There are two grant periods each funding year: October and February. Read more about DEF grants and application process.
October 2024
Twenty grants totaling: $15,009.21
| Teacher (s) | Subject | Grade Level | Role | School(s) | Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeLandon Mason | Dean of Restorative Behavior | Brooks | Professional Cartoonist Assembly |
| Alicia Singer | Kindergarten Teacher | Brooks | Gathering rug |
| Jenise Hudson | Fourth grade teacher | Brooks | Headphones & Graphic Novels |
| Sarah Schneider | Kindergarten teacher | Brooks | Headphones |
| Carolyn Vaughn | Instructional Coach | Brooks | Headphones that support math and reading |
| Christina Urich | Special Education Teacher | Clinton Rosette | Books and games |
| Gregor King & Chris Jones | Music Teachers | Clinton Rosette and Huntley | Choral music binders |
| Patrick O’Connor | French Teacher | DeKalb High School | Graded readers for French classes |
| Sidney Bomkamp | Special Education Resource Teacher | Founders | Math manipulatives |
| Brittni Sticka & Steven Hart | Physical Education Teachers | Founders | Push up mats and snake cross challenge mats |
| Shelly Plagakis | Resource Teacher | Founders | Just Right Books |
| Mario Hueramo | Social Worker | Huntley | Sensory & Self regulation items |
| Roberta Ruschke | SOAL Teacher | Huntley | Calming sensory room materials |
| Anthony Kafka | Special Education Teacher | Huntley | Science lab equipment |
| Kristina Karkavatsos & Olivia Frye | First Grade Teachers | Jefferson | Rockford Discovery Center student admission fees |
| Heather Skoien | Resource Teacher | Jefferson | Hands-on materials math and reading materials |
| Kelly Zerby | Physical Education Teacher | Jefferson | Physical education games |
| Tim Strohecker & Kelli Gerace | Physical Education | Malta | Adjustable pickleball nets and pickleballs |
| Hannah Grubbs | First Grade Teacher | Tyler | Classroom area rug |
| Ktway Calvin | Reading Specialist | Tyler | Materials to make Family Literacy Bags |
February 2024
Seventeen grants totaling: $20,260.65
| Teacher (s) | Subject | Grade Level | Role | School(s) | Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tina Palmer | Third Grade Teacher | Brooks | Headphones |
| Sophia Apostol | Third Grade Teacher | Brooks | Headphones |
| Christina Urich | Special Education Teacher | Clinton Rosette | Class materials |
| Jessica Marcellis-Montavon | DHS Transition Program | DeKalb High School | Adaptive materials |
| Deborah Faber | Pre K | ELDC | Sensory panels |
| Vanessa Coolman | Pre K bilingual program | ELDC | Sensory materials |
| Kristina Karkavatsos and Olivia Frye | First Grade Teachers | Jefferson | First grade field trip to Discovery Museum |
| Melanie Elsenbroek and Sarah Marks | School Psychologist, Occupational Therapist | Jefferson, Malta and Tyler | De-Escalation materials |
| Alexandria Henry | Physical Education Teacher | Huntley | Volleyball system |
| Christopher Komos | Band Director | Huntley | Steel Drums |
| Mario Hueramo | Social Worker | Huntley | PBIS Materials |
| Amanda McCabe and Lois Miller | Reading Specialist, Librarian | Jefferson | Diversity materials |
| Tracy Beling | Reading Specialist | Lincoln | “One School, One Book” program |
| Rebecca Christofferson | First Grade Teacher | Littlejohn | Toy market stand |
| Tim Strohecker | Physical Education | Malta | Balance bikes and helmets |
| Hannah Grubs | First Grade Teacher | Tyler | Classroom library |
| Stephanie Jorzak and MaryAnn Grutza, Denise Fleming | Kindergarten Teachers, Instructional Coach | Tyler | Field trip to Russell Woods for all D428 kindergarten students |
October 2023
Fifteen grants totaling $18,700.38
| Teacher (s) | Subject | Grade Level | Role | School | Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhaldo Schimper, Erin Meier, and Laurie Kiley | Resource and Special Education Teachers | Clinton Rosette | Flex seating |
| Bill McGuire, Shay Sticka, Jessica Crawford | PE Teachers | Cortland | Pedometers |
| Dayna Anderson | Large Engine Power 2 class | DHS | VEX Robotic Kits |
| Katherine Bend | Art Teacher | DHS | Art mural w/ local professional artist |
| Peggy Berger-Dlabal, Katelyn Crum | Adaptive PE / SOAL Teacher | DHS | Recumbent bike for SOAL program |
| Katie Davis | Pre K | ELDC | Wood dramatic play kitchen |
| Molly Lang | 2nd grade Teacher | Founders | Calm down area materials |
| Dori De La Cruz | Social Worker | Huntley | Materials for developing executive skills |
| Kelly Zerby | PE Teacher | Jefferson | Recess Equipment |
| Cate Cardella, Tracy Beling | 1st Grade Teacher, Reading Specialist | Lincoln | Interactive alphabet and number wall charts |
| Danielle Cassidy | 1st Grade Teacher | Lincoln | Felt board and storytelling materials |
| Sara Haughee | Resource Teacher, 3-5 grades | Lincoln | Materials for writing intervention program |
| Carolyn Beckett, Veronica Garcia-Martinez | Librarian, 5th grade bilingual teacher | Littlejohn | Books written by Latino authors for library |
| Bridget Steininger, Megan Mishler | K-2 Resource Teacher, Social Worker | Malta | Materials for the school’s sensory room |
| Ryan Wood, Amy Walker | 5th Grade Teachers | Malta | STEM and engineering kits |
February 2023
Nine grants totaling: $9,108.70
| Teacher (s) | Subject | Grade Level | Role | School | Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cate Cardella | First grade | Lincoln | “Shine a Light” Books |
| Adrien Fell | Pre K | ELDC | Light Table and Manipulatives |
| Venika Goode | Pre K | ELDC | Large Motor Equipment |
| Mario Hueramo | Social Worker | Huntley | Calm Down Kit |
| Alicia Lavender | Pre K | ELDC | Light Table Bundle |
| Sarah Mack | Pre K | ELDC | Science and Math Materials |
| Joanie Novak | Second grade/dual language | Littlejohn | STEAM Assemblies |
| T. Strohecker and Kelli Gerace | Physical Education | Malta | Fly Fishing Curriculum |
| Carol Zelaya | First grade/dual language | Littlejohn | Decodable Texts |
October 2022
Eight grants totaling $13,132.61
| Teacher (s) | Subject | Grade Level | Role | School | Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhaldo Schimper | Special Education | Clinton Rosette | Flex seating and dry erase board |
| Kristen Gineman | 4th Grade | Cortland | Branches Book Series |
| Dayna Anderson | Large Engine Power 2 class | DHS | Remote Control Tractors |
| Kat Schnorr | Pre K | ELDC | Light Table and STEM Manipulatives |
| A. Blecher, J. Colvin, C. Schultz | Health Education | Huntley and Clinton Rosette | CPR and First Aid Materials |
| T. Paszotta and C. Zelaya | Kindergarten/1st Grade | Littlejohn | Latin American Fine Arts Materials |
| M. Corn and V. Grant | 1st Grade | Malta | Tinker Tub STEM Bins |
| T. Strohecker and Kelli Gerace | Physical Education | Malta | Speed Stacks |
February 2022
Ten grants totaling $27,086.38
| Teacher (s) | Subject | Grade Level | Role | School | Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amy Fontana | 5th Grade | Brooks | STEM Snap Circuit Kits |
| Lindsay Simonson | Speech Language Pathologist | Brooks, Cortland, Founders | Communication Boards |
| Bethany Ray & Rachel Honeyman | 6th Grade Language Arts | Clinton Rosette | Graphic Novels |
| Kristen Gineman | Teacher | Cortland | High Interest Books |
| Ryan Bounds | Graphics | DHS | 4D Cinema Camera |
| J. Lindquist & Peggy-Berger-Dlabal | Adaptive PE | DHS | Recumbent Bikes |
| Karynna Vargas | Pre K Bilingual | ELDC | Pre K STEM Materials |
| Alexandria Henry | PE | Huntley | Equipment Carts |
| Amanda Zirzow | Math | Huntley | Poster Maker |
| Cate Cardella | 1st Grade | Lincoln | Flexible Seating |
| Julie Hamilton | 5th Grade | Lincoln | On-line Math Subscriptions |
| Jennifer Lycan | Instructional Coach | Lincoln | Math Manipulatives |
| Veronica Garcia-Martinez | 5th Grade Bilingual | Littlejohn | Outdoor Reading Garden/Stage |
| T. Strohecker & K. Tinsley | PE | Malta | Three Wheeled Scooters |
| K. Winchel, R. Kim, J. Dahlke-Ney | Counselor, Social Worker, Instructional Coach | Tyler | SEL Library Books |
October 2021
| Teacher (s) | School | Item |
|---|---|---|
| Katie Slou | Lincoln Elementary | Book series (fourth grade) |
| Amanda Baum | Clinton Rosette Middle School | Math instructional videos |
| Olivia Frye and Delaney Balaci | Jefferson Elementary School | Writing and publishing materials and equipment (First grade) |
| Kelly Zerby and Melanie Bickley | Jefferson Elementary School | Supplies for sensory pathways and playground beautification |
February 2020
| Teacher (s) | School | Item |
|---|---|---|
| Cate Cardella | All schools | Garden equipment |
| Physical Education Teachers / Adapted | Cortland Elementary | Physical Education Equipment |
| Emily Weller & Emily Kielb (Students) | Brooks Elementary | Garden equipment |
| Carrie Engstrom | Huntley Middle School | Flipside Dry Erase Boards |
| Julie Hamilton | Lincoln Elementary | Seating for literacy activities |
| Kristen Gineman | Cortland Elementary | Books with diverse characters |
| High School Science Teachers | DeKalb High School | Wireless Smart Cars |
| Steve Bell | Founders Elementary | Video Production Equipment |
| Katie Slou | Lincoln Elementary | Social emotional library |
| Alexandria Henry & Patrick Hamilton | Huntley Middle School | Blue Tooth Speakers |
| Cara Jovanovich | Founders Elementary | Library books to renew the Founders Library |
DEF is proud to say that they have been able to fund 15 grants during the 2018/2019 school year. These 15 grants are spread across multiple schools within the DeKalb School District and benefits over 5,000 plus of our students. Here are the results of grant submissions for 2019.
October 2019
| Teacher (s) | School | Item |
|---|---|---|
| Krista Jones & Rachel Honeyman | Clinton Rosette Middle School | Rebecca Caudill nominated author visit & book |
| Abby Tanner | Clinton Rosette Middle School | LCD pads |
| Travis Erickson | DeKalb High School | Choir Robes |
| Sheila Felder & Kelsey Chelberg | Both Middle Schools | Support /Storage racks larger instruments |
| Krista Marks | Cortland Elementary | Supplies for Calm Down Boxes |
| Jenni Smith | Clinton Rosette | Box Cars & One-Eyed Jacks “Megakit” |
| Jennifer Lowe & Lisa Feuerbach | Littlejohn Elementary | Harambee Percussion Ensemble |
| Early Learning Development Teachers | Early Learning & Development | Books & hand on material to advance program |
| Katherine Bend | DeKalb High School | Field Trip Wndr Museum in Chicago |
| Joan Boyce | Littlejohn Elementary | Supplies for Garden |
February 2019
| Teacher (s) | School | Item |
|---|---|---|
| Molly Raymond | Lincoln Elementary | Fidget box items & cool down zone |
| Dina Sweet | Lincoln Elementary | Sphero Spectrums |
| Lois Miller | Jefferson Elementary | Library books (Countries of the World) |
| Katie Davis | Early Learning & Development Center | Center indoor gross motor area |
| Jill Mc Cormick | Founders Elementary | Assemblies for Fine Arts Enrichment |
| Robert Honeyman, Angela Raleigh & 8th grade team | Huntley Middle School | Holocaust Museum |
