Goddard Education Foundation -

Small Station, BIG Impact!

Sometimes innovation in the classroom looks like a dedicated corner of a classroom where breakthroughs happen every single day.

Meet the students of Mrs. Toribio’s Mixed Abilities class at Amelia Earhart Elementary. For these incredible learners, staying regulated, focused, and ready to learn can sometimes feel like a steep uphill climb. “When students are dysregulated they are unable to engage in learning thus losing precious academic time,” shares Mrs. Toribio. “Many students in the Mixed Abilities program can spend a lot of their day in a dysregulated state due to delays in social/emotional learning.”

To help combat this and increase learning time in her classroom, Mrs. Toribio, with the help of a Goddard Education Foundation (GEF) Innovative Teacher Grant, was able to build a brand new Sensory Station directly into her students’ daily learning rotations. Instead of leaving the classroom to regulate, students now have a proactive, independent space right in the classroom to decompress, stimulate fine and gross motor skills, and reset their bodies.

“Utilizing the Sensory Station, which includes different physical manipulatives like stepping stones, balance boards, textured floor mats and tunnels, provides that crucial regulation,” shared Mrs. Toribio. “By providing students with tools that help them to regulate their physical and emotional needs we are able to increase the time our students are in a ready-to-learn state.”

By providing the sensory station, Mrs. Toribio isn’t just teaching academics, she is teaching lifelong regulation skills for independence and success.

Thank you Mrs. Toribio for your dedication and creative teaching, and to the GEF for funding an Innovative Teacher grant that helps ensure every student has the tools, space, and support to thrive.

The “magic” of USD 265 doesn’t just happen in one place, it happens in our classrooms, hallways, kitchens, and on our buses. The Goddard Education Foundation, alongside our Legacy Partners at Lange Real Estate, was thrilled to present the #265Family Award to 15 outstanding staff members who embody the spirit of our District and lead with heart every single day.

Today, we are proud to recognize our winner from Explorer Elementary: Danielle Vequist

"If you've been blessed to work with Danielle you will know how passionate she is about her profession and the kiddos/family's she serves. Not only does she go above and beyond to make those connections with staff, students and their families while at work, but she does so outside of the school setting as well. Danielle can be found spending time cultivating those relationships outside of the work setting as she is queen of organizing/hosting get togethers with her vast groups of work colleagues. Danielle is one to make others feel at home, their voice heard, and that we can truly all make a difference in children's lives. Danielle wears many hats both at work, at the state level and at home; she beautifully melds these together to advocate for the students she so fervently serves. Danielle's service to our #265 district family is irreplaceable."
- Geri Beatty, Co-Worker

This celebration is made possible by Lange Real Estate. Their commitment to recognizing the vital role our staff plays in creating a thriving learning environment ensures our #265Family Heroes feel seen and valued.
In USD 265 we don’t just work together, we lift each other up. Congratulations Mrs. Vequist for proving that we truly are #BetterTogether!

To nominate a staff member for the #265Family Award visit - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqBYiNp1_fBQ0Mhx_qC5-usWNmkBSCI5eF9Lgui-2ipsJxdw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

To learn more about how Lange Real Estate serves our #265Family visit - https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DCFEnmZU4/

No More Pressure: Harmonizing Music at Amelia Earhart Elementary

When most adults think about learning the recorder, they likely recall obnoxious, ear-piercing squeaks. For decades, mastering this instrument has been a challenge for developing elementary students who may not have the manipulative skills needed to cover the tiny open holes that prevent air leaks and the inevitable squeaks.

For 3rd and 4th-grade students at Amelia Earhart Elementary, who have been eagerly waiting for their chance to play a recorder, fine motor skill deficits can quickly crush that excitement. But thanks to the help of a Goddard Education Foundation Innovative Teacher Grant, Amelia Earhart Music Teacher Rochelle Mann is changing the “tune” by introducing Nuvo Recorder+ instruments to her classroom.

These recorders feature soft silicone flaps that seal completely with just a gentle press, an upgrade that allows students of all abilities to achieve the correct tone without the squeaks.

“After sampling the new recorder with a student in my music classroom, he immediately went home and exuberantly told his family how he would be playing the recorder just like all his other classmates,” shared Mrs. Mann.

The immediate emotional impact of this grant is undeniable, particularly for special education learners. By providing these upgraded and adaptive recorders for the entire class, music at Amelia Earhart continues to be an inclusive environment that ensures every student can find success with their instrument.

“Student success is the whole reason I wrote this grant,” explains Mrs. Mann. “I have watched first hand students who were frustrated from day one, who had given up ever playing recorders alongside their peers, instantly thrive when switched to the new recorders. With these recorders, every student can feel that joy, pride, and sense of accomplishment.”

These results won’t stop when students leave Amelia Earhart; elementary instrument success can help build that confidence and contribute to future participation in band or orchestra as they continue their journey through Goddard Public Schools.

Thank you, Goddard Education Foundation, for removing the pressure, allowing students to participate in music with minimal stress or fear of failure… and helping every instrument in our #265Family ring out clear and true!

The “magic” of USD 265 doesn’t just happen in one place, it happens in our classrooms, hallways, kitchens, and on our buses. The Goddard Education Foundation, alongside our Legacy Partners at Lange Real Estate, was thrilled to present the #265Family Award to 15 outstanding staff members who embody the spirit of our District and lead with heart every single day.

Today, we are proud to recognize our winner from Eisenhower High School: Blake Morgan

"He really brings passion to everything he does in the classroom. He also genuinely cares about his students health and mental wellness. He is willing to help out struggling students."
- Emmarie Barger, Student

"Mr. Morgan not only accepts his students with an insane amount of respect, but also with almost a belief in his responsibility for these kids. Rather than the typical teacher title, Mr. Morgan creates a familial feeling in his classroom. Teaching the sciences don't always leave the teacher as a student favorite, but he is the exception. So I nominate Blake Morgan (BMO)."
- Derek Hunsaker, Student

"He has been amazing with my son’s high school career and has been so helpful and kind at all times. He’s a fantastic teacher and a great asset to my son."
- Sara Parker, Parent of Student

"He is very inspirational and makes the classroom a fun environment that makes me want to learn."
- Sophia School, Student

This celebration is made possible by Lange Real Estate. Their commitment to recognizing the vital role our staff plays in creating a thriving learning environment ensures our #265Family Heroes feel seen and valued.
In USD 265 we don’t just work together, we lift each other up. Congratulations Mr. Morgan for proving that we truly are #BetterTogether!

To nominate a staff member for the #265Family Award visit - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqBYiNp1_fBQ0Mhx_qC5-usWNmkBSCI5eF9Lgui-2ipsJxdw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

To learn more about how Lange Real Estate serves our #265Family visit - https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DCFEnmZU4/

Multiplying Potential: The GHS Math Challenge

For many young students, a high school building can feel intimidating. But for a group of third through eighth-grade USD 265 students, math teacher at Goddard High School Joel Burgeson’s innovative GHS Math Challenge is creating an avenue for excitement, belonging, and highlighting academic success.

The idea sparked after the GHS Math Club competed in regional college math relays during the 2024-2025 school year. Seeing how much his high schoolers benefited from the STEM-focused environment, Mr. Burgeson, with the help of his Math Club students, designed a localized event to “spark and maintain interest in mathematics” for younger USD 265 students, giving them an opportunity to experience their own math competition.

During the half-day event on May 7th , 161 top-performing math students (approximately 20 students from each K-8th school) got to take part in a brief math lesson, tackled problems aligned with Kansas Math Standards, completed group mathematical activities, and toured Project Lead the Way labs and math classrooms at Goddard High School; finishing off their field trip with lunch alongside GHS Math Club high schoolers. Elementary teachers praised the event, noting “it was so nice to have an extra incentive that motivated students at the end of the school year and celebrated our top math performers with a fun challenge.”

Beyond test scores, this program builds mathematical confidence in our younger USD 265 students. In fact, freshmen who previously experienced the challenge shared that being in the building made them feel “ more confident that they were prepared to make the transition from middle school to high school.”

“Improving student participation in math and other STEM disciplines was the focus of the GHS Math Challenge,” shares Mr. Burgeson. “Increased effort and math achievement will be the immediate measure that students are learning. Looking forward, this Innovative Teacher Grant provides a powerful investment to expand the program to host even more students from across the District in the future. What do you call that kind of District-Wide dedication to STEM? As Mr. Burgeson puts it: “Answer = SUCCESS!”

Thank you Goddard Education Foundation for helping multiply potential for our #265Family!

The “magic” of USD 265 doesn’t just happen in one place, it happens in our classrooms, hallways, kitchens, and on our buses. The Goddard Education Foundation, alongside our Legacy Partners at Lange Real Estate, was thrilled to present the #265Family Award to 15 outstanding staff members who embody the spirit of our District and lead with heart every single day.

Today, we are proud to recognize our winner from Clark Davidson Elementary: Ana Jimenez

"She always makes sure the kids are happy and is always positive around kids and staff."
- Jimena Saenz, Student

This celebration is made possible by Lange Real Estate. Their commitment to recognizing the vital role our staff plays in creating a thriving learning environment ensures our #265Family Heroes feel seen and valued.
In USD 265 we don’t just work together, we lift each other up. Congratulations Mrs. Jimenez for proving that we truly are #BetterTogether!

To nominate a staff member for the #265Family Award visit - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqBYiNp1_fBQ0Mhx_qC5-usWNmkBSCI5eF9Lgui-2ipsJxdw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

To learn more about how Lange Real Estate serves our #265Family visit - https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DCFEnmZU4/

The Lion’s Pride: Giving Every Student a Voice Through ELA and Journalism

At Clark Davidson Elementary, the news is spreading fast… literally. Thanks to an Innovative Teacher Grant from the Goddard Education Foundation, one 4th-grade teaching team is taking learning beyond the traditional textbook through an ambitious project: The Lion’s Pride Newspaper.

The project focuses on creating an inclusive educational environment that provides learners various and unique opportunities to demonstrate their understanding. Whether a student is a gifted writer, an English Language Learner, or someone navigating the challenges of dyslexia, these resources provide a platform where students can thrive.

"This grant allows us to meet the needs of all our learners in non-traditional ways," the 4th-grade team, Rachel Dodge and Shanae Riggs, shared. "It’s about breaking down barriers so students can demonstrate their understanding through multiple means of representation."

The GEF grant provided two critical components to make this possible:

* Professional Journalism Tools: Cameras and supplies for The Lion’s Pride Newspaper, an after school club, where students capture stories throughout the school day, conduct interviews, write features, and practice real-world STEM and literacy skills. The finished product… The CDS Lion’s Pride Newspaper.

* Specialized Literacy Resources: Specialized books designed for students with dyslexia remove reading barriers, ensuring that even those who struggle with traditional reading have the tools to build confidence and excel in ELA.
The impact of executing these two tools is already being felt in more than just test scores. It’s visible in the student who, once hesitant to read, now holds a physical book designed for their specific needs. It’s seen in the young reporter interviewing their peers, building communication skills that will last a lifetime.

"The effect of true inclusion in the classroom cannot be measured with exact data alone," says the team. "Success is shown in how our students interact with their school, their peers, and the world around them."

Your generosity to the Goddard Education Foundation ensures that programs like The Lion’s Pride Newspaper and Literary Resources can continue to grow. When you support GEF, you aren’t just funding a newspaper—you’re ensuring that every student has a sense of belonging and a way to share their story.

Growing Beyond the Classroom: How the GHS Pollinator Garden is Rooting Science in Real-World Success

At Goddard High School, science education isn't just about reading text or memorizing formulas, it is about getting your hands dirty.

For decades, GHS has been the home of an Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site (OWLS), a mature, native grass and pond ecosystem. It is a beautiful space to look at, but for some students, just looking isn’t enough. As GHS Science Teacher Darcie Lowry notes, “Since the OWLS area is primarily established native perennials and grasses, it is more to look at than work with.” They need to build, tend, and discover the “fruits” of their labor.

With the help of an Innovative Teacher Grant, Mrs. Lowry aims to cover the upfront funding to build a Pollinator Garden to expand the hands-on, outdoor tactile learning students can experience.

Every year, students at GHS have the opportunity to enroll in Ecology. For many of these students, this course is a practical choice for those eyeing a “career-over-college” pathway. These are students who thrive when learning is tactile and directly tied to real adult life. Unfortunately, meaningful hands-on learning often carries a high material cost. Mrs. Lowry explains, “Gardening of any type is a fantastic way to bridge classroom learning to real-life application. Most adults will eventually find themselves interested in gardening of some variety regardless of career.”

While the existing OWLS site offers an incredible ecosystem to observe, it is largely self-sustaining and doesn’t offer very many hands-on opportunities. To bridge this gap, Mrs. Lowry and the GHS science department envisioned a brand-new, highly interactive space located right in front of the school greenhouse. By establishing a dedicated, semi-maintained pollinator garden, science transitions from a passive lecture into an active workspace. To maximize the grant’s impact, the science department has already partnered with District Maintenance and Facilities to provide the topsoil, rock, and weed barriers at no cost to the program.

Through this Innovative Teacher Grant, the GHS Pollinator Garden will introduce a structured, collaborative layout featuring a rear bed of native perennials and a front rock bed containing a raised garden bed for every lab table group of 2 to 4 students.

The beauty of the GHS Pollinator Garden lies in its long-term viability. While the upfront grant funding is critical to build the infrastructure, the garden is designed to be completely self-sustaining in the years to follow, requiring little to no additional funding as future classes handle the seasonal upkeep.

What starts as a specialized project for 50 Ecology students will blossom to impact nearly every student in the building. The garden will serve as a core resource for Biology classes, a required class for all GHS students, and will remain open to any class looking to take a restorative brain break or read in a vibrant, natural environment.

The garden is already contributing in big ways to the Goddard Community. GHS students helped propagate, cultivate, and grow plants that were used as part of the Goddard Plant Swap in conjunction with Neighbors United in April. This hands-on experience directly reinforces the real-world value of their hard work.

By funding the GHS Pollinator Garden, you are investing in a tangible, lasting resource that gives hardworking, career-minded students the practical skills, pride, and environmental stewardship they need to grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

The Goddard Education Foundation is excited to introduce the Goddard Public Schools Hall of Fame Class of 2026!

Established in 2018, the Hall of Fame celebrates, honors, and recognizes the extraordinary service, success, and achievements of our alumni, retired staff, and dedicated friends of education.

Join us in celebrating the Class of 2026:

* Dan Buchanan, Former Educator & Coach
* Dr. Mary Cohen (Shinogle), Goddard High School Class of 1986
* Jerry Longabaugh, Former Educator, Administrator, and Current USD 265 Board of Education Representative
* Dr. Christopher Warren, Goddard High School Class of 1992
* Dr. Michael Vivion, Goddard High School Class of 1962

Save the Date!
Please join us on September 18, 2026, to celebrate the Class of 2026.
Keep an eye out for event details, registration opens in July.
Stay tuned as we highlight each of our individual inductees in the coming weeks. Let's join together to celebrate the past and inspire the future of Goddard Public Schools.

Learn more about the Goddard Hall of Fame and read about past Honorees HERE or https://www.goddardef.org/o/gef/page/hall-of-fame .

Independence and Adaptive Tools for Mixed Abilities Learners

For many K-4 students in the Mixed Abilities program at Oak Street Elementary, the physical act of handwriting can be an exhausting roadblock; one that often can lead to deep frustration, sensory overload, and a desire to give up.

Thanks to a Goddard Education Foundation (GEF) Innovative Teacher Grant, Oak Street Elementary Mixed Abilities Teacher, Mrs. Bally is tearing down those barriers and redefining what “writing” tools look like. With funding from the grant, her Mixed Abilities classroom introduced adaptive writing tools, specifically specialized letter and number stamps along with flexible, sensory-friendly seating.

By using stamps, students who struggle with fine motor skills can now independently spell words, construct sentences, and solve math problems with minimal staff support. The stamps aren’t replacing pencil and paper but instead, serve as a bridge that allows students to show what they know without being held back by a pencil grip.

Coupled with flexible seating that helps students stay calm, regulated, and in a “ready-to-learn” state, these tools are completely transforming the classroom environment. Best of all, these resources are entirely mobile, traveling with students as needed.

By taking the physical struggle out of the equation, Mrs. Bally is boosting classroom focus and giving students independence in learning.

Thank you Goddard Education Foundation for helping fund opportunities to bridge the gap for all types of learners in Goddard Public Schools.

The “magic” of USD 265 doesn’t just happen in one place, it happens in our classrooms, hallways, kitchens, and on our buses. The Goddard Education Foundation, alongside our Legacy Partners at Lange Real Estate, was thrilled to present the #265Family Award to 15 outstanding staff members who embody the spirit of our District and lead with heart every single day.

Today, we are proud to recognize our winner from Apollo Elementary: Amy Kalinich

My daughter Cora is in Mrs. Kalinich’s 1st grade class this year. My husband and Cora’s dad, Kyle, has been away at pilot training for the Air Force for the whole school year. His birthday was at the beginning of February. I had made a simple Facebook post asking friends and family to send him a card in order to try and make his birthday special, even though he couldn’t be home. Mrs. Kalinich saw my post and decided to incorporate card making into her lesson plans. She let Cora tell the class about her dad and what he was doing, and each student made him a birthday card. Mrs. Kalinich shipped the package of cards to Kyle, and he was so grateful when he opened it and saw a handmade card from each and every student in her class. She went above and beyond not only to help make Kyle’s day special, but to acknowledge what challenges our family has gone through this year. In what has been a tough year with her dad out of town, Cora could not have been more excited to get to share about him with her class and to watch him open and read every card she and her classmates made for him.
- Kaci Kozik, Parent of Student

This celebration is made possible by Lange Real Estate. Their commitment to recognizing the vital role our staff plays in creating a thriving learning environment ensures our #265Family Heroes feel seen and valued.
In USD 265 we don’t just work together, we lift each other up. Congratulations Mrs. Kalinich for proving that we truly are #BetterTogether!

To nominate a staff member for the #265Family Award visit - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqBYiNp1_fBQ0Mhx_qC5-usWNmkBSCI5eF9Lgui-2ipsJxdw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

To learn more about how Lange Real Estate serves our #265Family visit - https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DCFEnmZU4/

From Spectators to Scientists: Shattering the Ceiling in Goddard Chemistry Labs

For many high school chemistry students, advanced science can feel overwhelming. While Honors Chemistry students at Goddard High School are capable of grasping complex scientific concepts like intermolecular forces, thermal separation, and purification, their practical experience was hitting a ceiling due to the lack of professional-grade equipment.

With the help of a Goddard Education Foundation (GEF) Innovative Teacher Grant, Goddard High School Chemistry teacher, Jerod Horsch sought to shatter the ceiling by adding professional-grade Liebig condensers to his Honors Chemistry classroom. This project allows him to introduce advanced, multi-step distillation and purification techniques, typically reserved for university-level chemistry courses.

With this equipment, students won’t just read about boiling points; they will actively manipulate them. By having multiple condensers available to students, this innovative grant moves the classroom away from teacher-led demonstrations to true, hands-on collaborative learning.

“This hands-on exposure fosters scientific thinking, strengthens laboratory technique, and bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application," shared Horsch.

Ultimately, this grant isn’t just purchasing glassware, it is investing in confidence. By exposing our Chemistry students to college-level techniques early, we are bridging the gap between high school theory and professional practice, giving them the exact skills and competitive edge they need to become the next generation of STEM innovators.

Thank you, Goddard Education Foundation for your continued investment and support for students and staff of Goddard Public Schools.

Toot the Flute that Makes You Tap Your Boot!

For many elementary students, learning to play the recorder in 3rd and 4th grade is their very first introduction to reading music and playing an instrument. But traditional recorders come with a hidden challenge; they require precise finger dexterity to completely seal the tone-holes. For young beginners or students with fine motor challenges, this can quickly turn a fun music lesson into a frustrating experience.

Thanks to a Goddard Education Foundation Innovative Teacher Grant, Apollo Elementary Music Teacher Sarah Ashcraft is changing the game.

With her grant funding, Mrs. Ashcraft purchased innovative Nuvo Recorders. These special instruments feature rubber finger flaps that help small hands easily seal the holes, guaranteeing immediate success for all beginners.

“These will be great beginning instruments for not only learning the recorder in elementary school, but also future instrumental programs as they progress through Goddard Public Schools," shares Ashcraft.

What makes this project truly special is its inclusivity. Because every student uses the same beginner instrument, students in the Special Education program who need a little extra physical support blend right in with their peers, no one stands out, and everyone succeeds together. As an added bonus, the instruments perfectly match the Apollo Panthers and Eisenhower Tigers school colors!

By removing the physical barriers to making music, Mrs. Ashcraft is not only helping 3rd and 4th graders at Apollo Elementary build academic reading and rhythm skills, she’s also paving the way for the next generation of USD 265 band students

We are thrilled to announce our 2026 #265Family Award Winners from across the district. As we know, the magic of USD 265 doesn’t just happen in one place, it happens in our classrooms, hallways, kitchens, and on our buses. These fifteen individuals represent the very best of our district, going above and beyond their daily duties to inspire our students and support their colleagues.

Please join us in congratulating this year’s winners, each representing a different school and department across the District. Each winner has been awarded a $100 cash prize as a token of our appreciation for their profound dedication to the #265Family.

Amy Kalinich - 1st Grade Teacher, Apollo Elementary School
Ana Jimenez - Nutrition Services, Clark Davidson Elementary School
Blake Morgan - Science Teacher, Eisenhower High School
Danielle Vequist - Physical Therapist, Explorer Elementary School
Dwane Scheidt - Mechanic, USD 265 Transportation
EHS Building Engineer Team - Building Engineers, USD 265 Maintenance
Jordan Brown & Ben Jervis - Band Instructors, Discovery Intermediate School
King Sanders - Instructional Support Teacher, Eisenhower Middle School
Megan Alexander - Counselor, Challenger Intermediate School
Mellisa Schwartz - Receptionist, USD 265 District Office
Mira Mullen - Speech Language Pathologist, Oak Street Elementary School
Misti Carmichael - Paraprofessional, Goddard High School
Patty Butherus - Science Teacher, Goddard Middle School
Randi Ornelas - Speech Language Pathologist, Amelia Earhart Elementary School
Sara Read - Special Education Teacher, Goddard Academy

A Special Thank You to Lange Real Estate This celebration would not be possible without the incredible generosity of our community partners. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Lange Real Estate for their partnership with the Goddard Education Foundation. Their commitment to recognizing the vital role our staff plays in creating a thriving learning environment is truly inspiring. Because of their support, we are able to ensure our #265Heroes feel seen and valued.

To every staff member who was nominated: please know that your hard work does not go unnoticed. Every nominee will receive a copy of their nomination letter and a special certificate to commemorate the profound difference they make every single day. To the nominators, who took time to shine a light on the incredible work of our staff and educators, THANK YOU! The affirming stories recognizing their impact made a lasting difference to the nominees.

In USD 265, we don’t just work together, we lift each other up. Thank you for proving once again that we truly are better together!

With gratitude,
The Goddard Education Foundation

Cultivating Inclusion: The EHS Adaptive Accessible Garden

At Eisenhower High School, the Life Skills program serves an incredible group of students with multiple disabilities who require adaptive environments to truly unlock their potential. Because many of these students utilize wheelchairs or other mobility supports, traditional outdoor activities are often out of reach.

With the help of an Innovative Teacher Grant, Brady Helton, Eisenhower High School Life Skills teacher, created an accessible garden space at EHS to create more hands-on learning opportunities for his students. “The reality is that many of our students face unique physical boundaries every day,” explains Mr. Helton. “When a student in a wheelchair wants to participate in an outdoor activity but physically can’t reach it, it limits their learning. This project is all about removing those barriers and providing access to meaningful, engaging activities that support life skills and vocational goals.”

The EHS Adaptive Accessible Garden project is changing the narrative by creating a universally designed outdoor learning space where students of all abilities can actively participate, grow, and thrive.

Unlike traditional gardens, these uniquely shaped wheelchair-accessible raised garden V-beds are engineered specifically for both seating and standing access. By allowing a wheelchair to roll right up under the framework, students with physical disabilities can reach the soil, plant seeds, pull weeds, and maintain the garden independently or with minimal support.

This project expands upon the Life Skills classrooms’ indoor hydroponics system. Having already mastered seed planting and basic plant care indoors, students now have the opportunity to transition their skills to outdoors. “Our students have done a wonderful job exploring seed planting indoors, but this new outdoor garden will extend that experience,” shares Helton.

The true harvest of this garden will come in the way of social inclusion and tactile learning. This project will directly benefit Life Skills students at EHS, while partnering with the Mixed Abilities program and general education peers to make the garden a shared campus hub.

“We don’t want this to be an isolated project,” Helton emphasizes. “These shared learning experiences will strengthen our entire school community.”

Thank you to the Goddard Education Foundation and donors for establishing an equitable space for ALL USD 265 students to enjoy.

Science, Service, and Connection: Bridging the Generational Gap

A word commonly used to describe high schoolers is “Apathetic.” It’s a label often unfairly placed on students seen tucked behind phone screens, seemingly checked out from the world around them. But Goddard High School science teacher Abbie Griffith asked a different question: “Do we provide students a chance to connect? Do we help them see the value they bring to others?

With the help of an Innovative Teacher Grant from the Goddard Education Foundation (GEF), two Freshman Physical Science classes recently traded their desks for “mobile science stations” at Dove Estates, a local senior living facility. Their mission? To host a hands-on science fair for residents.

This grant provided the specialized, durable supplies needed to take science on the road. From inertia hats to homemade lava lamps, these Freshman students transitioned from learners to experts. Students not only learned the content and science behind each activity, but they also prepared the presentations, introduced the activities, and explained the science all with the hope of creating special moments for both generations.

“My students have so much to offer and just don’t realize it yet because they don’t have enough opportunities to shine,” says Griffith. By teaching others, their own understanding of science deepens, but more importantly, they experience the “feel-good” power of serving others.”

The impact was immediate for both the students and the residents. For the seniors, it was a day of discovery and youthful energy; for the students, it was a lesson in civic responsibility that no textbook could provide.

Mason Wright, a Freshman student in Mrs. Griffith’s class reflected on his experience,
“This was an awesome opportunity for me. I love it when I can take just 5 seconds out of my day and make someone smile for me. Getting to work with these residents and teaching them something, and even getting to hear about their school stories was truly a blast! If I could be known for something, I would want it to be for always having a smile on my face. Being able to take time out of our school day and teach them tiny experiments that they have never seen before is heartwarming. This had a super positive impact on me because it shows something so tiny to us can be so big and meaningful to someone else, and I am just so thankful that I got to have that impact on them and make their day just a tiny bit better!”

By investing in this project, the GEF is helping turn “apathy” into “action,” proving that the best way to support a student’s academic growth is to empower them to serve their community. Students left Dove Estates with more than just scientific data, they left with the confidence that comes from knowing they made someone else’s day a little brighter. This project proves that the best way to support a student’s academic growth is to empower them to serve their community.

The success of this project would not be possible without the generous support of the GEF and its donors. Your investment did more than purchase supplies; it provided a bridge between generations. By supporting Innovative Teacher Grants like this one, you ensure that Goddard students don’t just learn about the world but how to change it for the better. Thank you for believing in our teachers and empowering our students to lead.

“Scooting to Inclusion”

At Oak Street Elementary, the Goddard Education Foundation (GEF) exists for one reason: to generate transformational impact for students like Asher.

Asher is a student at Oak Street Elementary with diverse learning needs who, like any other child, simply wants to participate alongside his peers. One afternoon in the gym, his adaptive P.E. teacher, Carolyn McDaneld, watched as Asher looked on while his classmates raced across the floor on scooters. The desire in his eyes was clear, he wanted to join them.

Mrs. McDaneld knew that “good enough” wasn’t enough for Asher. After researching equipment, she submitted an Innovative Teacher Grant to the GEF for a specialized adaptive scooter. This tool is specifically designed to bridge the gap between a physical barrier and total independence for students like Asher.

“As an Adaptive PE teacher we do our best to modify and adapt activities so our students are socially included and to help build confidence as they interact with their peers,” shares Mrs. McDaneld. This program will provide adaptive scooters for students in Life Skills and Mixed Abilities classrooms across the USD 265 District.”

Because of the generosity of our Staff Givers and community partners, that dream became a reality.

When the scooter finally arrived, the atmosphere in the gym was electric. As Mrs. McDaneld and a team of educators helped Asher settle into his new ride, the anticipation was visible. And then, in a moment that no one in that room will ever forget, Asher was off. He was scooting.

The joy was immediate. The independence was undeniable. There were tears in the gym that day as a team of educators, who had partnered so closely with Asher’s family, watched a barrier vanish. What any parent would define as "success" for their child came to life in that moment of belonging.

To learn more about the Adaptive Scooter, check out this short video!

When you give to the Goddard Education Foundation, these are the moments you create. You aren't just funding a grant; you are removing a barrier for students like Asher and many more who will benefit from the Adaptive Scooter. You are ensuring that ALL students, regardless of their needs, have the opportunity to fully engage, thrive, and succeed.

Fueling Innovation with EarhART

At Amelia Earhart Elementary, the halls are no longer just corridors, they are a rotating museum of student imagination. While the school currently operates without a designated art class, teacher Angi Webster saw an opportunity to ensure creativity didn’t fall through the cracks. With the support of an Innovative Teacher Grant from the Goddard Education Foundation, Webster launched “EarhART,” a school-wide initiative that turns every student into a featured artist.

“Our teachers incorporate art whenever they can, but resources and time are often limited,” Webster explains. “EarhART was designed to fill the gap, engaging the entire school community through themed gallery exhibits.” EarhART is a school-wide program designed to fill the artistic gap.

Instead of a traditional classroom setting, EarhART turns the entire school into a living gallery. Each quarter, students are challenged with a themed creative project—like the Spring quarter project "Falling into Creativity" exhibit, which combines nature, print media, and the vibrant colors of autumn.

The impact goes deeper than paint and paper. By integrating art history, science, and literacy into each theme. EarhART helps over 500 students in grades K-4 develop the fine motor skills and critical thinking necessary for success in all subjects. Perhaps most importantly, it invites families to be a part of the process, celebrating student achievements through quarterly gallery walks.

"EarhART brings art to Earhart," says Webster. "It’s about building momentum and showing our students that their creativity has a permanent home here."
Thanks to your generosity, the school was able to purchase the initial supplies and gallery display materials needed to make this vision a reality. Now, with a permanent gallery space and plans for an after-school art club, the future at Amelia Earhart Elementary is looking much more colorful.

Check out this video to learn more about EarhART at Amelia Earhart Elementary!

Your support of the Goddard Education Foundation makes “aha moments” like these possible. When you give, you aren’t just buying supplies, you’re fueling the innovation that makes our schools unique.

Quick Reads, Big Impact: Meet Explorer Elementary’s Newest Library Addition

Walking into a library can be a daunting experience for a young reader. For some, the jump from colorful picture books to dense chapter books feels like a big step. At Explorer Elementary, Librarian Tammy Spencer is launching a new initiative to ensure no student feels behind on that journey.

The Quick Reads project, funded with the help of a Goddard Education Foundation Innovative Teacher Grant, is a strategic “bridge” to help turn reluctant readers into confident bookworms.

Quick Reads are short, high-interest books designed to increase reading and confidence. These aren’t just shorter books; they’re engaging fast-paced stories with bold print and frequent illustrations, perfect for students who need to build their reading stamina.

“I am committed to fostering a love of reading and ensuring all students have access to materials that support literacy development,” shared Mrs. Spencer. “The new Quick Reads book section is specifically designed to engage students in shorter chapters, more illustrations to help build confidence, fluency, and comprehension skills.”

Innovation isn’t just about the books; it’s about the experience. This Innovative Teacher grant not only funded new Quick Reads books but also dynamic, rotating display cases that move these titles off traditional shelves and into the spotlight. The rotating cases mimic a bookstore’s “Featured” section, making it easy for students to grab-and-go, and is already proving to be highly popular among students.

“With these books, I can ensure that every student has access to books that meet them where they are and inspire them to be lifelong readers,” shares Mrs. Spencer. With over 400 students impacted, Explorer Elementary’s library is building a foundation for lifelong learning. The Quick Reads collection will serve as an essential tool, ensuring every student who walks into the library walks out with a book they feel empowered to read.

Thank you Goddard Education Foundation for helping support the Explorer Elementary Library!