Annual Educator Good Idea Grants
Grants go to individual teachers for the development of quality educational programs in the classroom or school.
The purpose of the program is to encourage classroom teachers’ ideas and methodology, to enhance the instructional program offered to students in the District, and to recognize the more exemplary efforts of the “eager beavers” in the Tustin Unified School District school system.
Good Idea projects are submitted by teachers and staff in the school district.
Tustin-Santa Ana Rotary awards grants to individuals for the development of quality educational programs in the classroom or school. Either a new concept or a supplement to an ongoing project was eligible for consideration. The winners will use be able to use the money to purchase materials, supplies or equipment. Individual awards varied in amount according to the requirements of the proposed projects.
A committee composed of representatives of the school district and members of the Rotary Club review the Good Idea proposals and select the winners. Individual awards vary in amount according to requirements of the proposed projects
The 2024 winners and their projects were as follows:
- Pat Hsieh, Community School Specialist, Tustin High School, “On Buses and Bridges”
- Erin Charles, Counselor, Beckman High School, “Wellness Bask Proposal”
- Jessica Bodas, Video Productions/Computer App/Graphic Design, Utt Middle School, “Writing in Style”
- Summer Peig, 4 th Grade Teacher, Heritage Elementary School, “Solar Train”
- Debra Bessen, 3 rd Grade Teacher, Heideman Elementary School, “Mic Maestro”
- Jennifer Wongyai, Mental Health Therapist, Hewes Middle School, “Art of Expression”
- Jette Via Crow, Fine Arts Department, Foothill High School, “The Memory Project”
- Stephanie Delgado, SDC Preschool (PAC), Ladera Elementary School, “Inclusive Connections”
- Sarah Chop, Teacher, Hillview High School, “Leadership Students Climbing”
- Christina Adamczak, Librarian, Nelson Elementary School, “Puppet Play in the Library”
- Aya Armendariz, Directed Studies, Utt Middle School, “Games: More than Just Fun”
- Leonor Pereda, 1 st /2 nd Grade -Dual Immersion, Sycamore Magnet Academy, “Arduino Engineers”
- Naomi Halili-Dove, Lead Middle School Tracher, Tustin Connect, “Keep Calm and Carry On”
- Kim Krzeminski, MTSS, Loma Vista Elementary, “Meaningful Motivators”
- Linda Chaplin, Kindergarten Teacher, Tustin Ranch Elementary, “It Just Makes Sense”
- Christian Manalo, Legacy Magnet Academy, for “Keep Calm and Ping Pong On”
- Jennifer Taberski, Legacy Magnet Academy, for “Therapeutic Arts for Specialized Academic Instruction”
- Meghan Krogstad, sixth-grade teacher at Legacy Magnet Academy, for “You Are What You READ – Diverse Books for Diverse Learners”
Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you for your GOOD IDEAS!
