Central Community Education Foundation awards teachers $33,000 in classroom grants

The Central Community Education Foundation, a fund held by the LincolnWay Community Foundation, awarded over $33,000 in grants to local teachers for the 2021-22 school year. 

Teachers requested funds for robots, digital art tools, a camera kit, journalism equipment and other technology. 

“We are excited to support teachers and provide enrichment opportunities for students,” says Pat Henricksen, executive director of the LincolnWay Community Foundation. 

The Central Ed Foundation awards annual grants to students of all ages. Since 1993, the Foundation has granted nearly $700,000 to teachers in the Central DeWitt Community School District to enhance curriculum in all subjects. The Community Foundation and the Central Ed Foundation are working with donors in other communities, especially in the Northeast School District, to establish additional teacher grants for the future. 

Donors like Henry Pelham started funds with the Central Ed Foundation to enhance classroom learning opportunities. Pelham, who was born on a farm outside Clinton, served in the U.S. Navy, using math to solve real-world problems. He hoped his gift would enable local youth to follow their dreams toward careers in math and science. Although Henry has died, his fund will ensure a grant is made each year – forever – to do just that.

The generosity of Pelham and others is helping draw residents back to the community. “Alumni are coming back to teach,” says Henricksen. “That is such a nice tribute. It’s wonderful to see.”