2025 Ellison Education Grant Recipients

Mary Andreotti – Washougal High School – Washougal School District

Project Title: “Accessible Science”
Washougal High School will address the lack of accessible science assessments for students receiving special education services. Using OpenSiEd the administration will provide professional development for science teachers to appropriately assess students who qualify as two standard deviations below average IQ.

Jessica Barber – Bow Lake Elementary – Highline School District

Project Title: "Raising Writers Through Professional Learnin"
Bow Lake students are underperforming in writing. Teachers will address this issue with quality “in-house” writing instruction. Professional learning will address gaps in teacher knowledge of writing instruction. They will use aspects of “What Works Clearing House” to guide their professional development.

Matt Cannata – Quincy Middle School – Quincy School District

Project Title: “Bring Science to Life with 3D Printing”
3D printing will provide hands-on, accessible and engaging science instruction into Darrington High School science curriculum. By creating and using 3D models, students can visualize and interact with complex scientific ideas, improving comprehension and retention.

Jessica Strand & Jennifer Chancellor – Carter Lake Elementary – Clover Park SD

Project Title: “STEAM for Kinder”
Kindergarten teachers at Carter Lake would like to extend their science curriculum by purchasing materials to help integrate hands-on learning experiences. STEAM activities will give first year students a chance to immerse themselves in a variety of learning methods that include auditory, visual, hands-on and kinesthetic while also learning cooperation skills.

Wendy Clark – West Valley School District (Yakima)

Project Title: Highly Capable Math Enrichment
West Valley’s High Cap students need challenging math enrichment that’s easy for teachers to implement in self-contained and general education classrooms. “Beast Academy” provides the depth and enjoyment students crave through an engaging, advanced curriculum designed specifically for them.

Maggie Doud – Emerson Elementary – Everett School District

Project Title: Our Library Speaks Every Language
Emerson serves a diverse student population with over 26 spoken languages. This grant will expand their library’s nonfiction and multilingual books to promote literacy equity. The goal is to ensure all students see themselves reflected in library resources.

Kristin Edlund – Riverview School District

Project Title: Field STEM – Science Anchored Content Integration
Cross-school 1st and 4th grade teacher teams will use the FieldSTEM model to document the intentional integration of content areas with outdoor social and emotional learning. Students will experience outdoor science inquiry with explicit instruction in reading, writing, and math. Content integration will result in more time learning science throughout the school day.

Ashley Eickmeyer – Mill Pond Elementary – Yelm School District

Project Title: Decodable Reading Library
Mill Ponds classroom reading curriculum lacks sufficient student materials for daily reading practice. While repetition is essential for building foundational skills, access to diverse texts is equally important. Mill Pond will purchase a broader selection of decodable readers to enhance students’ fluency, confidence and comprehension.

Brittany Hedrick – Lakeview Terrace Elementary – Moses Lake School District

Project Title: Wilson Reading for Struggling Readers
Brittany is the reading specialist at Lakeview Terrace. Most of her students are two years or more behind their peers. These students include 35 who’ve been diagnosed with dyslexia. Her students require different strategies and resources than they currently have. Lakeview Terrace will purchase the Wilson Reading system to target decoding, phonemic awareness, spelling, fluency, comprehension and retention.

Jana Holterman – Southworth Elementary – Yelm School District

Project Title: Amplify Boost Computer Programming
“Amplify Boost Reading Computer” program addresses each individual student and their personalized reading needs. It significantly enhances their progress when used in conjunction with the schools “Core Knowledge Language Arts” program. Amplify Boost will help students build foundational literacy knowledge and help with long-term success.

Rylan Lopez – Trentwood Elementary – East Valley School District (Spokane)

Project Title: Student Engagement via Flexible Classroom
Many students struggle with focus throughout the school day. In order enhance student engagement and interactive learning, Trentwood will purchase a Newline 86Q Pro digital Promethean “white board” to engage students. By utilizing and integrating interactive technology Rylan will create a more inclusive and stimulating classroom experience.

Courtney McEwan – Vancouver Public Schools

Project Title: Literacy Legacy
With only 42% of elementary school students in the Vancouver School District performing at or above grade level in reading, teachers are eager to deepen their understanding of evidence-based literacy instruction and transforming their instructional practices. Twenty teachers from twelve schools will complete units 5-8 of the LETRS curriculum in the 25-26 school year as a result of this grant.

Shannon Milsten – Prescott Elementary – Prescott School District

Project Title: Interactive Learning Materials for the Human Body
Many students find science content challenging and struggle to grasp complex concepts. To improve engagement and comprehension, Prescott elementary will incorporate hands-on, project-based learning opportunities by purchasing age-appropriate science equipment, models and curriculum.

Ellen Muench – Good Beginnings Preschool – Sedro Woolley School District

Project Title: AAC Training and Resources
Ellen is a Speech and Language Pathologist for the Sedro Woolley Schol District. She works with preschoolers who are beginning their school journey as non-verbal. It’s essential they have consistent and supported opportunities to communicate using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (or AAC). To do that, paraeducators will be provided with equipment and training to better utilize time with students from the very beginning.

Hanna Ory – West Seattle Elementary – Seattle School District

Project Title: Husky Club Enrichment
Many West Seattle students face barriers participating in after school programs due to cost, transportation and limited opportunities. West Seattle has created six “in-school” academic and community building “Husky Clubs” to empower students. For 30 mins each week, students participate in hands on interest-based clubs spanning STEM, arts, leadership and sports. The Ellison grant allows them to introduce new, culturally responsive activities.

Leslie Parker – Finley Elementary – Finley School District

Project Title: Kinders Step to Reading
The kindergarten team would like to get relevant “leveled” books into students’ hands. Books will be purchased that have the sight and blending words they learn about in class. With the nearest library 20 minutes from school, they’ll enhance their classroom library with the hopes of boosting student reading scores.

Erin Reiber – Washington Elementary – Wenatchee School District

Project Title: Decodable Books and Tools for Science Based Reading
Kindergarten students at Washington Elementary need a strong foundation in decoding skills to become successful readers. This grant will allow the kindergarten team to purchase decodable readers and hands on activity mats that align with their “Science of Reading” curriculum. The resources will support systematic phonics instruction, helping students master reading skills, build confidence and develop a love for reading.

Cory Ross – Darrington High School – Darrington School District

Project Title: 3D Printing Technology for Under-Resourced School
Darrington High School will upgrade the school’s technology offerings by introducing 3D printing to students. As a small school district, Darrington has far fewer resources than traditional high schools. 3D printing is a growing field, and they’ll expose all their students to this opportunity before graduation.

David Ruby – Highline High School – Highline School District

Project Title: AP Scholars Library
The goal is to upgrade Highline High Schools aging resource library for students taking their first AP course, World History. Currently, students have very few (and outdated) texts and study guides at their disposal. With the appropriate tools they hope to increase pass rates for the national AP test.

Valerie Swanger – Ocean Shores Elementary – North Beach School District

Project Title: Exploring Science Through Hands on Discovery
With no district elementary school science curriculum, students enter 7th grade and struggle with fundamental science concepts and underperform on state testing. The Ellison Grant will purchase essential materials needed to introduce engaging, inquiry-based science instruction preparing them for 7th grade science and beyond.

Patricia Wallace – Evergreen Heights Elementary – Auburn School District

Project Title: Tackling Student Drama Like Pros
Many Students struggle with managing emotions and resolving conflicts independently which interferes with academic success. The 1st grade team will purchase “Kelso’s Choice” SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) curriculum to address student self-regulation needs. Kelso’s Choice offers a structured yet flexible model for teaching children how to resolve conflicts in positive ways.

Kristina Wendorf – Bryn Mawr Elementary – Renton School District

Project Title: Kindergarten STEM Enrichment
The kindergarten team would like to increase students’ ability to solve problems independently. Exposing them to core STEM skills using Hand2Mind STEM bins, they hope to foster independence and at the same time to work collaboratively. Students enter Bryn Mawr with a wide range of linguistic, cultural and academic backgrounds. STEM bins will tap into their natural curiosity and enhance overall instruction.

Angie Williams – Silver Beach Elementary – Bellingham School District

Project Title: Lego Spikes Robotics for Student Voice and Purpose
Silver Beach Elementary will introduce “LEGO Spikes for Education” to flip students attention switch as they engage in hands-on, creative experiential learning activities. Students will build and code in an iterative process of problem-solving and creativity. This approach shifts students from expecting instruction to actively engaging in the learning process.