their peers. Audiobooks let them listen while following along, engaging with the same books without decoding difficulties. However, they can be costly to access, and building a classroom audiobook library with devices requires significant expense. A $500 grant would help offset these startup costs and make this resource accessible to all students.

Numbers can be scary unless you turn them into a game! In our severe special education classroom, my students are eager to learn, but worksheets only get us so far. We want to bring in fun, hands-on math games that will spark laughter, boost confidence, and sneak in some serious skills along the way. Your grant doesn't just buy math games and manipulatives, it buys brighter smiles, bigger aha! moments, and a lot fewer groans when math time rolls around. Become a Math Hero today cape optional! Thank you for your kindness! It means the world to us.

As a preschool teacher, I, Ms. Julia, dream of giving my students the chance to see how strong, capable, and special they are. Gross motor toys like stepping stones and a balance beam help them practice balance, movement, and trust in themselves and their cheering community. Fine motor toys build the strength and confidence they need for writing, cutting, and entering kindergarten ready to learn. For many students, school is their safe place, and these materials help them build not just muscles, but courage, joy, and belief in their own bright futures.

Students will raise chicks and butterflies in the classroom to learn about life cycles, responsibility, and empathy. To connect science with civics, the class will hold a mock election to choose a student assistant who helps care for the animals. This hands-on project fosters curiosity, teamwork, and civic engagement while preparing students to be responsible community members.

I plan to use the grant to support our Duckling Teacher Assistant project, where students hatch and raise ducklings to learn about life cycles, adaptations, and responsibility. The project integrates STEM, literacy, and civic engagement, with students researching breeds, writing persuasive essays, and holding a mock election. Funds will provide incubation supplies, science journals, and materials for service projects. “This hands-on experience fosters curiosity, collaboration, and joy in learning

I would utilize the grant to support my classroom store. This store has been very beneficial in my classroom. My students earn coins by completing their "jobs". They earn 5 cents for completing their worksheets and returning their folders. There are many ways they earn money. They then exchange their money or spend it in the classroom store. The students can exchange two nickels for a dime, 100 cents for a dollar etc. Second grade has a lot of money in the math curriculum. This helps with identifying coins, behaviors, and life lessons related to saving money for larger items. This money would help with buying items, as I currently pay for them out of pocket.

I plan to use this grant to help supplement my school's SEL (Social Emotional Learning) program. We would use the money to purchase board games, Legos, incentives for our Recognition Rallies and sponsor a guest speaker to come in and talk to our students during our Recognition Rally time.

I started teaching elementary music at McCollough Elementary in September. While we have many drums, we lack other instruments from our World Music Drumming curriculum. We would love to purchase talking drums, shekeres, and additional bells to round out the ensemble. “Being able to separate the sounds that we are hearing teaches students how to listen to different things happening within an ensemble,” preparing them for future musical experiences in middle school.

This funding would support the growing needs of our neurodiverse preschool students, many of whom have increased sensory needs that impact their ability to regulate emotions and be ready to learn. Sensory and calming tools like noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, weighted lap pads, sensory bins, and flexible seating will provide options for sensory input and exploration. “This will foster improved self-regulation, increase classroom participation, and promote better social-emotional development,” creating a more accessible learning environment for all preschoolers.

My classroom started the year a week late due to mold damage that ruined many supplies and learning materials. While some furniture was replaced, mismatched items and a lack of age-appropriate toys left the room incomplete. This grant would help replace damaged materials, add toys that encourage cooperative play and fine motor skills, and provide organizational items to create a warm, welcoming, and engaging environment for my students.

I will use this grant to purchase new classroom books, spare clothes, and winter necessities for children who are coming into school without them.

This grant will be used to purchase high-quality, interactive storytelling kits and books for my early childhood special education classroom. My students, ages 2.5–5, have speech and language delays, and many also have autism, ADHD, or other eligibilities, so engagement is key to meaningful learning. Storytelling kits for books like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and The Very Hungry Caterpillar include props and visual supports that make literacy hands-on, support comprehension, and foster participation for all learners. “These interactive elements will bring books to life” and help students, including those using AAC, build communication and comprehension skills. If funding allows, I also plan to add mindfulness and social-emotional learning tools to support self-regulation and turn-taking.

I would like to purchase a high-top table with 4 chairs to add to my high school classroom- this would allow for more collaborative group projects and more seating options than the standard desk. Students would truly enjoy the opportunity to work together in a standing (with stools) high top table as they spend so much of their day sitting in a desk. Thank you!

This proposal seeks funding for a Q-Ball, a throwable wireless microphone designed for classrooms. The Q-Ball will make learning more engaging, encourage active participation, and ensure every student’s voice is heard. By integrating it into daily instruction, students will strengthen literacy, communication, math, and critical thinking skills in a fun, interactive way. The Q-Ball will foster an engaging, inclusive classroom environment that amplifies student voices and supports academic growth. With this tool, our 4th graders will be better equipped to participate, collaborate, and succeed across all subject areas.

This project will enhance our 8th grade history curriculum by providing each student with Everything You Need to Ace U.S. History and Everything You Need to Ace World History, 2nd Edition. While our current materials offer rich storytelling, students need an accessible, well-organized supplement to reinforce key concepts. “The Big Fat Notebook series is designed for middle school learners, with concise explanations, timelines, diagrams, and study aids” that support diverse learning styles, English language learners, and advanced students. Grant funding would provide personal copies for each student to annotate and use at home, increasing ownership of their learning and improving comprehension, retention, and engagement.

I am a K–2 special education teacher at Westdale Elementary in Saginaw, Michigan, with 20 years of experience. This grant would allow me to provide each student with wobble chair feet, increasing engagement, performance, and overall success. Research shows movement-based seating improves on-task behavior, strengthens posture, and helps students self-regulate through vestibular and proprioceptive input. The wobble feet provide a non-stigmatizing support that benefits all students, not just those with IEPs. “Students themselves report feeling calmer and more comfortable when they can move,” while teachers notice improved focus and participation.

With this grant, I plan to purchase new Mayco Jungle Gems glazes for our clay program, allowing students to experiment with specialty finishes and expand their creativity. I will also invest in tile and glass cutters for safe, high-quality mosaic projects in Handcrafted Arts. Finally, essential stained glass supplies like copper foil, lead came, solder, and flux will let students explore this unique medium, broadening their artistic experience and exposure.

We plan to purchase a class set of Roland T-8 sound modules, hands-on beat-makers that help students learn and develop skills in DJing, beatmaking, music production, and sound design. Our Music Technology class, started in winter 2024, is expanding to 7th and 8th grades, with every student taking at least one quarter starting winter 2025. “Compared to other devices, this one feels very approachable,” making it ideal for younger students as they begin exploring sound equipment.

I plan to use the grant to purchase a HoverCam Orbit Air 5?GHz Wireless Document Camera for my classroom. This HoverCam will make textbooks come alive by projecting assignments on the Smartboard, allowing students to write on it for everyone to see, giving hands-on experience and instant feedback. It will help special needs students follow along without one-on-one support and allow advanced students to create activities to extend their learning and share with the class. This camera would benefit my classroom every day.