Rockland Community Foundation honors local teachers Rockland Community Foundation presented three Innovative Teaching Grants for programs that will help bring learning to students in new and motivating ways. Grants were provided through the Foundation’s Innovative Teaching Fund, created to support the efforts of county educators to take curriculum-based programs to the next level and increase both student engagement and learning. Recipients were: • Phyllis Birnbaum, Eldorado Elementary School. Her “Literary Food Critics” program will help students develop their math, science, reading, writing and presentation skills in an engaging and enjoyable way by using food recipes as an educational tool. • Eileen Cording, Woodglen Elementary School. The “Stand, Balance, Bounce... Learn” program offers alternatives to the traditional chair and desk classroom set-up, helping to channel young bodies’ tendencies to keep moving while refocusing concentration. • Anna Sexton, Highview Elementary School. The “STEM Engineering with Electricity and Magnetism” program will enhance the school’s newly implemented STEM program by teaching basic engineering through the use of Little Bits. “It is inspiring to see teachers who are so committed to their students and their profession, and we are very pleased to be able to support their initiatives,” said Grants Committee Chair Neil Winter. “We are fortunate to have them helping to shape young minds in our community.” “Rockland Community Foundation received almost a dozen applications for teaching grant assistance,” added Board President Larry Codispoti. “ It is hoped that individuals and businesses in our community will recognize the importance of supporting these programs and help increase our ability to fund more of them through donations to the Innovative Teaching Fund. We are grateful for the contributions of this year’s supporters, including UNOODLES Snack Bar, the Haverstraw Neighborhood Fund and the Active Cares Fund.”nge of interests, that donors create and the Foundation stewards.
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