After being on hold due to COVID, Ventura Education Partnership and the Ventura Unified School District Community enthusiastically embraced the return of $1,000 Innovation Grants for VUSD educators. Through a competitive application process, VEP selected 49 projects totaling $46,000 to fund. These innovative projects provide hands on opportunities that deepen student engagement and learning.
Beth Harris, Principal, Poinsettia Elementary said of the grants program, “Grants allow staff to dream… In this dreaming there is new energy breathed into the classroom. That energy is palpable and can be felt by students. There is a captivating magic in a passionate educator, excited about an idea they dreamed up… It’s great for the student and, equally important, so good for the staff. In these most trying times in education, this kind of joyful energy is invaluable!”
The program is funded by generous support from local businesses and caring community members who value investments in educators and students as essential for our future. Aera Energy’s gift of $10,000 was specifically meaningful in a year when many teachers turned to the joy of reading as a way to create connections with and between students that was reduced during distance learning.
Madhu Bajaj, Vice President of VEPGrants said, “Aera has supported reading grants over the last few years. Ongoing funding like this creates meaningful change and significant impact, in this case stimulating a renewed passion for teaching through relevant, forward thinking reading based activities.”
Recognizing the unusual times we are living in, Rotary Club of Ventura’s Julius Guis Memorial Rotary Foundation supported community building projects with $5,000. These 5 grants use the arts and garden-based education to bring students together where they can collaborate, share ideas, strengthening communication and team building while immersing themselves in scientific study, math, and environmental education.
Community Memorial Health System’s gift of $5,000 supported 5 grants in the areas of math, science and health careers. These projects build essential skills that give students a strong foundation for future careers in the health industry. Students will engage in scientific inquiry, and research while working together in problem solving and more.
Petra McCullough, Assistant Principal of Anacapa Middle School shared why she is passionate about VEPGrants, “When a teacher is struggling to reach their students, VEP is there to help. When a new teacher is looking to set themselves apart, VEP is there to help. When you are looking to invest in an equitable program, VEP is there to help.”
This help is only possible with the community’s involvement. “We are very grateful for our community supporters whose generous donations make these innovative projects possible for Ventura Unified School District students” said Co-Presidents Debbie Golden and Kathy Asher.
To learn more and For a complete list of grant recipients and more information on VEPGrants, visit venturaeducationpartnership.org/VEPGrants or contact [email protected] (805) 754-9861.
