Stauffer Foundation gives $37K in teacher grants

DOWNEY – The Mary R. Stauffer Foundation recently donated $37,599 in teacher grants focused on the elementary level. 

Issued in December, the grants provide funding for “new innovative and creative projects, and renewals of existing successful programs that require additional funding for maintenance, expansion and enhancement.” 

Teachers and principals that received the grants were from a variety of elementary schools across Downey Unified, as well as the newly established STEAM 15. The STEAM 15 is a group of 15 Downey teachers that provide their experience, training and expertise to kindergarten through fifth-grade students throughout the district. 

During this STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) time, which consists of 90 minutes every other week, the STEAM 15 travel to classrooms and students complete a variety of projects that promote collaboration, critical thinking, communication and creativity. 

The Mary R. Stauffer Foundation projects that next year’s Teacher Grants will be offered to all secondary schools and teachers, meaning that individuals from the middle and high schools within Downey Unified are eligible to apply for these grants. 

“Downey Unified would like to again send their appreciation to the Mary R. Stauffer Foundation for the outpouring of continuous support to our staff and students,” the district said in a statement. “For the last 15 years Downey Unified has been fortunate to receive the annual Teacher Grants from the Stauffer Foundation which has aided our teachers and principals expand program offerings to better prepare students for success in their respective college and career endeavors.”