$14,735 in Grants Awarded to Fund 11 Projects Submitted by Teachers in the District
This year, Windsor Education Foundation (WEF) has awarded a total of $14,735 in grants to fund 11 projects proposed by certified staff in Windsor Public Schools, including a $1,000 science grant from The Christine Gasparino Memorial Fund. All Windsor Public Schools certified staff was eligible to apply for grants.
“Supporting teachers who design innovative projects and deliver distinctive learning experiences for our Windsor students remains essential,” says Windsor Education Foundation President, Paula Pierce. “Through the grants we fund, we make a meaningful impact across multiple student populations and grades.”
WEF is a non-profit organization that was formed with the goal of supporting excellence in Windsor Public Schools. Since 2007, WEF has awarded $248,563 in grant awards to local public-school educators. The programs funded will directly benefit nearly 2,000 students across all grades.
Following is a synopsis of the 2025-2026 Grants:
The Sensory SEL Room, proposed by Farrah Beatty, will provide all Sage Park Middle School students with a safe, supportive environment where they can strengthen their social and emotional skills. They will also build resilience by practicing positive responses to challenges, improving their focus and readiness to learn by returning to class calm and engaged, and applying responsible decision-making by reflecting on their choices.
The Music Library and Listening Lounge project proposed by Lauren Bowers of Sage Park will cultivate a profound, focused approach to active listening distinct from today’s passive, fast-paced streaming culture. The act of selecting a record or CD, viewing the artwork and reading the liner notes transforms music consumption into an active and reflective experience that deeply supports social-emotional learning.
A Bicycle Repair Program, proposed by Eric Eisnor of Windsor High School, will teach valuable skills in mechanics and technology. Learning how to repair bicycles involves problem-solving, critical thinking, and hands-on experience, which can be beneficial in various future careers.
The Healthcare EMT project, proposed by Heather Gebhardt, is a combined effort to design and build an ambulance simulator within the first aid/EMS pathway course. Students will have simulated hands-on experience and training that will prepare them for the EMS field. Students will use the simulator for realistic training they would not otherwise have in school and leave the class prepared to start a career in EMS.
Through the Bridges to Belonging learning initiative, 9th-grade students will participate in workshops and collaborative artmaking led by professional teaching artists, including muralist Craig Norton. The project will engage students in conversations of community, identity, and connection through the process of creating murals that reflect themes of belonging and shared spaces within the school environment.
The Ocean Wonders project, proposed by Rebecca Zenczak, seeks to acquire licensing for the immersive film “Ocean Wonders” to integrate into the existing Marine Biology curriculum at Windsor High School. Its use of 360-degree virtual reality brings the marine world into the classroom. This is a creative approach that moves beyond traditional textbooks and videos, providing students with a visceral encounter with ocean life.
Engineering For A Cause, proposed by Megan Rickis, is a “Go Baby Go” after-school program at Sage Park. By reengineering, they will transform battery-powered cars into therapeutic devices. This STEM education and problem-based learning, requires students to design, fabricate, and test solutions for a child’s specific needs, fostering a practical blend of applied technical skill and human-centered design.
Project Based Learning with Co-drones, by Gillian Rondinone, brings new hybrid technology that combines computer programming drone robotics, and automation to the students of Sage Park. Kimabot allows students with varying levels of knowledge to write code for their drones and fly them.
The Build the Moon Challenge, proposed by Wendy Schwartz of Sage Park, is an international STEM design competition created in partnership with NASA-related Space Grant Consortiums. Teams develop their own lunar concrete mixtures using lunar regolith simulant, demonstrating construction capabilities (like bricks, landing pads, or 3D-printed walls), and designing a lunar habitat grounded in research and experimentation.
The Printing and Heat Press project, proposed by Sayed Fouda, will provide 7th grade students the opportunity to transfer their digital designs onto real products using heat press machines for t-shirts, mugs, and caps. It will increase engagement, connect classroom learning with industry practices and give students practical skills that support creativity, career readiness and social-emotional growth.
The Animating Possibilities: Creativity, Confidence, and Career Skills project, proposed by Christine Donatone and Tia Alves, will build CBTA student skills through animation. It is a student-centered project that brings innovative, online animation instruction into Windsor Public Schools.
“We’re privileged to fund these forward-thinking programs created by dedicated, imaginative, and passionate Windsor educators,” said Kandyce Aust, Chair of the Windsor Education Foundation Grants Committee. “These initiatives have a tremendous impact on our educational communities—they foster intellectual curiosity, strengthen student confidence, and create invaluable learning opportunities. We’re grateful to our generous business partners, individual contributors, and everyone who supports our fundraising efforts for making these grants a reality.” Grant applications are accepted annually each fall.