WCEF Announces 2024 Educator Grants

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WCEF is pleased to announce this year’s Educator Grants, 29 in total, supporting a variety of different school and classroom projects across multiple disciplines at every grade level in the Woburn Public Schools.

These grant awards invest more than $28,000 in educational enhancements, including hands-on learning tools, immersive experiences, musical instruments, and interactive classroom technology, all geared to the needs, interests and diversity of our community. WCEF is proud to invest in these projects and to partner with Woburn Educators in their thoughtful approach to meeting the unique needs of today’s students.   

These grants are in addition to the WCEF-funded initiatives supported by multi-year grants from local funders. 

In December, the Winning Home Foundation awarded WCEF a $20,000 grant, which is year 2 of a 3-year commitment to bring the Caring School Community program to Woburn’s Middle Schools.

A Cummings Foundation Grant, awarded in 2021, provides $20,000 annually through a decade of support for the Lexia Program in Woburn elementary schools, funding a proven learning enhancement to help ensure that Woburn students read at grade level, to support their current and future academic success.

This year alone WCEF’s commitment to Woburn’s Schools will total more than $70,000. This investment is only possible with the support of our community.

Moving forward, WCEF continues to benefit from an engaged and committed volunteer board and a strong relationship with Woburn Educators and our Public Schools. WCEF exists to raise money, and we do this very often by promoting the great things that are happening in our schools. Our success during the past ten years is reflective of the spirit of our community, and the power of Woburn Pride.  We are extremely grateful and excited to see all we have achieved together.

WCEF Grant Expands STEM Education in Woburn Elementary Schools

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WCEF is pleased to support the expansion of STEM Programs in Woburn Elementary Schools, with a $7,000 grant to purchase Robotics Kits designed to provide hands-on interactive learning experiences for students in grades K-5.  This funding was requested by elementary educators and builds upon the program originally funded by WCEF in 2019.

This WCEF grant addresses a real need for our schools to adequately prepare students for jobs of the future, by sparking their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) subjects at a young age.  In her grant proposal, Courtney Young explains “In elementary school, students are still learning with their hands and eyes … As students start to develop early literacy and reasoning skills, robotics can help students work through problems visually and experimentally … introducing STEM early increases students interest in the field.”

To build the existing repertoire and expand the use of robotics at all Woburn Elementary Schools, WCEF’s investment will fund the purchase of a Dash Robotics Kit, a Kibo-18 Robotics Kit and 7 Motion Blocks Sets. These robotics kits offer students the opportunity to learn block-based coding using screen technologies and apps, as well as through hands-on wooden block manipulatives.  These learning tools teach young students early coding, and provide a foundational introduction to how robots interact with their environment.

This recent grant award is in addition to the $20,000 in funding awarded in December 2020 to support livestream education in Woburn Middle and High Schools.  Since 2014, WCEF has invested almost $240,000 in Woburn Schools, to support educational initiatives that drive innovation beyond that which is possible with public dollars.  Learn more about WCEF by visiting us online at www.woburnedfoundation.org.

Photo credit: https://kinderlabrobotics.com/kibo/

WCEF Announces 2020 Educator Grants

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The Woburn Community Educational Foundation is pleased to announce our 2020 grant awards to support exciting new projects and educational initiatives in the Woburn Public Schools.  Through the generosity of our community, $19,180 was granted to support 26 diverse classroom-based, whole-school and district-wide programs designed to engage students in interactive learning.  These funds will purchase innovative learning tools, deliver classroom technology enhancements, new educational enrichment programs and expand access to diversified texts across the district, all to support the academic success of today’s students.     

Special thanks to the Kiwanis Club of Woburn for its leadership support of WCEF and to the Winning Home Foundation for its continued partnership support that will fund thirteen of the grants awarded this year.

WCEF is a nonprofit organization formed to increase private investment and community involvement in the Woburn Public Schools.  Grant funds support new projects that cannot be funded by the regular school budget. WCEF raises funds in the community through our Awesome Teacher Tribute Program and the Woburn Hall of Fame and Women’s Forum events.  To help make a difference in our schools, contact WCEF at 781-281-9589 or email us at contactus@woburnedfoundation.org.   

WCEF Announces 2018 Educator Grant Awards

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The Woburn Community Educational Foundation is pleased to announce our 2018 grant awards to support exciting new projects in the Woburn Public Schools.  Through the generosity of our community, $19,012 was granted to support 22 diverse classroom-based, whole-school and district-wide initiatives designed to engage students in interactive learning.  These funds will purchase innovative learning tools, provide professional development opportunities for teachers, deliver classroom technology enhancements and new educational enrichment programs, all to support the academic success of today’s students.

“We were truly impressed by the quality of the proposals we received this year,” comments WCEF Executive Director Maureen Willis, “These requests reflect the real needs of our schools and the commitment of our educators to provide high-quality and meaningful learning experiences for all our students.  We are proud to support their great ideas.”

Special thanks to Reading Cooperative Bank for providing sponsorship support for the Educator Grants Program for the second consecutive year.  We are also grateful for the increased investment by Winning Home Foundation in the potential of Woburn students; this partnership support will fund eight of the grants awarded this year.

WCEF is a nonprofit organization formed to increase private investment and community involvement in the Woburn Public Schools.  Grant funds support new projects that cannot be funded by the regular school budget. WCEF raises funds in the community through our spring Awesome Teacher Tribute and fall Women’s Forum event.  To help make a difference in our schools, contact WCEF at 781-281-9589 or email us at contactus@woburnedfoundation.org.

View more pictures from the grant awards at on our Facebook page!

Our 2017-2018 Educator Grants Program is Now Open!

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Up to $25,000 in Grants to be Awarded to Support
New Educational Initiatives in the Woburn Public Schools

The Woburn Community Educational Foundation is pleased to announce that this year’s Educator Grants Program opened Monday, December 11, 2017.  Educational Professionals from the Woburn Public Schools are invited to apply for funds to support their creative ideas for programs or projects that are not funded by the regular school budget.  Grants of up to $1,000 will be made to support new initiatives at any grade level and in any subject, to include the arts, sciences, literacy, math, social studies, physical education and 21st Century skills.

The deadline for grant applications is Monday, January 22, 2018.  Grant awards will be announced in early March 2018.

2017/2018 Grant Application and Guidelines 

WCEF Announces 2017 Educator Grant Awards!

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WCEF is pleased to announce the list of projects awarded funding as part of the 2017 Educator Grants Awards Program.  These projects were selected through a competitive review process, and reflect outstanding efforts by Woburn Public School teachers to develop innovative and interactive programs designed to engage their students in meaningful learning to support their academic success.

Congratulations to the 2017 Educator Grant Award Recipients

2016-2017 Grants Program is Now Open!

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Our 2016-2017 Grants Program is now open!  Educational Professionals from the Woburn Public Schools are invited to apply for funds to support their creative ideas for programs or projects that are not funded by the regular school budget.  Grants of up to $1,000 will be made to support new initiatives at any grade level and in any subject, to include the arts, sciences, literacy, math, social studies, physical education and 21st Century skills.

“We have been so impressed with the creative, high-impact projects submitted for grant awards during the last two years”, comments Executive Director Maureen Willis.  “The Educators in our public schools have exceeded our expectations, and we look forward with excitement to this year’s grant program.”

The deadline for grant applications is Monday, January 23, 2017.  Grant awards will be announced in early March 2017.

Grant guidelines and applications can be found here: APPLY HERE

Winning Home, Inc. Funds Educator Grants

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The Woburn Community Educational Foundation (WCEF) is proud to announce the receipt of a $5,000 charitable grant from Winning Home, Inc., to support new programs that address the needs of high-risk students in the Woburn Public Schools.  These funds will be distributed as part of this year’s Educator Grant Program, now open for proposals from Woburn Educators.    

This is the second year that Winning Home, Inc. has partnered with WCEF to provide new educational opportunities for Woburn children.  “This generous gift is an important investment in the potential of our most challenged students”, comments WCEF’s Maureen Willis.  “We are so grateful for the continued support of Winning Home, as part of its mission to serve the needs of Woburn’s disadvantaged children and their families.” 

Woburn Educators are invited to submit proposals for grants now through January 23, 2017.  To learn more about WCEF and our Educator Grants Program at www.woburnedfoundation.org.        

 

Pictured at the check presentation:

WCEF Board Members Brian Teague, Sue Ellen Holland, Executive Director Maureen Willis; Winning Home Treasurer/Director Albert “Chip” Curran, WCEF Board Member Robert E. Maguire, Winning Home Board Chair Thomas Martin, WCEF Board Members Nancy Whalen and Maria Zeqo.

2016 Educator Grant Awards Reception

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The Woburn Community Educational Foundation recently held a Reception in the School Department’s Conference Room to award this year’s round of Educator Grants.  Hosted by members of the WCEF Board, the event was attended by the district’s leadership, to include the Superintendents, members of the School Committee, and many Principals, who came together to celebrate the work of 18 teams of teachers awarded $16,479 in funding for their creative school-based projects.

In comments by Executive Director Maureen Willis, she reminded the assembled group that the process to secure a grant award was very competitive this year, due to the high number of requests received from every school in the district.  To the Award Recipients, she noted, “Your projects reflected creativity in teaching and a thoughtful approach to the needs and interests of your students and demonstrated clearly to us the potential they have to advance student achievement.  We are pleased to support your great work and recognize your special role as ambassadors for the Woburn Public Schools as well as the Woburn Community Educational Foundation.”

Five of the grants awarded this year were funding through the generous investment of the Winning Home Foundation.  This organization was formed upon the sale of the Winning Home property in West Woburn, with a mission to serve those most in need among Woburn’s children.  The projects selected are well-matched to this mission, as they will provide tools and experiences to some of our most high-risk and economically disadvantaged students, to give them the inspiration and the support they need to achieve their full educational potential.

WCEF would like to thank our Educators in the Woburn Public Schools and the Greater Woburn community for their support of our Educator Grant Program.  Every parent or community member who recognized an Awesome Teacher, purchased a ticket to the Women’s Forum event, or made a donation of any size to WCEF helped to fund this year’s Educator Grants.  Each should feel proud of the difference they have made to support innovation in the Woburn Public Schools.

The complete list of funded projects can be found here:  WCEF Grants March 2016

Presenting our 2016 Educator Grant Awards!

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The Woburn Community Educational Foundation is pleased to announce our 2016 grant awards to support educator-inspired projects and programs in the Woburn Public Schools.  The continued success of our fundraising activities and the generous investment of local organizations has resulted in a 60% increase in funds available to Woburn Educators this year.  We are grateful for the interest and support of the Greater Woburn Community in our efforts to bring new resources to our Public Schools.   

Our 2015-2016 Educator Grants Program received proposals that totaled more than $46,000 to support projects designed to provide enhanced learning experiences and individualized educational support for students at every school in the district.   We want to thank these educators for the time and effort they put into these proposals and for sharing their creative ideas to support student achievement. 

A Grants Committee, made up made up of members of the WCEF Board, was given the difficult task to review these proposals, and based on the constraints of our budget, recommend for funding projects which most closely met our goals to support innovative instruction, enriched curricula, and the creative use of learning tools and approaches in the classroom.  Through this process, we are proud to announce grant awards totaling almost $16,500 to fund 18 projects that we feel have tremendous potential to engage, excite and advance academic success in Woburn students.  In just two years, WCEF Educator Grants have invested almost $27,000 in the Woburn Public Schools. 

Congratulations to the 2016 WCEF Educator Grant
Award Recipients

 

Woburn Memorial High School:

Rosemary Donovan, Guidance:  $800.00 for EmWave Mindfulness System

Abby Gillis, English:  $1,000.00 for Travis Roy Motivational Speaker

Miller & M. Walsh, History:  $946.00 for Google Viewer Virtual Field Trips

Susan Thifault, Fine Arts:  $1,000.00, GoPro Video Production Program   


Joyce Middle School:

Joanne Young, Grade 8:  $850.00 for Connecting All Students with Technology


Altavesta Elementary School:

Judi O’Neil, Resource Room:  $1,000.00 for Customized Learning with IPads


Goodyear Elementary School:

Bethany Newman, Music Education:  $595.00 for Moving on the Musical Staff

Kathleen Sawyer, School Adjustment:  $1,000.00 for Wonder Books Anti-Bullying Program

Kerri Vasquezi, Life Science/English:  $500.00 for Life Cycle of Raptors Enrichment Program


Hurld Elementary School:

Marlene Faulkingham, Math:  $996.00 for IXL Technology Based Math Program


Linscott – Rumford Elementary School:

Susan Plamondon, 2nd Grade:  $890.00 for Lego Build to Express Program

Cheryl Dabrieo, 3rd Grade:  $890.00 for Lego Build to Express Program

Linda Riley, STEM:  $1,000.00 for AIM Project for Advanced Learners


Reeves Elementary School:

Marie LaCour, Art:  $1,000.00 for Historical Woburn Art Installation

Erin Murphy Dean, Resource Room:  $929.00 for Learning Literacy Technology Center

Bethany Newman, Music Education:  $982.00 for Making Ukulele Music


Shamrock Elementary School:

Pamela Barry, Resource Room:  $501.00 for Social Thinking Curriculums

Alicia McAnulty, Speech & Language:  $800.00 for Visualizing & Verbalizing Program

Thomas O’Halloran, Social Studies:  $800.00 for Virtual Multi-Cultural Classroom