2023 DKG Mini Grants Recipients Announced
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is pleased to announce the 2023 DKG Mini Grant recipients. The DKG Mini Grant program was established by the Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International whose members are women educators from Boone and Winnebago Counties and is funded by two endowments established in memory of local educators and Zeta members, Blanche J. Martin, and Lana P. Smith.
DKG Mini Grants are awarded to qualified Early Childhood through Grade 12 educators currently teaching in Boone and Winnebago Counties. Proposals submitted by teachers are reviewed and recommended for awards by current DKG members. The grants are used to fund special classroom activities, purchase education materials, attend workshops, or implement other projects that enhance or improve the quality of education.
The six 2023 grantees are:
Steve Bergler, Kinnikinnick CCSD #131, “Roscoe Middle School 8th Grade 1960’s Interdisciplinary Unit”: Middle schoolers will participate in an educational experience crossing curriculum areas including math, science, language arts, and social studies, and focused on aspects of the impact of the 1960’s. The unit will end with “1960’s Day”, a fun, interactive day filled with hands-on activities. This grant will help fund the materials needed for 1960’s Day. Grant made possible by the Blanche Martin Mini Grant Endowment
Mary Cunat, Spectrum School, “Strengthening Equity via Diverse Literature”: Spectrum staff will participate in professional training on equity and diversity. The grant will be used to purchase resources for Spectrum’s library of print and digital resources focused on strengthening school equity. Grant made possible by the Blanche Martin Mini Grant Endowment
Sarah Fey, Holy Family Catholic School, “1st/2nd Grade Mobile STEM Cart Speed Builds and Teambuilding”: A cart, to be shared among classrooms, will be outfitted with STEM building materials and challenge cards. Groups of students will use the materials to solve the challenges, encouraging teamwork and collaboration to achieve a goal. Grant made possible by the Lana P. Smith Memorial Endowment
Amber Laue, Clark Elementary School, “Life-Sized Candy Land in Kindergarten”: The Clark Kindergarten Team will create a life-sized Candy Land game which will reinforce skills through an engaging, fun activity. Students play the game just like traditional Candy Land, drawing a card, moving to the space of that color, and completing a task or problem while on that space. Grant made possible by the Lana P. Smith Memorial Endowment
Katie McKinney, Winnebago Middle School, “Winnebago Middle School Counseling”: Counseling staff will purchase games, curriculum, and art supplies which support social emotional learning through play therapy. Grant made possible by the Blanche Martin Mini Grant Endowment
Emily Temple, Kinnikinnick CCSD #131, “Breakout.edu”: The grant will be used to purchase a subscription to Breakout.edu, an educational site which challenges students with virtual escape rooms. The subscription also includes a kit with hands-on tools. Grant made possible by the Blanche Martin Mini Grant Endowment