8 Waterloo Schools Educators Awarded WSF Grants

The Waterloo Schools Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the January 2026 grant cycle, awarding a total of $12,522.53 to support a wide variety of classroom learning and opportunities across the Waterloo Community School District.

The following educators and projects were selected for funding:

Abby Bullock, Irving Elementary - Sensory Path | $1,500

A structured, safe space outside of the classroom for students to self-regulate, enhance their gross motor skills, and fulfil their sensory needs.

Autumn Bergman, District Wide - Multilinguals in STEM Night | $1,500

Resources to enhance a family-oriented night for multilingual learners (English language learners) to explore STEM and provide access to Waterloo Schools' STEM experiences.

Craig Hemsath, Waterloo Career Center - Tools for Increased Depth & Relevancy in Anatomy & Physiology | $2,000

Funding to assist in the purchase of authentic human skeletal specimens for students to gain direct, hands-on exposure to true anatomical variation, texture, scale, and complexity.

Eliana Garcia, Lou Henry Elementary - Non-Fiction Decodable Texts for Students | $1,144.50

Implementation of non-fiction decodable texts for students to explore diverse genres and apply higher thinking strategies through real-world texts.

Jon Dennis, Waterloo Career Center - Unity Projects and Certifications | $1,340

Funding for students in the game design course to receive a Unity certification, an industry-recognized credential in the world of software engineering and gaming, to grow their professional portfolios.

Nathan Nebbe, West High - Biology and Science Club Grow Light Renewal | $720

A project to renew and expand learning and research opportunities for students in AP and IB biology classes, general biology, ecology, and the science club at West High.

Nicole Walker, Hoover Middle School - Hi-Lo Book Library | $2,118.28

Establishment of a book library focused on catering to the wide variety of readers, specifically English language learning students, students with learning disabilities, and twice-exceptional individuals.

Tiffany Mensing, Poyner Elementary - Piano Keyboards for Elementary Music | $2,199.75

A project bringing innovative, individualized hands-on keyboard instruction that will grow with students from kindergarten to fifth-grade.

These grants will be funded through the Waterloo Schools Foundation's grant fund, STEM fund, Mary K. Williams Endowment, and other restricted dollars, which are all made possible thanks to the generosity of donors who believe in public education. In addition to these grants, the WSF continues to support the Waterloo Schools through various District Initiatives and other fundraising projects that align with the WCSD's strategic plan.

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Your Support Makes a Difference. If you are interested in sponsoring a grant or learning more about giving opportunities, please contact Hannah Luce at 319-214-0134 or h.luce@wcsfoundation.org.

Grants Reopen February 1st. Educators and students are encouraged to apply from February 1st to March 1st for the WSF's March 2026 grant cycle. Visit our grants page to learn more.