Mini-grants fund educators' projects

March 12, 2025

ASHLAND – Ashland City Schools Foundation and Ashland County Community Foundation are pleased to announce the recipients of their spring semester Teacher Mini-Grants.

These mini-grants will allow 20 Ashland County educators to implement innovative programs and projects to advance student learning, both in and outside their classrooms.
Thanks to the grant funding, students throughout the county will have opportunities to enhance their experiences in science, the arts, English Language Arts, and more.

Grants totaled $4,968 from ACSF and $15,713 from ACCF. The following teachers received grants:

Ashland City Schools Foundation

• Tina Anderson, Reagan Elementary School, received a grant for “Hatching Ideas for STEM Education.”
• Brian Baker, Ashland High School, received a grant for “Social Studies 3D Printer.”
• Erin Baughman, Taft Intermediate School, received a grant for “Making Taft’s Cafeteria Accessible for All Students.”
• Cameron Dedrick, Ashland City Schools, received a grant for “Drawing With Steve! ACS Visual Arts Show Artist-in-Residence.”

Ashland City Schools Foundation and Ashland County Community Foundation

• BreAnn Fennell, Reagan Elementary School, received a grant for “Read and Ride in Third Grade.”

 Ashland County Community Foundation

• Carly Black, Hillsdale High School, received a grant for “Mini Mic Mentor Program.”
• Kathy Blackford, St. Edward School, received a grant for “Strengthening Physical Sciences Laboratory Experiences for Students.”
• Rachel Burgett, Taft Intermediate School, received a grant for “We Can Hear You!”
• Timothy Houston, Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center, received a grant for “Community Outreach for Cyber Security.”
• Marty Kral, Ashland High School, received a grant for “Media Arts Disconnect/Reconnect.”
• Angela Layton, Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village School District, received a grant for “The Writer’s World.”
• Faith Lutz, Mapleton High School, received a grant for “High School Drama Production Equipment.”
• Emily Olewiler, Taft Intermediate School, received a grant for “Bringing Clay to Taft.”
• Kerry Reisinger, Mapleton High School, received a grant for “From Page to Pod: Innovating ELA Instruction.”
• John Royski, Mapleton Local Schools, received a grant for “Tuning with Precision: Empowering Musicianship through the Tuner Caddy.”
• Rachael Schmidt, Ashland Middle School, received a grant for “Inspiring Lifelong Readers.”
• Matt Sloan, Hillsdale Middle School, received a grant for “Middle School Modellers.”
• Megan Slomkowski, St. Edward School, received a grant for “Sensory Space.”
• Sara Sral, Hillsdale Local Schools, received a grant for “Raising Awareness, Spreading Kindness, and Applying Acceptance.”
• Kristin Strong, St. Edward School, received a grant for “Fidget Busters Focus Fixers Club.”

Ashland City Schools Foundation and Ashland County Community Foundation accept applications for Teacher Mini-Grants twice annually, with application deadlines in January and September. Grant requests should be for programs and projects that are not covered by school budgets.

For fall semester 2025 grants, any K-12 teacher from any school in Ashland County may apply online at www.ashlandforgood.org/grants by September 15. Applicants from the Ashland City School district will be considered for ACSF grants, and all applicants will be considered for ACCF grants. Questions should be directed to Kristin Aspin, Chief Operating Officer, Ashland County Community Foundation, at (419) 281-4733 or kristin@ashlandforgood.org.

About Ashland City Schools Foundation: now an affiliate of ACCF, Ashland City Schools Foundation continues to promote excellence in academics, the arts and athletics while providing educational opportunities for all students and educators in the Ashland City School District. ACSF has disbursed more than $1 million to support the students of Ashland City Schools.

About Ashland County Community Foundation: Ashland County Community Foundation advances philanthropy and improves the quality of life in Ashland County by connecting people who care with causes that matter. ACCF has awarded over $37 million in scholarships, grants and distributions.