This year, the Goddard Education Foundation, alongside our Legacy Partners, Lange Real Estate, were thrilled to present the #265Family Award to 15 outstanding educators and staff members from across the district, from nominations submitted by grateful families, dedicated students, and fellow staff members, all eager to shine a light on the incredible work being done every day in Goddard Public Schools. The #265Family Award, honors these finalists who not only embody the spirit of our #265Family but also consistently demonstrate a significant, positive impact on our students, staff, or the entire USD 265 school community.
The Transportation Department winner was Lisa Woolard Estes, a USD 265 Bus Driver, who was nominated by Jennie Hundley, a parent. Her nominator wrote, "During the winter storm this school year 2024-25) Mrs. Lisa was bringing the students home from school with bad weather and ice forming on the roads. Mrs. Lisa stayed calm, drove slow and did her best to get the students home safely. Though she still got stuck TWICE. Both times she kept everyone calm and handled the situation like the pro she is. Not once was I worried, we trust her so much with our kids. We have had her as a bus driver for at least 5 years. She is always the most respectful, most loved and the best bus driver we have had. She ended up calling for back up the second time she got stuck to bring my kids home.
She has been the bus driver for some away events for school. Always rooting on the kids and supporting them. She always has a smile on her face greeting them and “see ya tomorrow “. She is definitely loved by our family for the hero she is in so many ways. "
Congratulations again Mrs. Lisa, for all you do make Goddard Public Schools a family!
To nominate a staff member for the #265Family Award visit - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsMNl3z277aZNiN859FaFgJAPZq79zwU47Oi1uH8pqqESvPg/viewform?usp=header
To learn more about how Lange Real Estate serves our #265Family visit https://langere.com/2025/03/14/lange-real-estate-a-proud-legacy-sponsor-of-goddard-public-schools/
There’s a new recording studio at Explorer Elementary, and it’s right inside the 2nd-grade classroom!
Congratulations to Explorer Elementary teacher Leah Whelan and the 2nd grade teaching team on receiving an Innovative Teacher Grant from the Goddard Education Foundation (GEF).
With the help of this GEF teacher grant, Mrs. Whelan is bringing an exciting opportunity to 2nd grade students by creating portable recording studios for the classroom. “These portable recording studios give our young learners a chance to build fluency, learn how to use their voices to convey emotion, and be able to play it back to hear themselves ready! We believe this will be a great tool for students to see what they personally need to work on whether it's building fluency, recognizing punctuation, or changing their voice when a character is talking in a story, they can actually hear how they do that from the recording and be able to make changes. With these recording studios, we are empowering students to take an active role in their education while hitting a variety of standards,” Whelan shared.
This project puts a modern twist on practicing reading aloud, empowering students to use technology and take an active role in their education. It’s an innovative way to support our district-wide goal of creating strong, fluent readers.
The Goddard Education Foundation is so proud to fund creative ideas like this that will impact students for years to come! Thank you, Mrs. Whelan and the Explorer Elementary 2nd Grade team for bringing this vision to our #265Family!
Learn more about past Innovative Teacher Grants and how you can support future grants at https://goddardpsks.sites.thrillshare.com/o/gef/page/teacher-grants
This year, the Goddard Education Foundation, alongside our Legacy Partners, Lange Real Estate, were thrilled to present the #265Family Award to 15 outstanding educators and staff members from across the district, from nominations submitted by grateful families, dedicated students, and fellow staff members, all eager to shine a light on the incredible work being done every day in Goddard Public Schools. The #265Family Award, honors these finalists who not only embody the spirit of our #265Family but also consistently demonstrate a significant, positive impact on our students, staff, or the entire USD 265 school community.
The Clark Davidson Elementary School winner was Addison Misak, the CDS School Nurse, who was nominated by a CDS parent. Her nominator wrote, "Nurse Addison is truly amazing at what she does! Our daughter has medical needs that made us nervous to send her to school. Nurse Addison has great communication, is very diligent with paper work and ensures that our child has exactly what she needs each day. Our daughter always shares conversations she has with the nurse that shows that she goes above and beyond to care for kids. We are so thankful to her! "
Congratulations again Mrs. Misak, for all you do make Goddard Public Schools a family!
To nominate a staff member for the #265Family Award visit - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsMNl3z277aZNiN859FaFgJAPZq79zwU47Oi1uH8pqqESvPg/viewform?usp=header
To learn more about how Lange Real Estate serves our #265Family visit https://langere.com/2025/03/14/lange-real-estate-a-proud-legacy-sponsor-of-goddard-public-schools/
We’re thrilled to celebrate Mr. Neal Zoglmann of Goddard Middle School on his 2025 Innovative Teacher Grant from the Goddard Education Foundation.
In the past, theater was offered as a class at GMS- but thanks to the support of school administration and passionate educators like Mr. Zoglmann, theatre returned this year as an after-school program. What started as a trial quickly proved its value: 80 students showed up to the first interest meeting.
With only 14 roles available in their first show, auditions were tough and interest in crew roles like set design, lighting, and sound was just as strong. Unfortunately, limited resources meant many eager students had to be turned away.
That’s where this Innovative Teacher Grant comes in. With funding for portable lighting, set materials, and more, the program can now expand behind the scenes- giving more students the chance to contribute their creativity. From building sets with the help of the industrial technology teacher to learning leadership and teamwork, students will gain hands-on experience with both technical education and performing arts.
More than a stage, this is a space for belonging for students to find their voice, their confidence, and their community. Mr. Zoglmann shared, “While the success of a show is easy to measure, it’s the journey to curtain call where the real learning happens.”
Join us in applauding Mr. Zoglmann and the GMS team for bringing this spotlight back to the students, giving students a place to ‘shine’.
Learn more about past Innovative Teacher Grants and how you can support future grants at https://goddardpsks.sites.thrillshare.com/o/gef/page/teacher-grants
This year, the Goddard Education Foundation, alongside our Legacy Partners, Lange Real Estate, were thrilled to present the #265Family Award to 15 outstanding educators and staff members from across the district, from nominations submitted by grateful families, dedicated students, and fellow staff members, all eager to shine a light on the incredible work being done every day in Goddard Public Schools. The #265Family Award, honors these finalists who not only embody the spirit of our #265Family but also consistently demonstrate a significant, positive impact on our students, staff, or the entire USD 265 school community.
The Eisenhower Middle School winner was Brett Klepacki, a School Psychologist, who was nominated by an EMS parent. His nominator wrote, "Mr. Klepacki has gone above and beyond with our child (and I'm assuming many others) by supporting him with the special needs he requires to succeed in school. Mr. Klepacki took the reins for assessing/re-assessing our child fully and steering the development of his new IEP. He made us as parents feel "heard," and has gone above the call of duty to make our son feel more confident about getting his homework completed, with building and maintaining friendships, and with staying organized and communicating clearly.
Mr. Klepacki continues to meet weekly with our son to "check in" and determine what additional help is needed. He built a Google Doc for our son to use each day, which helps to communicate what is happening between school and home. We have very much appreciated all the time and effort Mr. Klepacki has made with our child, and we feel he deserves recognition for exceeding his job responsibilities. He doesn't just evaluate and place a child appropriately; he also follows up and makes adjustments to plans when they are needed."
Congratulations again Mr. Klepacki, for all you do make Goddard Public Schools a family!
To nominate a staff member for the #265Family Award visit - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsMNl3z277aZNiN859FaFgJAPZq79zwU47Oi1uH8pqqESvPg/viewform?usp=header
To learn more about how Lange Real Estate serves our #265Family visit
https://langere.com/2025/03/14/lange-real-estate-a-proud-legacy-sponsor-of-goddard-public-schools/
The Goddard Education Foundation is excited to celebrate a creative and impactful project funded by an Innovative Teacher Grant. Abigail Archer, a kindergarten teacher at Amelia Earhart Elementary school saw a need for more fine motor skill activities to help students start their day positively and turned that vision into a reality with the help of an Innovative Teacher Grant.
Students in Mrs. Archer’s class, who begin their morning with Morning Brain Bins, now have additional hands-on STEM based manipulatives that help strengthen fine motor skills, spark imagination, and encourage independent, creative thinking. These rotating Morning Brain Bins are packed with fun, educational tools that let students build, explore, and create from the moment they walk into the classroom.
“This soft start gives students time to calm their minds, get creative, and begin the day with confidence,” shared Mrs. Archer. “It’s an opportunity for them to imagine, problem-solve, and think outside the box, while building skills they’ll use for years to come!”
The Goddard Education Foundation is proud to support innovative teaching that makes a difference every morning and for many years ahead!
Learn more about past Innovative Teacher Grants and how you can support future grants at https://goddardpsks.sites.thrillshare.com/o/gef/page/teacher-grants
This year, the Goddard Education Foundation, alongside our Legacy Partners, Lange Real Estate, were thrilled to present the #265Family Award to 15 outstanding educators and staff members from across the district, from nominations submitted by grateful families, dedicated students, and fellow staff members, all eager to shine a light on the incredible work being done every day in Goddard Public Schools. The #265Family Award, honors these finalists who not only embody the spirit of our #265Family but also consistently demonstrate a significant, positive impact on our students, staff, or the entire USD 265 school community.
The Amelia Earhart Elementary School winner was Jaime Kitzmann, a Kindergarten Teacher, who was nominated by Nicole Lauer, a classroom parent. Her nominator wrote, "This is our first year having a child in school- we were anxious to begin this new chapter. Mrs. Kitzmann quickly gave us a sigh of relief from the moment we met her. Dropping our daughter off to kindergarten on that first day, while the moment was so bittersweet, we just knew our girl was in amazing hands. Our daughter has grown in a number of ways and truly looks forward to going to school each day. To know your child is being taken care of and is having fun while learning just gives you such peace of mind as a parent.
Our daughter has fallen in love with learning and we’ve seen an entirely new little girl since she joined Mrs. Kitzmann’s classroom family. I’ve had the privilege of helping in Mrs. Kitzmann’s classroom each week as well and have seen her in action with her class. This woman was born to be a teacher and it shows. She goes above and beyond for kids and has made learning enjoyable. She treats her class with love and care and has a way to make learning fun and engaging- it’s truly impressive what she’s able to do and the way she does it. We are grateful for her and really feel like she’s one of the best in the business. I could not have asked for a better start to school for my child. The bar has been set so high! I even think new teachers could benefit from watching how Mrs. Kitzmann runs her classroom- it’s just that impressive!"
Congratulations again Mrs. Kitzmann, for all you do make Goddard Public Schools a family!
To nominate a staff member for the #265Family Award visit - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsMNl3z277aZNiN859FaFgJAPZq79zwU47Oi1uH8pqqESvPg/viewform?usp=header
To learn more about how Lange Real Estate serves our #265Family visit
https://langere.com/2025/03/14/lange-real-estate-a-proud-legacy-sponsor-of-goddard-public-schools/
Congratulations to Explorer Elementary's amazing Physical Education teacher, Erin Lawrence!
Mrs. Lawrence is always innovating to bring diverse and engaging activities to her students. Thanks to an Innovative Teacher Grant from the Goddard Education Foundation, over 450 students at Explorer Elementary will have the opportunity to dive into new adventures in PE. With her “Movement and Fun For Everyone” grant, Mrs. Lawrence was able to purchase new portable nets, cornhole boards, and more P.E. equipment to make learning fun and active!
"This equipment allows our students to work on standard-specific skills that help build not only their physical, but their mental, and emotional well-being too,” shared Mrs. Lawrence. Making the connection that movement isn’t just about playing new games; it’s about fostering a lifelong love of activity and developing teamwork and social skills. Students will learn skills in PE that they can take directly into real-world settings and community events.
We love seeing how these grants directly empower our educators and enrich our students' experiences in Goddard Public Schools!
Learn more about past Innovative Teacher Grants and how you can support future grants at https://goddardpsks.sites.thrillshare.com/o/gef/page/teacher-grants
This year, the Goddard Education Foundation, alongside our Legacy Partners, Lange Real Estate, were thrilled to present the #265Family Award to 15 outstanding educators and staff members from across the district, from nominations submitted by grateful families, dedicated students, and fellow staff members, all eager to shine a light on the incredible work being done every day in Goddard Public Schools. The #265Family Award, honors these finalists who not only embody the spirit of our #265Family but also consistently demonstrate a significant, positive impact on our students, staff, or the entire USD 265 school community.
The Challenger Intermediate School winner was Del Dreyer, Head Building Engineer, who had multiple nominations including one by Piper White, a colleague and Challenger Intermediate Teacher. Mrs. White wrote, "Del is the heart of Challenger! I have never met anyone as hardworking, kind and humble as Del Dreyer. He is the definition of selfless. Del plays many roles within our building. He is our locker jam whisperer, snow/ice melter, heater fixer, comedic relief in the hallway, bus facilitator and so much more. Del wears each hat with a smile on his face. If he knew I was nominating him he would not be happy with me as he hates the spotlight, but he is truly Challenger and the Maintenance team hero! "
Congratulations again Del, for all you do make Goddard Public Schools a family!
To nominate a staff member for the #265Family Award visit - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsMNl3z277aZNiN859FaFgJAPZq79zwU47Oi1uH8pqqESvPg/viewform?usp=header
To learn more about how Lange Real Estate serves our #265Family visit
https://langere.com/2025/03/14/lange-real-estate-a-proud-legacy-sponsor-of-goddard-public-schools/
This year, the Goddard Education Foundation, alongside our Legacy Partners, Lange Real Estate, were thrilled to present the #265Family Award to 15 outstanding educators and staff members from across the district, from nominations submitted by grateful families, dedicated students, and fellow staff members, all eager to shine a light on the incredible work being done every day in Goddard Public Schools. The #265Family Award, honors these finalists who not only embody the spirit of our #265Family but also consistently demonstrate a significant, positive impact on our students, staff, or the entire USD 265 school community.
The Apollo Elementary School winner was Candace Brown, Kindergarten Teacher, who was nominated by Elizabeth King, a classroom parent. Her nominator wrote, "When we were enrolling our oldest in Kindergarten last year, I'll admit that we were nervous. He has ten allergies, to foods and chemicals, and many of them are unusual. We were so worried he would feel excluded or singled out or teased, but Mr. C reassured me, saying that he had just the teacher in mind for him and that he would be in good hands. He couldn't have been more right! Mrs. Brown has been so patient and thoughtful about the whole situation and has made it feel like a total non-issue. She's so kind to both my son and I, and he truly looks forward to coming to school every day. I know that he's in such competent and loving hands all day, and I can't tell you how much that means to us. For these reasons, I'd like to nominate Mrs. Brown for making our child feel at home and making us all feel like family. "
Congratulations again Mrs. Brown, for all you do make Goddard Public Schools a family!
To nominate a staff member for the #265Family Award visit - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsMNl3z277aZNiN859FaFgJAPZq79zwU47Oi1uH8pqqESvPg/viewform?usp=header
To learn more about how Lange Real Estate serves our #265Family visit
https://langere.com/2025/03/14/lange-real-estate-a-proud-legacy-sponsor-of-goddard-public-schools/
What an absolutely heartwarming way to conclude an amazing school year in Goddard Public Schools. We are incredibly thankful for the unwavering support and continued partnership of Lange Real Estate.
This year, the Goddard Education Foundation, alongside our Lange Real Estate friends, were thrilled to present the #265Family Award to 15 outstanding educators and staff members from across the district.
The response from our community was overwhelming, with over 65 nominations submitted by grateful families, dedicated students, and fellow staff members, all eager to shine a light on the incredible work being done every day in Goddard Public Schools. One finalist was chosen from each school or department to receive this special recognition and a $100 cash prize.
The #265Family Award, proudly presented by Lange Real Estate, honors these finalists who not only embody the spirit of our #265Family but also consistently demonstrate a significant, positive impact on our students, staff, or the entire USD 265 school community.
Our first #265Family Award winner is , Thomas (Tab) Baughman from the Maintenance Team. Thomas's nominators, J.R. Miller and Ashley Miller, wrote, "It is with great enthusiasm that I nominate Thomas Baughman, a dedicated maintenance and grounds employee, for the #265Family Award. Thomas consistently goes above and beyond in supporting both students and staff throughout the district, making a meaningful impact on the Oak Street School community.
Thomas (Tab) Baughman's contributions to the USD 265 district extend far beyond his official duties. He regularly volunteers his time to support school events, including the Oak Street Thanksgiving Feast, where he carves turkeys, and Oak Street Tiger Tuesday Family Night, where he grills hamburgers and hot dogs for the school community. His selflessness also shines through in his work decorating the Oak Street Courtyard, where he creates beautiful seasonal displays to brighten the school environment. Additionally, Tab ensures that the school grounds and courtyard are well-maintained, personally planting flowers, spreading mulch, and pulling weeds to create an inviting space for students oftentimes on the weekends and on his own time.
Beyond his time and effort spent improving the school’s physical appearance, Tab generously donates to the Oak Street PTO regularly, ensuring that every student’s field trips are fully funded, and all students receive a school t-shirt. He has also contributed to student lunch and breakfast accounts, helping to ensure that no child goes without a meal.
Tab Baughman embodies the spirit of community and dedication. His unwavering commitment to the success and well-being of Oak Street students and staff makes him an invaluable member of our school district. He is truly deserving of this recognition."
Congratulations again Thomas, for all you do make Goddard Public Schools a family, and thank you, Lange Real Estate, for helping us celebrate the heart of our district!
To nominate a staff member for the #265Family Award visit - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsMNl3z277aZNiN859FaFgJAPZq79zwU47Oi1uH8pqqESvPg/viewform?usp=header
To learn more about how Lange Real Estate serves our #265Family visit-
https://langere.com/2025/03/14/lange-real-estate-a-proud-legacy-sponsor-of-goddard-public-schools/
The yellow brick road led straight to an evening of enchantment and generosity at the Goddard Education Foundation’s Oz event on Saturday, March 29, 2025. The Distillery 244 was transformed into a vibrant, whimsical world, where the great and powerful Wizard of Oz met the heart of our community.
From the moment guests stepped through the doors, they were greeted by dazzling Oz-inspired decorations, a testament to the hard work and creativity of our dedicated volunteers. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as volunteers, many dressed in spectacular costumes, and attendees mingled for an evening of fun and philanthropy.
The night unfolded with Live Music provided by The 99 band, a delicious buffet meal by Heart of Country Catering, and desserts provided by Butter Babes Bakery. The generosity of our community was truly inspiring, as attendees participated in the Haunted Forest games, and limited chance games, bid on unique items during the Live Auction, and made direct donations to support Goddard Public Schools students and staff.
This year’s Oz event was particularly special, as it highlighted the GEF’s commitment to the Innovative Teacher Grant Program, a program that helps fund Goddard educator’s most innovative and hands-on learning projects for their classrooms.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our outstanding business partners, individual benefactors, and community leaders whose generous support continues to inspire the work we do. We also want to thank our tireless volunteers. Your dedication and passion were instrumental in creating such a memorable evening.
The success of Oz is a testament to the power of community. We are incredibly proud to be part of a community that values education and invests in the future of our #265Family!
Theatre classes at Goddard High School offer students more than just theatrical experiences. They also provide opportunities to work in a hands-on environment. The Technical Theatre & Stagecraft class offers students hands-on stage design and costuming, necessary elements for GHS Theatre Productions.
Goddard High School Theatre teacher, Jamie Oettle, saw an opportunity to expand her students' skills and address a need for more hands-on learning. She created a costume-making and alterations project, allowing students to create, customize, and alter costumes for upcoming productions. “Working with costumes reaches students in a non-traditional way because of the hands-on approach to measurement, math, angles, understanding and following directions, working with new machinery, and teamwork,” Mrs. Oettle shared. “This is an opportunity for students to add to their skill set that will aid them in possible career opportunities and teach them skills they can use for the rest of their lives.”
With the help of an Innovative Teacher Grant, Oettle was able to purchase both a sewing machine and a serger sewing machine, mannequins, and additional fabric and sewing supplies that will open doors for GHS Theatre students for years to come. Mrs. Oettle’s theatre students were excited to utilize the new equipment as they prepared for their production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
“Students gain a sense of pride when they see actors in one of our productions wearing their costumes or fitted altered costumes,” explained Oettle. Avreya, a GHS Senior and technical theatre student, shared, “I enjoy sewing costumes and learning new tricks with costume design, it’s fun to help the show come to life.” For each production, it takes the entire theatre department coming together, and with the additional resources provided through the Innovative Teacher Grant, the GHS theatre department is able to expand possibilities for the growing program.
With the district growing and resource needs increasing, Goddard Education Foundation Innovative Teacher Grants help bridge the gap, ensuring USD 265 educators have what they need to expand opportunities for the #265Family. Learn more about past Innovative Teacher Grants and how you can support future grants at https://goddardpsks.sites.thrillshare.com/o/gef/page/teacher-grants
Imagine starting your day with a warm Chick-fil-A breakfast, delicious Cofellow coffee, and a heartfelt "thank you." That's exactly what's happening for the dedicated employees of USD 265 in Goddard. The Goddard Education Foundation (GEF), alongside generous local businesses, is visiting every school to serve breakfast to the entire staff. The Staff Appreciation Tour is a tangible thank you for their dedication to students.
Lange Real Estate, Credit Union of America, Hutton Construction, First National Bank of Hutchinson, and Equitable Advisors are all pitching in, proving that in Goddard, supporting education is a community-wide effort. Thank you, GEF business partners for your commitment to education and hard work to help encourage and inspire our #265Family!
Challenger Intermediate School's VEX Robotics Team, comprised of 5th and 6th graders, is thriving in its third year. This extracurricular program provides valuable hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) experience. However, the high cost of quality VEX robotics kits presents a significant financial challenge. To overcome this, team coach and Project Lead the Way teacher, Mr. Mann, applied for and received an Innovative Teacher Grant from the Goddard Education Foundation.
"These VEX Robotics Generation 2 Kits will be transformative for our students," Mr. Mann explained. "They'll prepare them for state and potentially national competitions, while also cultivating crucial career skills like problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking, and coding." The funding directly enhances students' learning and provides the tools they need to succeed.
The team's success is remarkable. Of Challenger Intermediate's eight teams, four have qualified for the state competition, earning four of the 24 available elementary-level spots. They hope to finish in the top three and advance to the World Robotics Competition in Dallas, Texas this spring. But the program's impact goes beyond competition. The students' enthusiasm and collaborative spirit as they design and build their robots clearly demonstrate its positive effect on their education.
Team Charlie, one of Challenger's robotics teams, shared what the program means to them:
"I like seeing all our hard work come together." - Gabby
"Being on the team and helping build, seeing how we can all work together to make something great." - Annabelle
"I like building the robot because it reminds me of building Legos, and I love it!" - Finley
"I like seeing that we can do hard things." - Isabel
Thanks to the Goddard Education Foundation, innovative programs like the VEX Robotics Competition are possible at Challenger Intermediate. To learn how you or your business can support programs like VEX Robotics at Challenger Intermediate, visit https://goddardpsks.sites.thrillshare.com/o/gef/page/partners.
See VEX Robotics in action at Challenger Intermediate
https://www.facebook.com/profile/100068121284933/search/?q=vex%20robotics
Goddard School District kindergarten teachers received a welcome surprise in February: a school supply refresh! ISG Technology and Twin Valley, both partners of the Goddard Education Foundation, organized a company-wide school supply drive and delivered the donations during a teacher in-service day on February 10th.
The timing was perfect, as the delivery came after winter break when classroom supplies are often running low. ISG and Twin Valley recognized this need and their employees stepped up to help in a big way, donating over $2,500 worth of supplies. Kindergarten teachers across the district were both surprised and grateful for the support from this local business. Beyond simply collecting and delivering supplies, ISG/Twin Valley representatives even helped sort and package them for each USD 265 elementary school kindergarten team.
The Goddard Education Foundation deeply appreciates the support of business partners like ISG Technology and Twin Valley, who walk alongside our educators to make a difference for our #265Family. If you have a business and are interested in partnering with the Goddard Education Foundation in 2025 please contact Dane Baxa at danebaxa@goddardusd.com or visit https://goddardpsks.sites.thrillshare.com/o/gef/page/partners.
Many kindergarteners arrive at school with vastly different experiences. As Amelia Earhart kindergarten teacher Mrs. Wollard explained, "Some students don't have bikes or trikes at home and have never learned to ride." To address this, Mrs. Wollard secured an Innovative Teacher Grant to provide scooters, tricycles, and balance bikes for all Amelia Earhart kindergarteners to use during recess.
Developing gross motor skills like riding is crucial for young children. Access to this equipment helps improve coordination, balance, and sensory awareness. "Kids need to be active and burn energy to succeed and focus in the classroom," Mrs. Wollard emphasized. "These bikes, trikes, and scooters will not only teach our 100+ kindergarteners how to ride but also how to follow rules and take turns, fostering important social growth."
The joy on the kindergarteners' faces as they tried out the new equipment was undeniable. Goddard Public Schools is committed to providing learning opportunities beyond the traditional school day, and GEF Innovative Teacher Grants help educators make these opportunities a reality for all students.
From early childhood to graduation, we are #265Family! Thank you for being part of the journey to educate all students for lifelong success.
The Goddard Education would like to invite you to attend Oz, a night of philanthropy where we come together to support the #265Family and the Innovative Teacher Grant Program. Learn more about Oz 2025 by clicking this link: https://www.goddardef.org/o/gef/page/oz-2025-fundraising-event
Gaga ball and handball are hugely popular games in Goddard District PE classes. At Challenger Intermediate, however, Stephanie Ryan's PE classes lacked the equipment to make these games truly accessible. Thanks to an Innovative Teacher Grant from the Goddard Education Foundation, Mrs. Ryan was able to purchase a Gaga ball pit and multi-purpose goals for handball, soccer, and other activities.
"It's always better to have the right equipment," Mrs. Ryan explained. "Teachers are creative with what they have, but having the correct tools is crucial for effectively and safely teaching skills." Challenger Intermediate students are thrilled with the new additions, giving them the chance to learn new techniques, build confidence, and participate more fully.
With the district growing and resource needs increasing, Goddard Education Foundation Innovative Teacher Grants help bridge the gap, ensuring USD 265 educators have what they need to expand opportunities for the #265Family.
Learn more about past Innovative Teacher Grants and how you can support future grants at: https://goddardpsks.sites.thrillshare.com/o/gef/page/teacher-grants
Goddard High School's ceramics class allows students to explore their creativity by learning to mold clay into art. Sophomore Matthew Mason says, "Ceramics is harder than I thought. You strive for perfection, but clay isn't perfect. I like that you can work at your own pace and learn new techniques and tools to improve your work."
Ceramics teacher Mrs. Northcutt envisions a fully equipped studio that would make Goddard's program one of the best in the state, offering resources for all skill levels.
A Goddard Education Foundation Innovative Teacher Grant helped Mrs. Northcutt purchase banding wheels for every student. These wheels provide a 360-degree view for molding and sculpting, improving design and promoting correct hand-building techniques.
The grant also funded an artwork photo booth so students can photograph their finished pieces. "Students need to photograph their work for portfolios and learn good composition," explains Mrs. Northcutt. "The photo booth gives them the tools to do that."
The Goddard Education Foundation is proud to support Innovative Teacher Grants, providing resources that expand learning opportunities like those in Mrs. Northcutt's ceramics class. To learn about past Innovative Teacher Grants and how you can partner with the Goddard Education Foundation to fund future grants, visit https://goddardpsks.sites.thrillshare.com/o/gef/page/teacher-grants.
Goddard Public Schools Family,
Every day, incredible #265Family Heroes within the Goddard School District go above and beyond to inspire, support, and positively impact our USD 265 students. The Goddard Education Foundation is thrilled to announce the #265Family Award, which gives you an opportunity to recognize the outstanding educators and USD 265 employees who are making a profound difference within our #265Family and give them a chance to win $100 cash.
Our community recognizes the vital role each and every USD 265 staff plays in creating a thriving and supportive learning environment for students. Whether they are a teacher, bus driver, para-educator, administrator, support staff, custodian, or any other valued member of our dedicated team, they are ALL eligible for this award.
We invite you to nominate an individual who has demonstrated a significant, positive impact on the students, staff, or the USD 265 school community as a whole. For example, nominations could recognize USD 265 staff members who:
Inspire a love of learning in their student(s)
Provide exceptional support to student(s)
Create a positive, caring school environment
Go above and beyond their duties to serve others
and/or, exemplifies professionalism and dedication to our #265 Family.
All nominations received will be packaged and sent to the respective individual(s). Please nominate your #265Family Hero Today!
Complete the Nomination Form (Click the Link Below) by providing the nominee's name, school, position, and a story of why you believe they are deserving of this award.
#265Family Award Nomination Form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPtmyI7N56mExQrZnHMavjhh-d3ADYfav3udLPpQSLkMDI0w/viewform?usp=sf_link
All #265Family Award recipients will be recognized with a special certificate with your nomination letter, and one nominee from each USD 265 school and department (Transportation, Maintenance, and General Support) will have a chance to receive a $100 prize (15 Total, $100 cash prize awards) provided by the Goddard Education Foundation.
Let’s celebrate and show appreciation for the amazing work and dedication of our USD 265 employees. We are better together!
