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Teacher Grants

The teacher grant fund application is open for the 2025-2026 school year!
Application is due December 1st, 2025.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

Germantown Community Scholarship Fund, Inc.
Teacher Education Grant Program Overview

For over 20 years, the Germantown Community Scholarship Fund, Inc. (GCSF) has supported graduating seniors in their pursuit of post-secondary education. While student scholarships remain our core focus, the GCSF Board is equally committed to recognizing and supporting the dedicated educators who shape these students’ futures.

Since 2004, GCSF has awarded over $54,000 in grants to 88 Germantown School District educators. Thanks to the continued support of our community and volunteers, the MudSplash Run for Fun, launched in 2015, helps raise funds specifically for teacher grants.

In 2018, we were proud to increase the maximum individual grant amount from $500 to $1,250, and today, up to $5,000 in grants are awarded each year.

Purpose of the Grant Program

We recognize that educators need opportunities for professional development and innovative resources to inspire students and enhance classroom experiences. Unfortunately, budget constraints often limit access to such opportunities. GCSF Teacher Education Grants are designed to:

· Offset the costs of professional development activities such as conferences or workshops
· Support the purchase of classroom supplies
· Fund creative projects aimed at improving student learning and engagement

Each grant provides up to $1,250 in reimbursement for qualifying expenses that directly impact student education.

Eligibility & Criteria

To qualify, applicants must be employed by the Germantown School District at the time of both application and reimbursement.

Grants may be used to reimburse:
1. Professional development (excluding travel/lodging)
2. Classroom supplies
3. Educational projects that enhance student or faculty learning

Additional criteria:
· Maximum one grant per teacher per year
· Grants cannot exceed $1,250 without Board approval
· Teachers receiving $1,000+ in similar funding from another source are ineligible
· Grants must be used within the academic year of approval or the following year (unless otherwise pre-approved)
· Preference is given to new projects or initiatives

Grant Timeline: 2025–2026

Application Deadline: December 1, 2025
Award Notification: January 2026
Recognition Event: May 20th, 2026 7pm, at Senior Scholarship Awards Night

Application Review & Selection Process

The GCSF Grant Committee, appointed by the Board of Directors, will evaluate applications based on established criteria. No member of the committee may participate in reviewing applications if a spouse or family member has applied.

Selection Criteria Include:
· Project Design: Clear description of the project, its purpose, and expected educational impact
· Target Audience: Defined student/faculty population that will benefit
· Educational Value: Demonstrated grounding in effective teaching practices
· Creativity: Innovative approaches to teaching and learning
· Impact: Potential for meaningful, lasting benefits
· Alignment with GCSF Mission: Support of the Fund’s overall goal

Grant Disbursement

Grants are reimbursed upon submission of:
· Original receipts or invoices
· Proof of payment
· Documentation consistent with the approved application

Mail required documentation to:
GCSF Grant Committee W180 N11501 River Lane Germantown, WI 53022
OR given email in the acceptance letter

Reimbursement checks will be issued by the GCSF Treasurer following approval.

Questions?

Contact the Germantown Community Scholarship Fund for additional information at info@gscf.org.

Congratulations 2024-25′ Grant Recipients

  • Shawn Burns, Amy Bell PE Teacher: To implement a NFL Training Camp for all Amy Bell students the week of the Super Bowl as an annual tradition that fosters teamwork, discipline, athletic skills, and physical fitness in a fun environment.
  • Joy Keagle, County Line 4K Teacher: To purchase a Small Light Table and accessories to be shared between all 4K classrooms to enhance math and literacy skills through play.
  • Paige Kaune, County Line Speech Therapist: To create a shared book reading space in the speech therapy room to enhance focus and engagement for students.
  • Kelsey Bayless, KMS Counseling: To create a universal calming space for students to have a designated environment for emotional regulation support and a calm place for school counselors to facilitate small group discussions/lesson topics. 

Congratulations 2023-24′ Grant Recipients

  • Kaitlyn Kurtzweil – County Line Kindergarten Special Education: Awarded funding for TouchChat app to help students who have difficulty communicating with their voice.
  • Kelly Herbst – Rockfield Grades 3-5 Reading Specialist:  Awarded funding for continuing education, ‘Shifting the Balance’, a course that focuses on bringing the science of reading into grades 3-5 by reconsidering best practices.
  • Amy Martin – Amy Belle 2nd Grade Teacher: Awarded funding to purchase 30 take-home chapter books and folders to promote social studies and science-based learning at home.
  • Joy Keagle – Rockfield 4K Teacher: Awarded funding for a double-sided magnetic design center board and accessories, to be used in small groups for creative designing, literacy, math activities and STEM/engineering experiences.
  • Corey Ahrens – KMS 8th Grade Teacher: Awarded funding to purchase items at the Crusader Mart for students who earn ‘Crusader Cash’ by exemplifying the KMS way through being safe, respectful, and responsible.
  • Steve Martin – GHS 9-12 Business/Marketing Teacher: Awarded funding for 4 years of membership in DECA+ subscription, which will aid DECA students and business/marketing courses with case studies, sample exams, etc.
  • Becky Wittemann – KMS 6-8 Grade Counselor: Awarded funding to purchase art supplies for ‘Getting at the ART of Me’ counseling group and a ‘Creative Calming Corner’ for the counseling office.

Congratulations 2022-23′ Grant Recipients

  • Amy Willard, KMS 8th Grade Math Teacher: To implement a new teaching practice based on ‘Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics’ where vertical dray erase boards are used to increase student thinking, engagement, and collaboration.
  • Amy Brehmer, KMS Spanish 7th and 8th Grade Teacher: To purchase Spanish Readers for the Spanish classroom so that students can choose from a variety of current and age-appropriate Spanish books to free read as the class starts, improving engagement, connection, and Spanish reading skills.
  • Brooke Gronitz, GHS Special Education Teacher, Beyond 18 Program: To start up a popcorn business for special education students. Students will learn all the steps in a business process from making, delivering, selling, and collecting/depositing funds which will help prepare and transition them to work experiences in the community.
  • Heather Janke, KMS 7th grade Math Teacher: To implement a new teaching practice based on ‘Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics’ where vertical and moveable dray erase boards are used to increase problem solving, engagement, and collaboration.
  • Nicole Schmitt, County Line Special Education: To purchase C-Pen Readers which allow students to have text-to-speech accommodation for printed/written words. This will allow students with special reading needs to work independently on reading and remain in the classroom while obtaining extra help. This will also free up teachers to help more students.
  • Shawn Burns, Amy Belle 5th Grade Teacher: To purchase 30 sets of speed stacks for K-5 PE program which will be used as a non-traditional athletic activity during winter months where students learn different stacking patterns and formations. This will improve team work, hand-eye coordination, and critical thinking skills while providing exercise for students.

Congratulations 2021-22′ Grant Recipients

  • Joseph Woger, 4th grade at County Line: To design a STEAM Lego Boost Robotics Lab to allow children to create different robot models with motors and sensors.  And bring their creations to life through simple scratch coding commands.  Inspiring children to love learning starts  with fund and with relationships. 
  • Julie Quigley, Kennedy Middle School, Special Education: Purchase equipment for Treadmill and recumbent bike to help students with mobility issues and regulate their body in order to function productively.
  • Jenni Last, Speech and Language Services: Purchase of sensory bins as well as items (rice, popcorn, beans, etc) to put into the bins to engage students in finding a learning target.
  • Tiffany Maryanov, Reading Specialist & Gayle Groth, Amy Belle Elementary School: LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) comprehensive training for teacher to have deeper understanding of the SCIENCE of reading and evidence-based strategies.
  • Wesley Hoopes, GHS, Chemistry, Physics, and AP Physics 1: Funding for solar powered car project.

Congratulations 20-21 Grant Recipients

  • Jeff Thielke, Kennedy Middle School: Purchase of 2 Matter & Form 3D Scanners for “Critical Thinking” skills.
  • Heidi Ludorf, Germantown High School: German Readers for beginners.
  • Lynn Collins, Mac Arthur Elementary: Hands-on plant growing unit.
  • Tim Bauer, County Line Elementary School: iPad for interactive classroom learning.
  • Andy Waller, General Education Diploma option 2: “Life Steps” on resourcefulness, perseverance, and optimistic views.
  • Jon O’Callaghan, Amy Belle Elementary digital portfolio of artwork from kindergarten to senior year. Also a great fundraiser.

Congratulations 2019-20 Grant Recipients

  • Elizabeth Mueller and Stephanie Kaebisch, Grades 9-12, GHS: Grant to purchase “Mindfulness” supplies.
  • Kimberly King,  1st Grade, MacArthur Elementary: Grant to purchase new literature and flexible seating options.
  • Whitney Betanzos, 6th Grade Science, KMS: Grant to purchase a 3D printer.
  • Stacy Stoecklein, Grades 9-12 Science, GHS: Grant to purchase 3-D pens and filaments.
  • County Line Special Education Team, Grades K-5: Grant to purchase updated reading curriculum.
  • Greg Siegert, Grades K-5 Physical Education, Rockfield Elementary: Grant to purchase equipment for a Specially Designed PE setting.

2018-19 Grant Recipients

  • Jennifer Runde, Grades K-8, Elementary School Counselor, Amy Belle – Grant to establish “Mindfulness” program.
  • Ryan Jacobsen, 2nd Grade, MacArthur – Grant to purchase flexible alternative seating for students.

2017-18 Grant Recipients

  • Heidi Timm, Grades 9-12 Functional Skills, GHS – Grant to Implement a student run coffee shop in collaboration with special education and regular education students.
  • Jeff Schreiber, Library Media Specialist, GHS – Grant to invite author Andrew Maraniss to speak to students at GHS and Kennedy middle school.
  • Dawn Books Kosanke, Kindergarden, MacArthur – Grant to purchase learning tools a.k.a. toys that can be used to allow children to play creatively and cooperatively.
  • Janel Gliniecki, Grades 9-12 Odysseyware Credit Recovery and ILC Study Hall, GHS – Grant to purchase alternative types of seating for the classroom.
  • Jeffery Thielke, Project Lead the Way, Plastic Technology and Technology Education, KMS – Grant to purchase a maker bot replicator mini +3-d printer.
  • Mark McClellan, Grades 11-12 Environmental Science, GHS – Grant to continue the pond trail that was started last year to link the three pond ecosystems together
  • Lori Herden, K-5th Grade, Amy Belle – Grant on behalf of all Amy Belle teacher to engage students in the STEM (science/technology/engineering/math) activities with app driven mini robots called Meeper Bots.

2016-17 Grant Recipients

  • Tiffany Brewer/Angela Dora/Mary Van Slett, 3rd grade, MacArthur – Grant to purchase one DC-21 Epson document camera.
  • Nicole Leffler/Candice Miller, Early Childhoold Program/Special Education, Rockfield – Grant to expand “Bucket Fillers” program.
  • Jeffery Thielke, Grades 6-8 Tech Ed, KMS – Grant to purchase one Maker Bot Mini Compact 3D printer.
  • Mark McClellan, 11-12th grade environmental science, GHS – Grant to purchase wood supplies and hardware to construct a “floating” trail at the Menomonee River.
  • Gayle Groth, 1st grade, Amy Belle – Grant to purchase materials to support LEGO Education MoreToMath and LearnToLearn curriculum packs.
  • Becky Witteman, School Counselor, KMS – Grant to expand “Mindfullness” program.
  • Lindsay Baranowski, ELL and Spanish, GHS – Grant to attend the WIDA National Conference in October, 2017.
  • Melissa Pecunia, 1st grade, MacArthur – Grant to purchase Stomp Rockets, hand rockets, and/or Air Blasters for Science curriculum.

2015-16 Grant Recipients

  • Vicki Niehus/Linda Krohn, 4th grade, Rockfield – Grant to purchase “Orphan of Ellis Island” books to make a connection to immigrants of Wisconsin.
  • Jocelyn Ritger, 1st grade, Rockfield – Grant to purchase supplies to make a grow light system so students can witness the entire life cycle of the plant in their school garden.
  • Jeanne Kasza, Spanish 1 and 2, GHS – Grant to attend a conference that focused on teaching Spanish proficiency through reading and story telling.
  • Mark McClellan, 11-12th grade environmental science and earth/space science, GHS – Grant to purchase hip boots for students to gather water tests.
  • Tracy Miller, K-5 MacArthur and K-1 Rockfield – Grant to rent a contemporary art exhibit of artist Wyland, marine life artist and conservationist.
  • Stephanie Milmore, GHS – Grant to purchase dry erase boards for auxiliary gym and lower gym to share information in class.
  • Kimberly King, 1st grade MacArthur – Grant to purchase document camera for classroom teaching.

2014-15 Grant Recipients

  • John Gradel, Amy Belle Elementary School  – Grant to purchase educational classroom board games supporting learning in Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies and social skills.
  • Melissa Pecunia, MacArthur Elementary School – Grant to purchase a second document camera that projects onto a Smart Board.