We are proud to support CCPS faculty and staff through the Innovation Grant Awards! Through our MCD Endowment Fund and generous grants from DuPont Spruance and other donors, CEF provides teachers with the opportunity to pilot creative, innovative, and replicable programs.
If you are a CCPS faculty or staff member and have an idea that goes beyond traditional methods, let CEF provide you with additional resources that will Fuel Minds Through Opportunity!
2026-2027 Innovation Grant Recipients
Bethany Atkins, Salem Church Elementary School – Dream Catchers: Write. Shine. Achieve, an after-school literacy enrichment program that helps multilingual learners become confident writers, published authors, and presenters.
Erin Moon, Salem Church Middle School – Pages Over Pixels, an initiative that strengthens literacy engagement through shared reading experiences using print texts and collaborative discussion.
Melanie O'Dell, J.B. Watkins Elementary School – First Grade Math Lab, a shared mathematics innovation hub that provides hands-on, differentiated learning experiences aligned with Virginia Mathematics Standards.
Catherine Rose, Providence Middle School-Rams Rise Up, an initiative that celebrates staff daily, engages students in meaningful appreciation, and empowers educators with resources to turn their expertise and ideas into greater student success.
Sierra Ross, Curtis Elementary School-Family as Folklore, This project uses personal and family stories to strengthen language skills, celebrate student identities, and build meaningful connections between home and school.
Pam Sloan, Manchester High School – The Lancer Culinary Café, a student-run café that provides authentic culinary and business management experiences while developing workplace readiness skills.
Jennifer Ward, W.W. Gordon Elementary School – The Hub, a transformed learning space that supports literacy, mathematics, enrichment activities, student leadership, and schoolwide collaboration.
Lauren Watts, Swift Creek Elementary School – SNAP to Success, a student-led school store that promotes positive behavior while teaching budgeting, saving, and other real-world economic concepts.
MCD2 Replication Grant Recipients
The MCD2 Replication Grants support the expansion of proven educational practices to benefit additional students and schools.
Jacob Stech, Hopkins Road Elementary School – Sound System: Enhances school-wide communication and engagement by installing an improved sound system to support performances, assemblies, and daily announcements.
Nicole Smith, Evergreen Elementary School – Adaptive Inclusive Playground: Creating a more inclusive play environment by adding adaptive playground features that support students of all abilities.
Jacqueline Ferguson, Amy Estes, and Susan Shepherd, Chesterfield Virtual School-The VIPER Den Initiative: Belonging, Leadership, and Positive Behavior: Implements a House System that strengthens school culture, promotes positive behavior, and builds meaningful connections among students and staff through collaborative experiences and shared leadership opportunities.
Outdoor Garden Grant Recipients
Outdoor Garden Grants support experiential learning through outdoor spaces that connect students to environmental stewardship, agriculture, and hands-on education while beautifying their school.
Carol Matthews and Bryan Britton, Carver College & Career Academy – Outdoor Classroom Initiative: Creating a Multi-Use Learning Space: Creating an outdoor learning garden that provides students with hands-on opportunities to explore science and environmental stewardship. The garden will be designed and built by carpentry students.
Jessica Felice, Bellwood Elementary School – School Garden to Community Fridge: Cultivates a student-led garden that teaches sustainable growing practices and provides fresh produce to a local community fridge, helping address food access needs within the school community.
