Waterloo Schools Foundation Invests $7,898 in Innovative Learning Opportunities

During the Waterloo Schools Foundation’s March 2026 grant cycle, they awarded $7,898.24 to support various classroom learning opportunities and individual student learning experiences outside the classroom.

The following Waterloo Schools educator and student projects were selected for funding:

• Annalee Hollingsworth, West High - Start Up Wars Entrepreneurship Simulation | $625

An online simulation where students will become an entrepreneur and face all the challenges they would in the real world, without leaving their classroom.

• Bri Brown, Irving Elementary - Irving Family Reading Challenge | $1,000

Funding to assist in the purchase of books to enhance the at-home reading experience for students.

• Braelynn Hagarty, East High - Paws & Hugs Project | $400

Resources to support the Student Council’s social-emotional learning project, focused on empathy, kindness, and emotional awareness.

• Emily Moore, Hoover Middle School - Hoover 8th Grade Fiber Arts Club | $800

Start up supplies to begin hosting a Fiber Arts Club, connecting math and crochet/knitting for eighth graders at Hoover.

• Mackensie Schmitt, Bunger Middle School - Belin-Blank Summer Institute | $200

Funding assistance to attend the Blank Summer Institute at the University of Iowa, where Schmitt will explore the world of theatre, including playwriting, acting, and directing.

• Meigan Leary, Central Middle School - Central Student Council Newscast | $604.60

Additional funding to enhance the Student Council Newscast program, including upgrades to equipment and access to cutting-edge technology.

• Nicole Kelchen, George Washington Carver Academy - Sensory Space | $500

Resources to establish a sensory space, ultimately aiding students in maximizing their classroom learning time while supporting social-emotional regulation and proactive behavioral support.

• Paul Wallace, West High - AFJROTC Flight Simulator CPU | $1,217.72

Implementation of new technology to expose more AFJROTC students to flight and aviation.

• Tabatha Frizell, Lincoln Elementary - STEM Exploration | $1,338.76

A project to bring STEM learning kits into Lincoln Elementary 1st grade classrooms, encouraging hands-on learning, experimentation, and engineering skills.

• Tiffany Ross, Kittrell Pre-School - AAC Class Library | $762.16

Establishment of a class library to further expand a newly developed Augmentative and Alternative Communication co-taught classroom, encouraging communication between all levels of students.

• Tinley Rindels, Bunger Middle School - Belin-Blank Summer Institute | $200

Funding assistance to attend the Blank Summer Institute at the University of Iowa, where Rindels will solve real-world problems using their mathematical and critical thinking skills outside of the traditional textbook.

• Tracey Simon, Orange Elementary - Morpheme Magic | $250

Assistance to establish a new program across Simon’s classroom to further help students learn how words work and expand their confidence in literacy.

These grants will be funded through the Waterloo Schools Foundation's grant fund, STEM fund, contributions from the Waterloo Easy Risers Kiwanis Club, and other restricted dollars, 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.

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