UPDATED: Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation surprises 25 29 educators with Great Idea Grants

Cynthia Page-Borgen was one of 25 teachers to be surprised with a Great Idea Grant on Oct. 29.
Cynthia Page-Borgen was one of 25 teachers to be surprised with a Great Idea Grant on Oct. 29.

Nov. 12, 2013

By Tara Cavanaugh

There are many different ways to show surprise.

Principal Shannon Blick showed her surprise with a loud “YAAAAY!” Music teacher Cynthia Page-Bogen clasped her hands together and cheered. Media specialist Laurel Maguire’s quiet but heartfelt response befit a librarian: “Oh my. Thank you.”

The three educators were among the 25 recipients of the Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation’s Great Idea Grants. The annual program distributes individual grants of up to $1,000 to teachers and staff for educational initiatives.

“The grants are meant to enhance the excellence of the educational program of the Ann Arbor Public Schools,” said AAPSEF Executive Director Mary Cooperwasser. “When it comes to educating the children of our community, we are all in this together.”

The foundation sent two members of the Great Idea Grants committee, Melinda Colquitt and John Duerr, to deliver the good news to each educator on Oct 29.

Lawton Principal Shannon Blick received an AAPSEF Great Idea Grant to help provide level-specific reading materials for all students.
Lawton Principal Shannon Blick received an AAPSEF Great Idea Grant to help provide level-specific reading materials for all students.

This year’s Great Idea Grant Winners are:

  • Susan Washabaugh, Pioneer, for Barron’s AP Calculus test review
  • Semra Koknar, Forsythe, for 7th grade trip to Arab American National Museum
  • Cynthia Page-Bogen, Lawton, for musical instruments
  • Diane Gordan, Tappan, for the Magic of Electrons and Automation and Robotics
  • Debra Bondy, Scarlett, for the Magic of Electrons and Automation and Robotic
  • Dan Tolly, Mitchell, for a music program
  • Ann Stalkandske, Thurston, for Jump Into Speech
  • David Caine, Andrew Collins and Jenni Wilkening, Huron, for a science extravaganza
  • Wendy Raymond and Erin Borges, Tappan, for Character Counts
  • Patricia Jenkins, Skyline, for Lift Up Raise Up
  • Denise Murphy, Allen, for Think Stretch Summer Learning Program
  • Laurel Maguire, Preschool and Family Center, for literacy booster kits
  • Deboran Weid, Forsythe, for a field trip to the Museum of African American History
  • Steven Lorenz, Pioneer, for the ACDA Central Division Convention — A Capella Choir
  • Taryn Reid, Pioneer, for the holiday food drive and snack program
  • Emily Warner, Abbot, for kindergarteners to make own sauerkraut
  • Deborah Katz, Clague, for Solo and Ensemble repertoire enhancement
  • Steve Coron, Community, for a student-made photography exhibit in downtown Ann Arbor
  • Peter Pasque and Sara Duball, Skyline, for Project Me
  • Wanda Toro-Zambrana, Lakewood, for International Corner Library
  • Michael Harris, Clague, for the Magic of Electrons and Automation and Robotics
  • Jamie Martin, AA Open and Rec&Ed Green Adventures Camp, for honey bees and beekeeping
  • Dana Oselett, Huron, for sensory integration in the autism classroom
  • Shannon Blick, Lawton, for Razzkids
  • Richard Knapp, Pattengill, for “You Bring Out the Gypsy in Me!”

This year’s grants totaled $21,616.

The winners were carefully selected by a committee of eight, said Cooperwasser. The foundation received 57 grant proposals this year; many of those whose proposals were not selected were pointed to other foundation funding opportunities.

UPDATE as of 12/13/2013: Four additional educators were awarded Great Idea Grants today, bringing the overall Great Idea Grants total to $24,136.42.. They are:

  • Lauren Warren, Huron, for the Chicago International Model UN Conference
  • Beth Dickson, Jenni Wilkening, Dave Russell, Rob Alger, Huron, for Birds of Prey
  • Wendy Reinhardt, Huron, for a Guidance Counselor Student Advisory Board
  • Deborah Katz, Northside, King, and Thurston, for a Northeast Elementary Schools Band Music Collections

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4 Comments

  1. Congratulations to Steve Coron, CHS Art Department Chair, who was also the recipient of a Great Idea Grant. Steven was awarded funds for student creation of a photography exhibit in downtown Ann Arbor.

  2. Thank you for pointing this out, Dean Hein. I skipped over his name when I typed the list into the post. I have now added him in. –Tara Cavanaugh

  3. Please, extend your congratulations to Chris Peterson, Skyline English teacher, on whose behalf we submitted the Project Me Proposal. Chris is an inspired and dedicated teacher. Project Me engages seniors through the last term in high school English. It is an honor to support your initiative, Chris.

  4. On behalf of the Lakewood Community, we salute the efforts of the Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation for your continuous support. You truly make a positive difference in the lives of others and we are grateful.

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