Evanston Township High School Teacher Receives Grant from WGU

Neil Reimer, a high school chemistry teacher at Evanston Township High School in Evanston Township District 202, has received an $800 grant through Western Governors University’s (WGU) “Fund My Classroom” initiative. The funds will be used to purchase new lab equipment for his classroom, allowing his chemistry students to perform scientific experiments that connect chemical calculations to the principles of green chemistry. Reimer learned he was selected for the grant on May 5 when WGU staff surprised him with a check presentation at his school.

Working as a sophomore and junior level chemistry teacher, Reimer has found it difficult to apply the concept of stoichiometry – which refers to the quantitative study of the reactants and products involved in a chemical reaction – into his classroom curriculum. To help students better understand the concept, Reimer plans to adapt an AP chemistry guided-inquiry experiment to the introductory chemistry level for his students to be tasked with analyzing the separation of sodium bicarbonate from sodium carbonate to determine percent composition and atom economy. The grant money received from WGU will allow Reimer to obtain a new ring stand, clay triangle, Bunsen burner, burner striker, crucible tongs, digital balance and other lab equipment to carry out these experiments. Reimer hopes the new curriculum and lab equipment will bring about a level of content and skill application that will allow students to see themselves as scientists and be able to connect their learning to the real world.

The innovative classroom project is one of 27 across Illinois chosen by WGU to receive funding. The nonprofit, fully online university issued a call in March for K-12 teachers across the state to nominate proposed classroom projects by April 17 for the opportunity to receive full or partial funding through its “Fund My Classroom” initiative. Reimer’s proposal is one of more than 80 nominations received statewide. Most grants were awarded during Teacher Appreciation Week, which ran from May 2-6.

“We received nominations for some amazing classroom projects, and we are happy to bring so many to life through this year’s ‘Fund My Classroom’ initiative,” said Dr. Terrance Hopson, Regional Director of Western Governors University. “When it comes to expanding classroom curriculum and employing innovative techniques to engage and challenge students, teachers are often limited by costs. This initiative is an opportunity for WGU to give back to teachers, who go above and beyond to educate our students, by providing them with funding they can use to further enhance learning both in and out of the classroom.”

To learn more about the “Fund My Classroom” initiative and the work WGU is doing to help teachers advance their careers, visit wgu.edu.

About WGU

Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 131,000 students nationwide and has more than 277,000 graduates. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 25 years, the university has become a leading influence in the development of innovative workforce-focused approaches to education. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu.