Murray Moments

Teacher Grant Applications for the 2023-24 school year are now open through Friday, September 1.

The types of grants approved will vary from year to year depending upon the available funds, and the other grant requests being considered at the time. Generally, projects most likely to be funded are those that benefit a large amount of students for years to come (at least one classroom), and support or enhance the core curriculum or subject matter. Creative projects usually take precedence over more mundane requests. We have, on occasion, funded a full grade (3-4 teachers in the amount of $1500-$2000 where they have gone together in their request, so this is also possible).

Electronic Application | Paper Application

Viewmont Elementary’s Vangee Watts loves giving her students this butterfly project every year. They flutter with excitement as they discuss their observations with each other. But it wouldn’t be possible without funding from Murray Education Foundation.

Before releasing them into the wild, Ms. Watts first graders must document the changes in words and drawings using a log template she gives them. The assignment is part of our science study of insects curriculum. Real-world experiences enhance education, helping students complete their own metamorphosis of exploration and learning.

The ever-creative and crafty Mr. Mikey (Stephenson) at Grant Elementary has a solution for rising travel costs. This year he has used a simple request for funding through Murray Education Foundation to help his students learn about different cultures through art.

Students have created different expressions of those countries and cultures, using different mediums and resources. And to document their experience, students were invited to create passports of the different countries they explored artistically.

We love that Murray students are given unique and interesting ways to learn about the world around them. It doesn’t matter how far, they can still experience and learn about people and places right here in Murray.

Horizon Elementary’s Loura Olson and Karina Servan are always seeking new ways to support their amazing second-grade DLI instruction for math, Spanish, and language arts. But budgets are limited, and so they turned to Murray Education Foundation (MEF) to purchase some added games and materials that make learning extra fun.

These items are not a lot of money, but when you need a bunch of them, the price adds up. Learning through games and interactive opportunities improves learning retention and augments classroom instruction. High fives to Loura and Karina for always putting their students first.

Regulating emotions is sometimes a challenge for kids and can interfere with learning. So Tricia Kamp, our Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, is always looking for self-regulating implements she can use to help kids relax and return to focus.

Tricia located some great ones and submitted a grant through Murray Education Foundation to purchase kits that provide numerous calming strategies. She knows the power of giving kids different tools and guiding them to discover what works best for them.

Empowering students with solutions and ideas while placing trust in them to learn for themselves is an integral part of education. As adults, they will be expected to use critical thinking skills to reason and experience how to proceed on endless decisions – including those that directly impact their well-being.

Children come to school each day with all kinds of different challenges and experiences. So, it’s important for Longview Elementary’s Katie McBride to be prepared to adapt and pivot based on the needs of each student.

But we all know funding is limited and so support from Murray Education Foundation (MEF) came to Katie with welcome gratitude. She has used her grant to purchase sensory room items that help regulate behavior. But they also support occupational and physical therapy goals that some students need help with.

To learn, some students need these added supports and help addressing challenges and barriers adequately. More than ever, schools and educators are working hard to ensure every student has an equitable learning opportunity.