Carlsbad, California – The Carlsbad Educational Foundation (CEF) is proud to announce the award of $51,273 in teacher grants to 11 secondary-level teachers in the Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD). These grants, part of a new initiative launched by the Foundation in August 2024, are designed to support innovative instruction and fund impactful projects that will enrich student experiences and encourage engagement in the classroom.
The Teacher Grant Program was created to address the unique needs of secondary teachers and the diversity of their class offerings. Through this initiative, CEF aims to promote
hands-on learning and creative curriculum that aligns with its core funding priorities: music, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math), and educational innovation. Projects that impact large numbers of students and involve teacher collaboration were given special consideration.
“This grant program empowers teachers to bring their ideas to life, ensuring that students have access to cutting-edge resources and experiences,” said Laura Pitts, CEO of the Carlsbad Educational Foundation.
Among the grant recipients is Rachel Hurlimann, who was awarded $8,247 to purchase Dell XPS 16 laptops to enhance her Multimedia Journalism class. “This is INCREDIBLE news! I can’t wait to share it with the students and get to work!” Hurlimann said. With new laptops, students will be able to use industry-standard Adobe software, overcoming limitations caused by outdated equipment.
In her grant application, Hurlimann described the urgency of the need:
“Our current MacBooks have been in use since 2016, and they are no longer capable of running essential editing software. Receiving this grant will ensure we have the necessary equipment to produce our broadcasts and publications for the next 3 -4 years.”
Another recipient, AP English Teacher Katrina Waidelich, was awarded $2,400 to transform her classroom into a “Thinking Classroom”—a dynamic learning environment designed to promote critical thinking and collaboration. With the grant, she purchased mobile whiteboards and other materials to implement this innovative teaching model.
“Many traditional classrooms rely heavily on worksheets or individual computer work, limiting student engagement and critical thinking,” Waidelich explained. “With the Building Thinking Classrooms model, students will work together on non-permanent vertical surfaces, encouraging immediate feedback, collaboration, and deeper thinking. I’m excited to see how this new structure will transform my classroom.”
The Teacher Grant Program emphasizes CEF’s ongoing commitment to fostering excellence in education by supporting innovative and impactful ideas. The grant amounts ranged from approximately $1,000 to $9,600, with projects aiming to impact hundreds of students across the district.
“This program not only enhances the classroom experience but also strengthens the connection between our community and the future of education,” Pitts said. “We are grateful to the donors and community partners who made this funding possible.”
For more information about teacher grants and the Carlsbad Educational Foundation, visit www.CarlsbadEd.org/teacher-grants/.
About Carlsbad Educational Foundation
Carlsbad Educational Foundation (CEF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 1983, to raise private support for public education and contribute to the enrichment of nearly 11,000 students in the Carlsbad Unified School District. Since i ts inception, the foundation has awarded more than $16 million to Carlsbad public schools, primarily for science, technology, and music – programs that would not be possible in California’s current school funding environment. 100% of donations go directly to support the Carlsbad Unified School District because CEF’s operating expenses are covered by student enrichment programs and Kids Care, a comprehensive before and after -school TK-
5 childcare program. For more information, visit www.CarlsbadEd.org.
