2023 Bright Minds Grants Support Innovative Classroom Projects

September 22nd, 2023

Twenty-three Howard County Public School System educators have been awarded grants by the Bright Minds Foundation, the school system’s education foundation. The grants, totaling more than $25,000, will be used to fund innovative instructional projects during the 2023-2024 school year.

The 2023 grant recipients and their projects are:

• Kristen Bennett, Lisbon Elementary School, Micro:bits and Makey Makeys: Oh My!
• Niklas Berry, Oakland Mills High School, Welcome hOMe
• Shayla Bright and Deborah Legowski, Longfellow Elementary School, Healthy Foods 4 Healthy Kids Bright Minds Foundation Grant
• Alyson Donoghue, ARL and homeschools of the students, Isolation of Carotenoids from Yeast in Microbiomes of Flowering Plants
• Danielle DuPuis, HCPSS middle and high schools, Each One, Reach One
• Michael Glennon, Glenwood Middle School, Middle School: Decoded
• Stephanie Hastings, Lisbon Elementary School, Hands on Cryptography
• Bonnie Henry, Rockburn Elementary School, Yoga and Wellness for ALL
• DeAndre Ingram, Harper’s Choice Middle School, HCMS Cooking Club
• Laura Kooyman, Mayfield Woods Middle School, The Creative Side of MWMS Bulldogs
• Alex Leisawitz, Ducketts Lane Elementary School, Recess Supplies
• Emily Petersen, Stevens Forest Elementary School, El español es mi superpoder / Spanish is My Superpower
• Eric Posner, Atholton High School, Harriet Tubman High School Alma Mater
• Sarah Rawlings, Ilchester Elementary School, Math Intervention for Diverse Learners
• Brittany Robey, Homewood School, Homewood for Horses
• Dallas Rosenthal, Cedar Lane School, Growing Together Greenhouse-Plant Projects
• Chris Ryals, Lime Kiln Middle School, Ellicott Mills Middle School, A Learning Space for All
• Tahesha Todd and Ashley Riley, Lake Elkhorn Middle School, Making Connections and Promoting Engagement through Self-Love
• Cindy Waugh, Innovative Pathways Program, Promoting Community Building, Student Engagement and Well-being
• Mary Weaver, Cradlerock Elementary School, Lake Elkhorn Middle School (if needed), Clean Clothes, Focused Minds
• Michael Zoltoski, Applications and Research Laboratory (ARL), Civil Engineering – Concrete Canoe

The grant recipients were recognized at the Sept. 21 Board of Education meeting.

The Bright Minds Foundation works to ensure that each student has access to the education, resources, and opportunities needed to succeed in school and in life. It brings together community support for programs and initiatives that increase education access, equity, and innovation. Bright Minds programs respond to urgent and ongoing needs of students in four key areas: literacy and school readiness; digital inclusion and access to learning; education innovation and teacher support; and college access.

For more information on the Staff and Teacher Grants program, visit the Bright Minds website.