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PEF Teacher Grants help inspirational teachers in every PUSD school enhance the classroom experience for their students. The grants, provided directly to educators, benefit thousands of students in Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre.
In December 2023, over 220 PUSD educators received $223,000 in grants thanks to the Pasadena Educational Foundation, the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation, and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. This is the largest amount of money awarded to the largest number of educators in PEF’s 50+ year history.
Grant applications for this year are now closed. Please check back here next year in Fall 2025.
Looking for help with funding a field trip?
PEF Teacher Grants 2023-24
Special Awards
Calvin Hunt Arts Award
In memory of Calvin Hunt who, as Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, took dancers all over the world as cultural ambassadors. This award promotes and supports dedicated teachers enhancing arts education in PUSD.
Liane Shih & Denise Seider ~ Marshall Fundamental
The Dinner Party
In conjunction with Women’s History Month, the PUSD all-school annual art exhibition “No Boundaries”, and the City of Pasadena’s biannual event ArtNight Pasadena, students at Marshall Fundamental, Norma Coombs Elementary, and Altadena Arts Magnet will create a re-imagined version of Judy Chicago’s famed Dinner Party.
Jarratt Brunson Memorial Award for Literacy
Honoring the late Jarratt Brunson, the PEF founder who initiated the Teacher Grant Program, this award goes to the proposal that best reflects Jarratt’s passion for reading and early literacy.
Dr. Elisa Perez ~ Madison Elementary
Let’s Read Eagles! Soaring to Success with Books!
This reading incentive project aims to provide underserved students with access to quality literature and projects to improve their literacy skills and ignite a love for reading.
Kathy Onoye Principal Award
This award goes to the PUSD administrator whose proposal best exemplifies their role in inspiring leadership.
Erika Cooper ~ Hamilton Elementary
STEM Lab
Hamilton Elementary is building a Science Lab to create an inviting and visually stimulating experience. The lab will align to the school’s curriculum to support teachers who will integrate hands-on science learning. The STEM lab is accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. The lab would encourage collaboration and group activities to foster teamwork and problem solving skills.
School-Wide Grants
Michael Bell ~ Rose City High School
Student ID Machine and Incentives
Erika Cooper ~ Hamilton Elementary
STEM Lab
Raymond Cross ~ Norma Coombs Elementary
Improving Art & Garden Teaching Areas
Dana Hill ~ Altadena Arts Magnet
Masterminds Club
Mathew Kodama ~ Pasadena High School
Outdoor Learning
Lindsay Lewis ~ PUSD Early Childhood Education
Sensory Soothers – SEL Calming Kits
Jodi Marchesso ~ Sierra Madre Elementary
A Student-Created Book About Our School
Amy McGinnis ~ Blair IB School
Reading for Fun, Reading to Grow!
Garrett Newsom ~ Sierra Madre Middle
SMMS Robotics Program
Noemi Orduña ~ Octavia E. Butler Magnet
Outdoor Learning / Kindness Spaces
Elisa Perez ~ Madison Elementary
Let’s Read Eagles! Soaring to Success with Books!
Merian Stewart ~ McKinley School
McKinley Library Revitalization
Lori Touloumian ~ Marshall Fundamental
Outdoor Ceramics Classroom
Charlene Tucker ~ Field Elementary
PBIS Schoolwide Student Store / Character Trait Badges
Veronica Villagrana ~ Jackson STEAM Elementary
Student Safe Spaces and Wellness
Teacher Grants
Altadena Arts Magnet
Vivian Alfonso
Early Emergent Reading Books
Mary Roper
Connecting All Students
Blair IB
Monica Benson
Amplifying Student Voices!
Kyla Berman
Blair Self-Defense
Kevin Bice
Manipulating Variables: Exploring Scientific Method Through Growing Hydroponic Microgreens
Jesus Cobian
Reading Comes to Life in Color
Raul Delgado
H2O, Ready, Set, Go!
Luis Escalante, Veronica Yepez
Math Dream Box
Adria Espinoza
Improving English Learner Reading Scores Through Literacy Projects
Darius Hines
Experiments with Air Tracks
Stephanie Linardos
Cricut Tangible Take Home Designs
Esmeralda Lomeli
Making History Fun for All Learners
Joy McCreary
Novel Studies & Book Buying
Elizabeth Najera
International Academy Garden and Literacy Project
Liliana Tang
Accessible Science World Magazines for International Academy
Maria Teresa Garcia de la Vega, Laura Howard
Empowering Excellence: Chromebooks, Technology, and English Learner Tutoring at the International Academy
Jessica Volpi
Wired for Excellence: Enriching Blair Theatre through Headsets
PUSD CARE Program
Ryan Dahlstrom
Incentives for Behavior Improvement
Madelyn Gittens
Developing a Growth Mindset
Michelle Stowers
Kinesthetic CARE Therapeutic Classroom
CIS Academy / PALS
Scott Phelps, Kimbra Norton, Egbert Azariah
Using Galileoscopes to Enhance Physics and Observe the 2024 Solar Eclipse
Andrea Reynoso
Improved Virtual Tutoring
PUSD Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development
Jose Ortega
The Learning Curve: A Print Publication by the Student Think Tank
Don Benito Fundamental
Lauren Partma
Inclusive Library for All Students
Victoria Smith, Yvonne Davis
The Glow Gallery: Empowering Students Success through Personal Identity
Wayne Valenzuela, Candace Annett
Growing Young Minds: Interactive Garden
Eliot Arts Magnet
Jeffrey Bracamonte
Extending Math Beyond the Curriculum
Dr. Jane Lambert
Integrating Literacy in the Mathematics Classroom in 8th Grade!
Amy Mattson, Shane Horan
Physical Edcuation
Robert Moya
College Level Curriculum
Erica Peters
M Cubed: Making Math Meaningful
Dawnley Raices
Stamps For Joy
Summer St. Pierre
Building Literacy through Nonfiction Library Collection Development
Elliott Sutter
The Art of the Equation
Field Elementary
Anqi Deng
Empowering Language and Cultural Immersion in 4th Grade
Yichen Liu
Workshop Model in Mandarin DLIP Classroom and Classroom Library
Karen Raab
Hands-On Science: Dig In and Learn Through Gardening
Jinghong Wang
Bilingual Library Enrichment for Dual Mandarin Immersion Class
Wai Yan Wu
Bring Science to Life! Exploring Observation & Hands On
Weili Xia, Jing Gao
Art/Science Integration in First Grade: Inspiring Young Minds
Siyin Yang
Refine the Mandarin and Math Workshop
Hamilton Elementary
Alden Denila, Isaac Dye
Drumset and Drumsticks for Hamilton
Felicia Gomez
Butterfly Garden
Marion Yamada
Shaking Up Some Mathemagical Fun!
Patrice Yocum
Animated Memories
PUSD Home Hospital Program
Marla Kaseff
Helping Students Classified as Moderate/Severe
Jefferson Children’s Center
Carolina Arizaga
Early Arts Expression
Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary
Debbie Ayala, Taeya Long
Garden Classroom Extension
Merle Bugarin
Tools for English Learner Success
Sara Dave, Erica Nellessen, Maria Hernandez
Jackson Wellness Project
Jennifer Fernandez
3rd Grade Bilingual Book Clubs
Jacob Fuerte
Jackson PE
Elizabeth Holle
Sensory Exploration
John Newell
Restock, Rebuild, and Reimagine Lab Science
Maureen Noble
Windows and Mirrors Library Collection
Corrine Parker
An Overall Kindergarten Upgrade
Christian Reynaga
Visual Arts at Jackson, Exploration of a New World
Melissa Ruiz
Updating Classroom Library: Multicultural, SEL, & Butterflies
Elaine Serna
Book Club
Diana Suarez
A STEAMy Update
John Muir Early College Magnet
Shakirim Brown
Exploring Topics Through Podcasting
Cassandra Franklin
Vocal Amplification
Daniel Harris, Jill McArthur
California Native Plant Propagation
Janet Hart
The Secret Garden Revisited
Karen Klages
Music Library for Mighty Mustangs
Theresia Kleeman
Muir Student Writers: Imagine Two Pines Framing a Dirt Path
Cynthia Lake
Up the Cycle: Revise, Refine, Rework, Renew the Unwanted
Courtney Scrabeck, Micol Issa
Periaktoi for Library Gallery Displays and Stage
Longfellow Elementary
Mavie Arellano
Elementary Physical Education
Claudia Becerra
Multicultural Teacher Library
Kaiulani Sallas
Longfellow Lions Blossom and Bloom
Madison Elementary
Helena Alves
Students Treasure Becoming Publishers
Luis Amaya, Myrna Rodriguez
Eagle’s Nest: Interactive Activity Room
Laura Cambrelen, Donna Irie
Blooming Minds: Hands-On STEM
Patricia Guzman, Kathryn Marquez
Madison Monarch Waystation
Aysia Lynch, Amparo Angela Magalong
Sensory Corner for Special Education Students
Marco Rodriguez
Music Director iPad
Diane Salson, Flor Manzano, Cheryl Hinojosa
For the Love of Words!
DeRon Tyler
Fitness in Youth
Marshall Fundamental
Daarina Abdus-Samad
Celebrating Ceramics!
Zara Agvanian
Statistical Research: Creating and Interpreting Frequency Distributions
Moises Champo, Ana Chavez
Folklorico Dance: Connection, Confidence, Creativity
Roxanne Duboucheron, Jonathan Miller
The Narrative Workshop (TNW)
Norwin Gardener
Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Reading Area
Alison Garfinkel
Building Marshall Drama’s Staging Capacity
Christine Gunnell
Scoping for Microscopes
Stephen Kooshian
World Atlases for AP Human Geography
Marysia Narvaez
The Power of Music in the Classroom
Suengmee Seo
Periodic Table Tile
Liane Shih, Denise Seider
The Dinner Party
Jay Stapleton
Build My Classroom Library
Fara Valentine
Surgeons in Training
McKinley School
Anthony Bonoli, Topaze Fraser-Lake
McKinley School Garden and Science Impact
John Lira
The McKinley 4th Grade Garden: Farm to School 2023
Cynthia Macias
Activate All Students Imagination With S.T.E.A.M. Multicultural Barbies
Natalie Pando, Raquel Lomeli, Briseyda Rivera
Empowering Excellence: Enhancing Social, Emotional, and Academic Skills in Inclusion Education
Lai Sam
Literacy Corner
Beth Strehl
Kinder-Garden
Norma Coombs Elementary
Alma Cielo Livingstone, Barbara Ishida
Outdoor Education through Native Plants & Ceramics
Diana Delgado Ramirez
TK Students Learning Through Play
Rebekah Flores, Wendy Giang
Interactive Learning In An Embedded Instruction Program
Kyle Kennelly
Sensory-Centered Learning
Octavia E. Butler Magnet Academy
Natalie Daily
Our Science Fiction Festival Opens New Worlds
Andrew Driffill, Mary Lauderdale
Robotics Competition Support
Robyn Wehrly, Jensine Lucas
Intimidation to Integration: Physics Through Rube Goldberg Machines
Pasadena High
Girma Aleme
Electrostatic (Van-de-Graaf) Generator
Richard Chung
Scaffolded S.T.E.M. Curriculum for Special Education
Anne Hastings
PHS Library: The Welcoming Heart of Our Community Where All Come to Learn, Discover, Create, and Connect
Ruihan He
Immersive Audio/Visual Experience for Chinese Language & Culture
Rachel Jacalone
Biological Models
Benjamin Lambert
Molecule of Life
Amy Marmol
Flexible Seating in Secondary Classroom
Carolina Marquez Villasenor
CI Spanish Readers
Norma Ohlson, Asusena Camacho Raudales
Audio-Visual Technology
Marian Pena
Math Materials to Engage Students
Richard Rosa
The Chemistry of Paints and Pigments
Kristin Trammell, Jessica Carbajal, Natalie Hernandez, Sobukwe Ramsey
Adapted PE
Kevin Wood
Creating Interest for Introverts
Rose City High
Christopher Tolosa
Physics and Chemistry Hands-On Resources
San Rafael Elementary
Luz Ceja
Building Skills That Stick
Carla Landaverde, Cristina Arellano, Jessica Cervantes, Juana Orozco, Maite Soriano, Priscila Leon-Didion
For the Love of Printed Books!
Veronica Martinez
Read Around the World!
Lizet Rodriguez
Hands and Minds on Math
Sierra Madre Elementary
Lucy Chaparian
Hatching and Raising Chicks
Richard Garretson, Sarah Healy
Green Waste Awareness and Collection Program
Carolyn Halpern
Pollination Power
Barri Messersmith
Building The Future, One Bot at a Time
Yolanda Munoz
May The Force Be With You!
Dany Richey
Revitalized Goodwill Gardens
Sierra Madre Middle
Alexandra Gonzales, Samantha Dominguez
Handcrafted by Hawks!
Elizabeth Korman
Think on Your Feet
Daniel Martinez
Transform Problem Solving: Write, Wipe, Restart!
Calvin Ramirez, Amanda Leja
Peace Patio
Jane Ruwe
Reading Culture
Jun Yu
Online News Reading in Mandarin Chinese & Book Creator
PUSD Student Wellness & Support Services
Elsa Gutierrez
Restorative Justice Art
Washington Elementary STEM Magnet
Debbie Afsharian
POP into Reading
Michele Durrett
Every Face Has a Place at Washington STEM
Katherine Mickelson, Chanika Martin
Small Group Wiggles
Tina Minkler
Ignite STEM Learning in Kindergarten!
Webster Elementary
Yesu Baymus, Joane Copeland-Muro
Collaborative Eco Art Project
Candice Cooper Horn
Let’s Get Creative!
Amy Froeschle, Sabrina Mandigo, Arpine Khrlopyan
Connecting Our Past With Our Future
Sophia Mejia
Let’s Build!
Willard Elementary
Melanie Gray
Supporting Social Emotional Learning Through Culturally Responsive Literature
Melinda Killen
Safety and Fun in a Beautiful Environment
Penny Magalong
After School LEGO STEM Club and Robotics Team
Stacy Torres
What a Wonderful World
Linda Wittry
Student Action and Service Through Gardening, IB Murals, and Campus Beautification
Take a look at our archive of past teacher grant recipients:
“Every year I am awed by the creativity and passion that our district’s teachers and principals share in their grant proposals.” -Patrick Conyers, PEF Executive Director
Grant projects are:
Student centered.
Related to the curriculum.
Directly benefit students.
Enhance and Improve student achievement.
Grants are generally awarded to teachers in amounts up to $1,000, special awards up to $2,500, and school-wide grants up to $5,000.
Thank you to the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation, and the generous support of the community
Support creativity in our schools!
Teacher Grants are one of the many ways the Pasadena Educational Foundation helps to create a vibrant and enriching educational experience for all public school children in Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre.