Empowering Educators: 2025 Classroom Education Grant Recipients

The Community Foundation is pleased to announce 20 recipients of the 2025 Classroom Education Grants. Totaling $15,149, these grants allow teachers and administrators seeking funding to implement a project in their classroom that is innovative, designed to stimulate learning and helps the educator meet state standards. This year’s applicants dreamed big, and the Community Foundation is eager to see how funding will impact classrooms across Huntington County.  

Huntington Catholic School: $1,700 Awarded 

Bright Minds, Busy Hands Preschool Exploration Stations—Huntington Catholic School teacher, Jami Eckert, received a grant to implement ‘Bright Minds, Busy Hands’ preschool exploration stations, which will expand hands-on learning opportunities in the preschool classroom. Station items will include storage cabinets, alphabet activities, sand and water tables, STEM toys, games and more. The stations will promote fine motor development, early literacy, sensory play, STEM learning and dramatic play. The grant was sponsored by the Matt & Karissa Ditzler Family Community Fund and the John & Patricia Ditzler Community Fund.  

Classroom Headphones—Huntington Catholic School teacher, Kristine Call, was awarded a grant to purchase a classroom set of headphones, ensuring all students have access to ILEARN testing and online learning activities. This will remove financial barriers and provide for students whose headphones are lost or damaged. 

Securing Supplies for Success—Huntington Catholic School teacher, Amber Nevius, received a grant for storage area upgrades and the installation of new metal cabinets that meet current fire code regulations. This ensures classroom materials, such as educational games and art supplies, are safely and efficiently stored, keeping pathways clear and supporting a compliant learning environment.  

Hands-on Science & Reading Activities—Huntington Catholic School teacher, Jackie Thomas, was awarded a grant to purchase materials that enhance 4th grade Science and Reading curriculum. Reading materials and hands-on activities and experiments will give students practical learning experiences and foster a life-long love of science and reading. The grant was sponsored by the Donald & Lou Rayne Scheiber Community Fund and the Philip & Jackie Karst Family Community Fund. 

PE Parachute—Huntington Catholic School teacher, Denise Harrell, received a grant to purchase a parachute for the PE department which will provide a fun, cooperative activity that promotes teamwork, coordination and upper-body strength. Students will have more opportunities for inclusive, engaging play that encourages active participation and supports lifelong fitness. The grant was sponsored by the James & Regina Ditzler Community Fund and the John & Rachel Nelson Family Community Fund. 

Andrews Elementary School: $1,375 Awarded 

Outdoor Recess Activities—Andrews Elementary School teacher, Blake Childs, was awarded a grant to purchase new soccer goals and a tetherball set. Soccer goals will encourage physical activity, teach teamwork and sportsmanship, and improve balance, agility and coordination. Tetherball adds a fast-paced, fun option that develops hand-eye coordination, reflex timing and social skills. These additions will help students burn off energy and return to class more focused after enjoying an engaging recess experience. The grant was generously sponsored by the Hiner Family Community Fund. 

Classroom Gathering Rug—Andrews Elementary School teacher, Jenny Elliott received a grant to purchase a high-quality classroom rug that will support early learning and create a welcoming environment for kindergarten students for years to come. The rug will be used daily for phonics lessons, reading time, math activities and group learning. The colorful rug will provide a comfortable, structured space for students to sit, move and engage. Featuring bright colors, shapes, uppercase and lowercase letters, the rug will also allow for interactive literacy and math games.  

Horace Mann Elementary School: $2,949 Awarded 

Making Music with Hand Chimes—Horace Mann Elementary School teacher, Jeanne Paff, was awarded a grant to expand music opportunities for students of all abilities and skill levels, by providing a set of hand chimes for classroom use. Within its first year, the newly formed handbell choir has tripled in size, giving many students a place to belong and thrive. Playing music together helps support students’ emotional well-being, build neural pathways and create a sense of belonging. Plus, the hand chimes are accessible to students with varying levels of fine motor skills, giving every child the chance to make music, collaborate with peers and experience the joy and accomplishment of performing together. The grant was generously sponsored by the James & Nancy Breiner Community Fund and the Paul Family Community Fund. 

Bikes, Bones & Bands—Horace Mann Elementary School teacher, Amy Degitz, received a grant to enhance physical education by providing balance bikes, jump bands, a skeletal model and muscle puzzle. Balance bikes will be used by kindergarten and 1st grade students to develop balance and coordination – foundational skills for learning to ride a bike without training wheels. Jump bands will allow 4th and 5th graders to create and demonstrate rhythmic routines using correct rhythm and patterns. The bands also foster teamwork and problem-solving skills. The skeletal model and muscle puzzle will support all grades in the body systems unit, helping students visualize and understand the structure and function of the muscular and skeletal systems. The grant was generously sponsored by the First Federal Savings Bank Community Fund, the Dean & Anne Stonebraker Community Fund, and an Anonymous Community Fund. 

Salamonie Elementary School: $3,807 Awarded 

Cool Tools in Our School—Salamonie Elementary School counselor, Melinda Huber, was awarded a grant to support the academic, social and emotional growth of students by providing every classroom with a ‘Cool Tool Kit’. These kits will include simple, research-based tools such as stress balls, sensory items, visual aids, breathing cards and other calming strategies that empower students to self-regulate their emotions. These kits foster independence, build coping skills and create a calmer, more positive classroom environment. Students will learn that it’s okay to pause and reset, improving focus, participation and social-emotional development. The initiative also supports teachers by reducing behavioral disruptions, allowing more instructional time and promoting stronger connections with students. The grant included $1,493 from the Dadd/Decker Fund and was generously sponsored by the Daugherty Family Community Fund and the Jim & Linda Howell Community Fund. 

Red Thunder Drumline—Salamonie Elementary School teacher, Christina Keown, received a grant to support the Red Thunder Drumline, a new program that uses music to foster leadership, teamwork and community engagement for 4th and 5th grade students. The ensemble teaches discipline, responsibility and collaboration through marching and concert percussion while providing opportunities to perform at school assemblies, athletic events, parades and community celebrations. Grant funding will aid in the purchase of drums and harnesses, giving students reliable instruments for rehearsals and performances. The grant included $314 from the Huntington Jaycees, Inc. Fund.  

Lincoln Elementary School: $937 Awarded 

Story Time: A Listening & Speaking Center for EL Success—Lincoln Elementary School teacher, Annette Little, was awarded a grant to enhance listening and speaking skills in the English Learner (EL) classroom through a Toniebox audio system and felt storytelling boards. The Toniebox provides high-quality audio stories and songs, supporting vocabulary development, listening comprehension, phonological awareness and early literacy skills. Felt storytelling boards complement this by giving students a hands-on visual way to retell stories, practice descriptive language and build confidence in speaking. Together, these tools create a cycle of listening, comprehension and speaking that engages students and fosters independence, creativity and collaboration. By integrating these tools, students will be able to listen to a story, comprehend its events and retell it using visuals, creating a powerful cycle of listening, speaking and comprehension. The grant was generously sponsored by the following Community Funds: Stephen & Alyce Zahn Community Fund, Groff Eberhart Community Fund, Bippus State Bank Community Fund. 

St. Paul’s Child Care Ministry: $548 Awarded 

St. Paul’s Child Care Ministry received a grant to create a more organized and inviting reading corner by adding additional storage. This long-standing children’s ministry has served local families for over 28 years. The improved space will offer children a relaxed, safe place to read while strengthening literacy skills and supporting emotional well-being. 

Trinity United Methodist Preschool: $500 Awarded 

Trinity United Methodist Preschool was awarded a grant to purchase a jumbo indoor gym. The gym will enhance creative, open-ended play while strengthening gross motor skills, balance, coordination and independent play development. This will offer a safe, engaging option for indoor movement and promote both dexterity and creativity. This addition will further support their mission of providing a nurturing, faith-based early learning experience for local children. The grant was generously sponsored by the following Community Funds: Donald & Nancy McDaniel Community Fund, John & Midge Decker Community Fund, Roger & Debbie Dyson Community Fund. 

Crestview Middle School: $1,331 Awarded 

Crestview Chamber Music Initiative: Empowering Student-Led Performances—Crestview Middle School teacher, Michael Flanagin, received a grant to support the Crestview Chamber Music Initiative by expanding small-group music opportunities for students. During 2025-26, Crestview launched quarterly Chamber Recital Days, where all band students form small ensembles (duets, trios, quartets) to rehearse and perform. This student-led program empowers students to select repertoire, rehearse independently and lead performances in school and across Huntington County. Funding will provide six new trio collections, including movie, pop and holiday music. The grant was generously sponsored by the following Community Funds: Erik & Heather Larr Family Community Fund, Steve & Vicky Eisenhut Community Fund, Robert & Vera Deal Community Fund. 

Yearbook Club Equipment—Crestview Middle School teacher, Abby Pressler, was awarded a grant to support the Yearbook Club with a digital camera. This will allow students to document school life creatively and professionally while enhancing media literacy, artistic skills and critical thinking. By using the camera, students will also strengthen communication skills by conducting interviews, collaborating with peers and crafting captions. With the addition of a valuable camera, the Yearbook Club will continue capturing memories for years to come. 

Huntington North High School: $1,800 Awarded 

Huntington North High School teacher, Taryn Cobbs, received a grant to develop a comprehensive curriculum for Gelli Printmaking. This will educate students on new printmaking techniques, provide access to high-quality materials and tools, and foster creative expression while building technical skills applicable in both the arts and future careers. 

Flint Springs Elementary School: $1,391 Awarded 

Building Thinking Classrooms—Flint Springs Elementary School teacher, John Stoffel, was awarded a grant to support the implementation of the Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) framework in 5th grade math classes. BTC is a research-based approach that encourages students to engage in deep thinking, take ownership of their learning and collaborate on problem-solving tasks. Funding will provide the necessary supplies to create a dynamic, student-centered learning environment, including tools for working on vertical surfaces and designing ‘thinking tasks.’ By shifting from traditional teacher-led instruction to interactive, collaborative learning, this project helps develop critical thinking, self-reliance and a love of learning. The grant was generously sponsored by the Jean & Charles Nelson Community Fund, and the David and Susan Brewer Family Community Fund. 

Updated Classroom Learning Materials—Flint Springs Elementary School teacher, Kate Thirkettle, received a grant to support 4th grade social studies with a subscription to ‘Studies Weekly’ for the 25–26 school year. The funding will provide 85 newspapers, covering 32 weeks of engaging, standards-aligned social studies content. Studies Weekly helps students develop essential skills in locating and analyzing information while providing a reliable, hands-on resource for classroom instruction. These materials will serve as a valuable learning tool for years to come.  

Pathfinder Early Learning Center: $500 Awarded 

Pathfinder Early Learning Center received a grant to purchase a cabinet for organizing before/after care materials for a dedicated calming space includes soft seating, sensory tools, weighted lap pads, gentle lighting and noise-canceling headphones. This area provides students—particularly those with special needs or emotional challenges—a safe place to self-regulate, manage stress, and return to learning ready to participate. Organized storage in the calming space ensures materials are easily accessible, helping teachers efficiently implement activities that encourage self-regulation, creativity and engagement. The grant was generously sponsored by the Howell-Ehler-Wiley Community Fund, and the Dr. Ron & Judy Frischman Community Fund. 

Interested in learning more about Community Foundation grants? Check out our Grants Page!