The Kearney School District Education Foundation (KSDEF) is super-charging 21st-century classrooms across our schools with another round of Teacher Innovation Grants (TIG).

KSDEF Chair Season Kerns revealed the 2024 TIG recipients during the organization's annual "Rise & Shine for Kids" breakfast fundraiser this morning at the Annunciation Community Center in Kearney. The foundation granted $6,365 to nine Kearney School District teachers this year:

Sara Kimmel (Kearney Elementary) - iPads for KESTV Broadcasting Club
Nanette Stout (Kearney Elementary) - Books on Display and Kids on Point
Kassidy Robertson (Kearney High School) - Oven Updates
Bradley Miller (Kearney High School) - Equipment to Enhance Science Labs
Sydney Johnson (Kearney Elementary) - Authentic Literacy & Cozy Engagement
Rebecca Shaheen (Southview Elementary) - Turning Water Into Food
Amy Roberts (Dogwood Elementary) - Social Emotional Learning Subscription
Andie Moon (Dogwood Elementary) - Dogwood Lego Club
Meg Yarkosky (Kearney Middle School) - Making a Splash with Community-Based Instruction

These teachers applied for and were selected by a special committee to receive these grants, which are funded in large part by the money raised at the annual breakfast, according to Ms. Kerns. The awardees were notified at the beginning of April when the "TIG Prize Patrol" surprised them at their school with a big check and balloons.

TIGs provide needed funding for new and innovative ideas for classroom teachers to be implemented in the following academic year. Winners are selected annually in the spring to implement programs in reading, technology, science, fine arts and more, Kerns explained.

"The teachers in the Kearney School District have a lot of great ideas to make learning effective and fun," she said. "They know what the students in their classroom need and sometimes their ideas simply cannot be implemented through the standard budget the district provides."

The 2024 "Rise & Shine for Kids" breakfast was emceed by Kearney High School junior Britta Nielson and featured a demonstration by KHS science teacher Justin Leon's robotics team, which has received two special allocation grants from the foundation. The KHS Frequency Choir, led by Dustin McKinney, entertained the attendees with two impressive performances.

Superintendent Emily Miller provided an overview of the district's major accomplishments this school year, including making progress on the Proposition B zero-tax-rate-increase capital improvement bond projects, safety and security upgrades, and student achievements in the classroom and their extracurricular activities.

"As we look ahead to the future, I am confident that Kearney School District will continue to lead the way in education excellence," Dr. Miller said. "Together, we will build on our successes, confront challenges with resilience, and remain steadfast in our commitment to serving every student, every day."

Kearney Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stacie Bratcher was the event's keynote speaker. She talked about her experience as a KSD student and why it's critical for the school district and business community to have a strong relationship.

Visit www.ksdef.com to learn more about how to support teaching and learning in KSD through the KSDEF.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story