$10K In Grants Awarded To Teachers In District 58 and District 99

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — More than two dozen teachers from Downers Grove Grade School District 58 and Community High School District 99 recently received grants from Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club (DGJWC) to help them with innovative classroom initiatives.

The grants totaled $10,000, more than twice the amount that was doled out in 2020, according to a news release.

"On behalf of District 58, I want to thank the DGJWC for supporting our staff and students through their Teacher Grants program. We appreciate the many new learning opportunities these grants will provide!" Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell said in a statement.

Becky Bettinger, the Education Committee chair for DGJWC, remarked in a news release ,“The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club is thrilled to provide funds to the incredible teachers in our community who are so invested in our kids’ education. We are honored to have an opportunity to help teachers and benefit the kids of our community."

Below is a roundup of the teachers who received the grants, the amount of each grant and the initiatives the grant will fund.

El Sierra Elementary School

• Christina Gamboa: $250 for a dyslexia specialist certificate
• Ana Guihan-Islas: $500 for bilingual books
• Meg Rohlfing: $250 for biography reading materials

Henry Puffer Elementary School

• Julie Batkiewicz: $500 for diverse reading materials
• Heidi Carlson: $70 for Spotify membership
• Cailtin Choinski: $500 for emotional coping kits
• Amber Schweigert: $399 for The Gifted Program

Herrick Middle School

Genevieve Hahn: $500 for Discovery Learning Hands-On Kits

Highland Elementary School

• Zac Craft: $475 for social-emotional learning tools
• Sandi Hudecek: $467 for white board film and standing desk
• Cathleen Relias: $420 for Fundation books
• Michele Crowley: $500 for social-emotional learning tools

Kingsley Elementary School

• Kristin Fuchs & Matt Dennis: $500 for guided reading novels
• Nichole Szlembarski : $370 for personal space rug

Indian Trail Elementary School

Janice Conboy: $498 for social-emotional learning cooperative play activities

Lester Elementary School

• Jen Conyac: $175 for Generation Genius subscription
• Lauren Snyder: $200 for bench/table combination
• Christine Torres: $500 for sensory processing learning tools

O'Neill Elementary School

• Katie Gorvett: $500 for movable art display
• Nicole Ferroli & Stephanie Potter: $500 for library books

Pierce Downer Elementary School

• Catherine Boyce: $255 for Bridges math tools
• Sabrina Breault: $354 for sensory reading tools
• Monica Eilers: $175 for Generation Genius subscription
• Beth Kamano: $467 for Decodable Phonics Books for Beginners
• Barry Kincaid, Kelsee Gilleylen & Charlie Caton: $500 for emotional calming kits

Downers Grove North High School

Cristina Krein: $375 for advanced self-defense instructor course