CHASE – Elizabeth Madden, a prekindergarten though seventh-grade art teacher at Chase Grade School in the Chase/Raymond USD 401, has been awarded a $500 grant through Western Governors University’s “Fund My Classroom” initiative. The funds will be used by Madden to purchase materials for her students to produce artwork to display during a Black Light Art Show. Madden learned she was selected for the grant on May 5 when WGU staff surprised her with a virtual check presentation.
As a teacher working in a community with a low socioeconomic level, Madden recognized that many of her students don’t have opportunities to travel and see the world, so she tries to bring the world to them through art. Madden strives to help her students find themselves by creating a love of art, all while teaching them to develop important skills and a greater appreciation for art. With the school’s past two art shows being canceled due to COVID-19, Madden is excited for the opportunity to do something extra special to spark interest in her students and entice their families to attend the show. The $500 grant provided by WGU will help Madden to fund elements of the Black Light Art Show and purchase new and exciting art materials for her students to create unique artwork to be put on display and share with friends and family.
The innovative classroom project is one of 23 across Kansas chosen by WGU to receive funding. The nonprofit, fully online university issued a call in March for K-12 teachers across the state to nominate proposed classroom projects by April 18 for the opportunity to receive full or partial funding through its “Fund My Classroom” initiative. Madden’s proposal was one of more than 80 nominations received statewide. Most grants were awarded last week in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week.
“We were happy to read about all the amazing projects our teachers have planned and are excited we can bring so many to life through our ‘Fund My Classroom’ initiative,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Regional Vice President of Western Governors University. “This past year has been a challenging one for both teachers and students as they were forced to adapt to new styles of teaching and learning. This initiative is an opportunity for WGU to celebrate teachers and thank them for their dedication to educating and positively impacting their students, while enhancing learning for students – both in and out of the classroom.”
To learn more about the “Fund My Classroom” initiative and the work WGU is doing to help teachers advance their careers, visit wgu.edu.
