PEF Teacher Grant Parade 2024 (Photo – PEF)
Pasadena Unified (PUSD) teachers and principals received more than $206,000 in grants thanks to the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF), College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation, and Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association at this year’s PEF Teacher Grants Celebration & Parade.
By News Desk
The grants, awarded annually, benefit thousands of students in the public schools of Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre.
This year, 148 Teacher grants and 10 School-Wide grants were awarded to 238 educators, – including representatives from each PUSD school. From enhancing school gardens and hatching steelhead trout to exploring culturally relevant stories and producing engaging theater performances, these grants provide vital resources for teachers to create meaningful educational experiences. While Teacher Grants are awarded for use in a classroom or at a grade level, School-Wide Grants are awarded to principals for projects that benefit all students at their school.
“For more than 50 years, PEF has empowered educators with the tools they need to inspire creativity, spark innovation, and enrich the classroom experience,” said Dr. Patrick Conyers, PEF Executive Director. “We’re deeply grateful to our donors and to our partners at the College Football Playoff Foundation and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses for their support in making this program possible.”
Special awards
- Calvin Hunt Arts Award
Awarded to Dany Richey, Sirvard Ogtanyan, and Christina An of Sierra Madre Elementary for their project, Superhero Social-Emotional Learning & STEAM. Inspired by the book Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold, students will imagine themselves as superheroes and create their own sidekick pal robots to support them on their life journey.
- Jarratt Brunson Memorial Award for Literacy
Awarded to Lauren Partma of Don Benito Elementary for her project, Novel Notions, which will build a culturally diverse classroom library. Students will engage with the books through small reading groups and read-aloud sessions.
- Kathy Onoye Principal’s Leadership Award
Awarded to Maria Toliver and Patricia J. Gwinn of McKinley School for the Arts for their project, McKinley Library Revitalization (Phase 2). This initiative builds on last year’s library renovation by expanding the collection of student-centered books to further enhance student learning. The McKinley Library renovation was made possible with support from PEF, College Football Playoff Foundation, and the Tournament of Roses.
These awards highlight the dedication, creativity, and leadership of PUSD educators who continue to bring transformative ideas to their classrooms.
> A complete list of awardees is available at pased.org/teachers.
PEF Teacher Grant Parade 2024 (Photo – PEF)
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