Eleven District 202 teachers will 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 to help individual teachers 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 2024.
“The Foundation understands that money for continuing professional study and growth can be hard to find,” said Foundation for Excellence Vice Chairman Matthew Starr. “We are proud to help our teachers continue to be lifelong learners.”
The 2024 Professional Development Award winners are:
· Kris Bruno, Ridge Elementary School – plans to attend the “Science on the Grand STEAM Conference for Inquiry-based Educators” in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
· Jenny Carlisle, John F. Kennedy Middle School – plans to attend the “EduProtocols Summer Academy” at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
· Rachel Cecil, Plainfield North High School – plans to attend the “Science Olympiad Summer Workshop” at the Northern Illinois University Conference Center in Naperville.
· Jerrod Cook, Plainfield South High School – plans to attend the “Conn Selmer Institute” at Bethel University in Mishawaka, Indiana.
· Megan Kobliska, Plainfield Academy – plans to attend the “Project SEARCH National Convention” in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
· Judy Meier, Wallin Oaks Elementary School – plans to attend the “Google for Education Certified Innovator Academy” in Chicago.
· Christie Milen, Liberty Elementary School – plans to attend the “Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Elementary Technology Conference” in Galveston, Texas.
· Susan Reeves, Plainfield South High School – plans to attend the virtual “Meaningful Project-Based Learning for High School English” program through Teacher’s Workshop.
· Erin Sorensen-Smith, Plainfield North High School – plans to attend the “Space Academy for Educators” program at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
· Kimmi Sorg, Ridge Elementary School – plans to attend the virtual “Reading Recovery Summer Institute” through Clemson University along with 10 of her peers.
· Amber Yurgil, Central Elementary School – plans to attend the virtual “A New Look at Behavior: Connecting, Calming, and Coaching” program through Therapy Advance Courses.
Since 1983 the Plainfield Foundation for Excellence has raised and contributed about $1.2 million to support District 202 students and staff through grants, scholarships, and special funding.
The Foundation also has supported special programs including a District Art Gallery and high school leadership programs.
For more information about the Plainfield Foundation for Excellence or to donate, please visit: www.d202foundation.org.