Two Peoria County Teachers Receive Grants from WGU

Two teachers at Illini Bluffs Elementary School in Glasford were recently awarded grants through Western Governors University’s (WGU) “Fund My Classroom” initiative. Manning Bricker, a physical education teacher, received a $750 grant to create a disc golf unit for the school’s students in grades K through 5. Shawn Crandell, an early childhood education teacher, received a $350 grant to enhance her classroom science learning center. Both Bricker and Crandell learned they were selected for the grants on May 11 when they were surprised with check presentations at their school.

Bricker plans to use the $750 grant he received to obtain nine disc golf baskets and targets and create a disc golf unit for over 400 P.E. students in grades K through 5. Students will not only learn the rules of the game but will also learn how to keep score, throw and become familiar with different strategies used for disc golf. At the end of the unit, he plans on having a “Bring Your Parent to P.E.” event in which students will compete in a round of disc golf with their parents and practice their newly acquired skills. This grant will allow for an innovative and engaging learning experience for students, promoting physical fitness and teamwork.

Crandell has 12 different learning centers in her early childhood classroom and often needs to add or change out activities in each center to keep her students actively engaged. With the $350 grant she received from WGU, she plans on adding science activities from Lakeshore Learning to her classroom science learning center. The activities require no preparation by staff and include different specimen kits that focus on bugs, mammals, sea life and reptiles, as well as tubs that focus on some of the more basic science concepts like colors, sinking/floating, motion, sound and magnets. These new materials will provide engaging opportunities for students to explore and learn about science concepts and further enhance their learning experience in the classroom.

The innovative classroom projects are among 22 across Illinois chosen by WGU to receive funding. The nonprofit, fully online university issued a call in early March for K-12 teachers across the state to nominate proposed classroom projects by April 14 for the opportunity to receive full or partial funding through its “Fund My Classroom” initiative. Nearly 80 nominations were received statewide. Most grants were awarded during Teacher Appreciation Week, which ran from May 8-12.

“We are so glad to once again be able to offer grant funding to deserving teachers across the state through our ‘Fund My Classroom’ initiative, and we were so moved by all the nominations we received,” said Jessica Denham, Regional Director of Western Governors University. “While we aren’t able to support all the projects that were nominated, we are excited to award funding to dozens of teachers who have come up with unique and innovative ways to improve their classrooms in order to promote learning and provide an enriching experience for their students.”

To learn more about the “Fund My Classroom” initiative and the work WGU is doing to help teachers advance their careers, visit wgu.edu.

About WGU

Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 140,000 students nationwide and has more than 300,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 25 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu.