Empowering Education: EGEA Educator Grants

The EGUSD FIRST Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports students and teachers in the Elk Grove Unified School District by addressing resource gaps and promoting educational success. Each school year, the Foundation offers EGEA Grants of up to $1500 for projects initiated by EGEA members across all educational levels.

EGUSD EGEA members are eligible to submit grant requests that include a project description, expected impact on students, explanation of how the project meets equity needs, and a detailed budget. Funds are distributed in the form of checks or gift cards, depending on the project. The Foundation's commitment is focused on enhancing educational opportunities and to support the most vulnerable communities in the district.

    • Matt Gipson (Herburger): 3D printers for students to create their own PBIS awards — $1,500

    • Brandy Shearer (Valley HS): GFX Leadership Pathway Pink Enamel Pin Project Student Enterprise — $1,500

    • Scott Fernandes (Sheldon HS): Student podcast — $1,500

    • Jenny Tcha (PGHS): Meet Me On the Red Carpet — $1,500

    • Miranda Massa (West): iPads for deaf and hard of hearing students to aid with understanding classwork — $1,116.97

    • Mandeep Sahota (Reith): Jag Media Lab - Student Documentary and Broadcast Studio — $1,500

    • Rick Arcuri (MTHS): Replace and update equipment for Core Training Room — $1,000

    • Amanda Holder (Johnson MS): ROAR after school club for positive relationships and responsible decisions — $912

    • Megan Sladen Parent & Karen Briggs (FACE): Books and games for family attendance at FTAT events — $1,500

    • Nadine Batakji (Reith): Classroom novels and alternative seating — $1,500

    • Denise Ramirez (Valley HS): Viking Navigator Program - peer-to-peer mentorship training — $1,500

    • Pernia Hassan (Eddy MS): Graphic novels for EL Intensive 1 & 2 students — $244.52

    • Alexis Tepolt (Donner): Adding SEL activities to PE via yoga and mindfulness — $1,500

    • Jasmine Paular-Osuna (Florin HS): Vocational Training for SPED Students — $1,500

    • Rawan Farhat (Reith): Debate and Public Speaking Kit for 6th graders — $1,500

    • Ginna Johnson (Donner): Rolling whiteboards for SPED classes — $970

    • Stacy Antonopoulos (MTHS): Multilingual book collection for MTHS/Harris Library — $1,300

    • Sara Stephenson & Mariska Heath (Smedberg): 6 whiteboards to increase AVID student participation — $1,404.77

    • Shelly Allen (FACE): Support for foster students (PE clothes, food, hygiene, graduation items) — $1,500

    TOTAL AWARDS: $24,948.26

    • Josh Shrader (Rutter MS): Future Quest program - hands-on science career materials — $1,500

    • Marissa Cmaylo (Laguna Creek HS): School Garden for vocational training for students with disabilities — $900

    • Elizabeth Wollbrink (Toby Johnson MS): Culinary Garden for Home Economics classes — $1,500

    • Jim Bentley (Foulks Ranch ES): WonderLab 5th grade photography project — $850

    • Rawan Farhat (Reith ES): 6th grade AVID whiteboards and alternative seating — $900

    • Mandeep Sahota (Reith ES): Alternative seating for 6th-grade students — $1,416.82

    • Malik Williams (Harris MS): Sound effects fabrication for film, TV, and gaming — $1,500

    • Lynny Huynh-Nguyen (McGarvey ES): Touch of Understanding workshop — $1,500

    • Megan Grigsby (Albiani MS): KioskVUE stations for academic info access — $1,262.64

    • Josette Manfredi (Franklin HS): Care Closet for Foster Youth — $1,500

    • Michelle Norris (Elk Grove HS): Creative arts for students struggling with emotional regulation — $1,500

    • Kiersten Filice (Florin ES): Document-Based Questions for 6th-grade inquiry — $824

    • Jennifer Wanlin (Kennedy ES): Subscription to current events news articles — $1,500

    • Jennifer Hendryx (Cosumnes Oaks HS): District-wide dance workshops — $1,500

    • Kimberly Balderrama (Miwok ES): Portable sound system for Kinder public speaking — $100

    • Katrina Feickert-Miles (Sims ES): PBIS program incentive prizes — $1,500

    • Sheng Xiong (Eddy MS): Multicultural week funding — $600

    • Steffany Osborn (Las Flores Virtual Academy): Family event equipment — $913.07

    • Suzanne Mifsud (Foulks Ranch ES): Headsets for 5th-grade Social Studies, Science, and VAPA — $980


    TOTAL AWARDS: $24,396.53

    • Briana Williams (Prairie ES): Establish the Kindness Club — $468.25

    • Dawn Phillips (Jessie Baker ES): Vocational program for special education — $1,204.91

    • Elizabeth Wathen (Cosumnes River ES): Materials for clay creation — $1,500

    • Jenny Tcha (Pleasant Grove HS): Meet Me On The Red Carpet prom for Special Ed students — $1,500

    • Jim Bentley (Foulks Ranch ES): WonderLab STEAM and VAPA activities — $1,038

    • Jim Crowley (Kennedy ES): Greenhouse for environmental and agricultural learning — $1,499

    • Jose Martin (Zehnder Ranch ES): Solar kits for 4th-grade alternative energy learning — $800

    • Josh Shrader (Rutter MS): Future Quest hands-on science career materials — $1,500

    • Lorna Miller (Franklin HS): STEAM Leadership Student Officer Retreat — $1,500

    • Melissa Hale (Cosumnes Oaks HS): Coding and Robotics Club — $1,500

    • Pilar Geisse-Godt (Elliott Ranch ES): LEGO Lab After School Program — $1,500

    • Sarah Whitney (Foulks Ranch ES): 3D pen printing materials for 6th grade — $1,500

    • Yukkuen Ha (Irene B. West ES): CD’s and books for Kinder workshop rotations — $500

    TOTAL AWARDS: $15,866.16

  • James Rutter's Future Quest

    James Rutter's Future Quest students have greatly benefited from the EGEA Educator Grants provided by the EGUSD FIRST Foundation. With this generous funding, they purchased two sets of hatching chicken eggs (a total of 12) and equipped their classroom with everything needed to care for and raise the birds into mature, egg-producing hens.

    The grants have also supported programs in home maintenance, wood shop, culinary arts, veterinary science, and small engine repair. Through these initiatives, students have developed a profound understanding of where their food comes from, along with a sense of self-reliance and the ability to solve problems through hands-on experience. The impact of this program has been transformative, fostering both personal growth and practical skills.

  • An Unforgettable Evening

    Welcome to our Special Needs Prom, where every student experienced the joy of prom in a supportive and inclusive environment. This heartwarming event celebrated inclusion, providing an unforgettable evening filled with dancing, friendship, and fun. We ensured that each guest felt like the star of the night, creating cherished memories for all. We appreciate your partnership in making this special occasion possible, allowing every student to shine and enjoy a truly magical night!

  • Samuel Kennedy's Greenhouse Initiative

    Samuel Kennedy utilized the EGEA Educator Grants funds to establish a greenhouse, transforming the existing gardening program into a vibrant hub of learning and growth. This initiative has greatly expanded opportunities for students to engage with nature and enhance their hands-on experience in gardening.

  • Lego Lab Design Challenge

    At the "Lego Lab," students were presented with exciting design challenges that sparked their creativity and critical thinking. Tasks included recreating national monuments, engineering speedy race cars, and designing boats capable of carrying heavy loads, among others. Through experimentation and modification of their designs, students honed their problem-solving skills. In its inaugural year, this project engaged 130 students from transitional kindergarten through 6th grade, fostering a vibrant environment of innovation and learning!

Pilar Geisse-Godt, Teacher Elliott Ranch Elementary School

“Thank you for empowering me to make a positive impact on the lives of the children at my school.”

Jim Bentley, Teacher Foulks Ranch Elementary School

“Thank you so much for the wonderful news! I am grateful for the support to create a WonderLab in our classroom.”

Melissa Hale, Teacher Cosumnes Oaks High School

“We are looking forward to being able to utilize the funds to further our project within the Coding and Robotics Pathway.”