Ten D. 202 teachers get Foundation professional development awards

Ten District 202 teachers will each get to take part in special professional growth programs this summer with the help of a special grant designed to support innovative teaching.

The Plainfield Foundation for Excellence created the Professional Development Awards seven years ago to help individual teachers in the classroom expand and improve their classroom skills and knowledge.

The Professional Development Awards are for up to $500 each. They can be used to pay for registration fees, tuition, conference/class related materials, travel, lodging, meals or other professional development expenses for classes or programs taken in summer 2018.

“The Foundation understands that money for continuing professional study and growth can be hard to find,” said Foundation for Excellence Chairman Matthew Starr. “We are happy and proud to help our teachers continue to be lifelong learners,” he said.

The 2018 Professional Development Award winners are:

• Jessica Matas, Aux Sable Middle School – plans to attend the 2018 International Society for Technology in Education Conference in Chicago.
• Judy Meier, Lakewood Falls Elementary School – plans to attend the 2018 International Society for Technology in Education Conference in Chicago.
• Christie Hilliard, Liberty Elementary School – plans to attend the 2018 International Society for Technology in Education Conference in Chicago.
• Sidney Minnick, Charles Reed Elementary School – plans to attend the 2018 International Society for Technology in Education Conference in Chicago.
• Christy Huennekens, Indian Trail Middle School – plans to attend the 2018 International Society for Technology in Education Conference in Chicago.
• Roman Africa, Aux Sable Middle School – plans to attend the 2018 International Society for Technology in Education Conference in Chicago.
• Taylor McCormick, Indian Trail Middle School – plans to attend the Kagan Cooperative Learning Workshop in Homewood, Illinois.
• Wendy Wisneski, Grand Prairie Elementary School – plans to attend the Kagan Cooperative Learning Workshop in Homewood, Illinois.
• John Hall, Heritage Grove Middle School – plans to attend the Twitter Math Camp in Cleveland, Ohio.
• Kristen Kolmodin, Plainfield North High School – plans to attend the 98th Annual National Council for the Social Studies conference in Chicago.

The Foundation for Excellence is a private organization that has been supporting District 202 schools, students and staff with grants, scholarships and financial support for special programming since 1983.

Along with scholarships and grants, the Foundation has also supported special District 202 programs including a District Art Gallery, the Great Read community reading program and the 1847 Schoolhouse Restoration.

For more information about the Plainfield Foundation for Excellence or to make a donation, please visit: www.d202foundation.org