Thereโs nothing quite like the look on a teacherโs face when a surprise grant team walks through the door! This fall, classrooms across Ray-Pec were filled with cheers, hugs, and a few happy tears as the Ray-Pec Public School Foundation awarded more than $20,000 in Classroom Impact Grants.
From elementary makerspaces to high school career projects, each grant brings to life creative ideas that make learning more engaging, hands-on, and meaningful for students. These awards recognize educators who go above and beyond โ dreaming big, inspiring curiosity, and creating opportunities that help students thrive.
A heartfelt thank-you to the Ray-Pec Public School Foundation and everyone who contributes to it. Your generosity makes these moments (and so much more) possible, turning great ideas into life-changing learning experiences for students across the district.
See below for pictures and more info on each grant!
Bridle Ridge โ Jennifer Welder
Jennifer Welder, speech-language pathologist at Bridle Ridge Elementary, received a Foundation grant for a playground communication board.
Bridle Ridge โ Katie Massart, Julie Swank, Lexi Easton
Second-grade teachers Katie Massart, Julie Swank, and Lexi Easton at Bridle Ridge Elementary received a Foundation grant for their โBuild a Plant Lego Displayโ project.
Creekmoor โ Janet Bader, Erica Dodson
Creekmoor fifth-grade teachers Janet Bader and Erica Dodson received a grant for their โRaymore History Podcastโ project.
Eagle Glen โ Jennifer Welder, Kirschen Minsky
Eagle Glen Elementary speech-language pathologists Jennifer Welder and Kirschen Minsky received a grant for interactive books to support functional skills students.
East Middle School โ Zach Brady
East Middle School teacher Zach Brady received a Foundation grant for magnetic dry-erase coordinate graph boards.
East Middle School โ Leanna Sisson
East Middle School journalism teacher Leanna Sisson received a grant to complete the โBluey Familyโ of classroom cameras.
Ray-Pec High School โ Megan Speer
High School College and Career Office advisor Megan Speer received a grant for the College and Career Office Engagement and Recognition project.
Ray-Pec High School โ Anne Mussatti, Kevin Crean
High School National Honor Society sponsors Anne Mussatti and Kevin Crean received a grant to support NHS activities.
HS, EMS, SMS, NGC โ Neil Pedersen
Band director Neil Pedersen received a Foundation grant for the long-term care of band instruments districtwide.
LEAD โ Steven Hatfield
LEAD Center teacher Steven Hatfield received a grant for a machining grinder to support hands-on learning.
LEAD โ Carma Rogers, Leeann Hayes, Stacy Johnson
LEAD Center teachers Carma Rogers, Leeann Hayes, and Stacy Johnson received a grant to create an ELA professional resource library.
Ninth Grade Center โ Sasha Krough
Ninth Grade Center science teacher Sasha Krough received a Foundation grant to develop an outdoor classroom.
Raymore Elementary โ Brianna Pennington, Kathy Wiley, Kristin Mason
Raymore Elementary third-grade teachers Brianna Pennington, Kathy Wiley, and Kristin Mason received a grant for their โTogether is Betterโ project.
Raymore Elementary โ Kellee Clark (with Kat Pogatshnik)
Raymore Elementary art teacher Kellee Clark received a grant for a 3D printer and filament, with support from Kat Pogatshnik.
Ray-Pec Academy โ Rachel Coffelt-Ferrell
Ray-Pec Academy English teacher Rachel Coffelt-Ferrell received a grant for โThe Reading Revivalโ project.
Success Academy โ Katie Fernandez
Success Academy teacher Katie Fernandez received a grant for โAdventures at Our Doorstep.โ
Stonegate โ Kiley Brown
Stonegate Elementary principal, Kiley Brown, received a Foundation grant to create an active calming center.
Shull Early Learning Center โ Kimberly Watson
Shull Early Learning Center speech-language pathologist Kimberly Watson received a grant for phonological awareness tools to support speech therapy.
Shull Early Learning Center โ Kristyl Boehmer
Shull Early Learning Center pre-K teacher Kristyl Boehmer received a grant for โBringing Stories to Life,โ supporting early literacy development.
Shull Early Learning Center โ Susanne OโMahoney
Shull Early Learning Center teacher Susanne OโMahoney received a grant to create a Monarch Waystation.
Shull Early Learning Center โ Stacey Barbarick
Shull Early Learning Center pre-K teacher Stacey Barbarick received a grant for โDiscovering and Learning Through Play.โ
South Middle School โ Jennifer Bailey, Desiree Marvin
South Middle School library media specialists Jennifer Bailey and Desiree Marvin received a grant for their โLiving Sculptureโ library project.
South Middle School โ Julia Parker
South Middle School science teacher Julia Parker received a grant for hands-on, project-based science materials.
Timber Creek โ Elizabeth Retter
Timber Creek Elementary teacher Elizabeth Retter received a grant to create a classroom listening center.
TC, CM, SG, EG, BR โ Kelly Testerman, Janet Bader, Ashlea Franks, Heather Poland, Pam Gonzales
Elementary librarians from Timber Creek, Creekmoor, Stonegate, Eagle Glen, and Bridle Ridge received a grant for the districtwide โBattle of the Booksโ competition.
Not Pictured
Stonegate โ Victoria Wellman
Stonegate Elementary LEAP teacher Victoria Wellman received a grant for a Chomp Saw learning tool.