Rotary’s Teacher Mini Grants spark creativity in local classrooms

The program awards grants of up to $400 to individual teachers in preschool through twelfth grade for innovative projects that enrich and enhance the student learning experience. Teachers can use the funds for materials, tools or creative ideas that wouldn’t otherwise be covered by school budgets—or that they might have paid for out of pocket. In some cases, teachers even pool their grants for greater student impact.

“The ultimate goal,” grant program chair CiCi Stuart explained, “is to benefit and affect as many students as possible.”

This year, 13 projects representing nine schools and serving more than 800 students received funding, for a total of over $4,000 awarded.

These small grants add up to a big impact—one that ripples through classrooms, schools and the entire community.

Music to their ears

Four music teachers from across the district collaborated to purchase a house microphone for the Pagosa Springs High School auditorium: Malinda Burnett, Katrina Thomas, Leo Baughman and Anika Borders.

“Our current performance recordings lose essential elements, such as the pit orchestra or ensemble performances, making these recordings drastically subpar to a live experience,” their application reads. “We have recently begun to acquire the necessary equipment to record and stream performances that take place in the high school auditorium.”

The new microphone will not only help students better evaluate their performances but also allow families—and the wider community—to experience concerts when they can’t attend in person. “Having higher quality recordings really helps students accurately reflect on their ability and next steps to keep improving their musical skills,” the application continues. Community groups who use the auditorium will also benefit.

Stitching together skills

At San Juan Mountain School, teacher Jeanne Dahler requested a sewing machine to help students develop hands-on skills in pattern use, design and creation.

One of her goals, as noted in the application, is for students to “build works of art and design to demonstrate growth and proficiency in traditional and new art media.” A small grant—and a simple sewing machine—will help make that vision a reality.

Photo courtesy Al Myatt
Jeanne Dahler (left), art teacher at San Juan Mountain School, and Principal Stewart Bellina will purchase a new sewing machine with funds made possible through a Rotary Mini Grant—helping students stitch together creativity and craftsmanship. They are pictured with Rotarians Pat Love and CiCi Stuart.

Art on wheels

At first glance, Heather Rose’s classroom at Pagosa Valor Academy might look a little different—because it’s on a bus.

“I get to teach art from a bus—just like Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus!” she wrote.

Her mobile art studio is a creative solution to limited space, but Rose dreams of expanding beyond two-dimensional projects. “Art tools become extensions of the artists themselves,” she explains. With Rotary’s help, she’ll add tools like jewelry stamps, polymer clay and an art drying rack so students can explore new forms of expression.

“If students donate their 3D items for gifts or fundraising for humanitarian causes or school trips, they will effect social change,” Rose explained. Her ultimate goal: to help students’ “ideation processes to develop artistic voice.”

Photo courtesy Al Myatt
Teachers Heather Rose and Jeny Laugel of Pagosa Valor Academy bring color, creativity, and hands-on learning to students through “art-on-the-go” and engaging math and measurement projects—made possible by Rotary Mini Grant funding. Pictured, left to right, are Rotarian Pat Love, Rose, Laugel and Rotarians Melanie Garrett and Helen Richardson.

Measuring up

At Pagosa Valor Academy, second-grade teacher Jeny Laugel is using her mini grant to enhance hands-on learning in math and measurement.

“The goals we have for our students in providing these materials are to have purposeful, guided, differentiated fun during learning,” Laugel wrote in her application. “We know these materials would provide a true visual and kinesthetic experience in measurement and data that would be most beneficial to overall student success.”

Her new manipulatives, games, and balance tools will make abstract math concepts tangible for young learners.

Exploring human rights through family stories

At Pagosa Peak Open School, fifth-grade teacher Kelle Bruno proposed an ambitious project titled “Human Rights and Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: How has your family migrated?”

“Students will enhance their literacy while also interpreting and reflecting on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship,” Bruno wrote. Using Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan as an anchor text, students will research their family’s migration stories and document them through photojournalism.

Rotary’s grant will fund cameras for their work. “Students will share their findings through a photo essay that tells the story of their subject,” Bruno added—a lesson in both humanity and history.

Photo courtesy Jeanelle Wychesit
At Pagosa Peak Open School, Sarah Troxtell and Kelle Bruno use their Rotary Mini Grants to nurture both hearts and minds—through mindfulness weaving projects and a photojournalism exploration of human rights and family migration stories. They are pictured with Rotarians Helen Richardson (left), Melanie Garrett and Cici Stuart (right).

Weaving mindfulness and connection

Sarah Troxtell, restorative practices coordinator at Pagosa Peak Open School, will use her mini grant to purchase 20 weaving looms to support mindfulness and emotional regulation.

These hands-on activities promote reflection, focus and a sense of belonging. “Restorative practices are central to how we build relationships, support student growth, and create a safe, inclusive school culture,” Troxtell explained.

Photo courtesy Al Myatt
At Seeds of Learning, teachers are putting Rotary Mini Grants to work to enhance sensory learning and imaginative play for Pagosa’s youngest learners. Pictured, left to right, are: Rotarian Pat Love, Tanara Lister, school executive director Emily Martinez, Jennifer Montoya and Rotarian CiCi Stuart.

Lighting up young minds

At Seeds of Learning, preschool teacher Jennifer Montoya focuses on sensory learning for children ages 3½ to 4½, some of whom are visually impaired. Her mini grant provides light boxes, flashlights and sand for hands-on activities that enhance both sight and touch.

Down the hall, Tanara Lister is enriching dramatic play in the Dragonfly Room with new pretend kitchen sets, play food and home office toys for children ages 2½ to 3½—many experiencing their first time away from home.

Growing new opportunities

This year, Pagosa Springs Elementary School (PSES) opened its first preschool program. Teacher Ryann Briggs will use her mini grant to fill classrooms with books, games, counting tools and art materials that spark learning through play.

Photo courtesy Al Myatt
Pagosa Springs Elementary School teachers (center left to right) Katie Young, Ryann Briggs and Julie Fox celebrate receiving Rotary Teacher Mini Grants from Pat Love (left) and CiCi Stuart (right) that will spark curiosity, creativity and connection in their classrooms—from STEM exploration to bilingual literacy and preschool play.

From STEM to storytelling

Fourth-grade teacher Katie Young at PSES is using her grant for “From Curiosity to Creation: STEM for Growing Minds.” The funds will provide supplies for hands-on learning in engineering, coding and scientific exploration.

Empowering students in every language

At the same school, Julie Fox, an English Language Development teacher, is building a bilingual library. “Bilingual texts will empower students to see their culture and language reflected in their learning, promote inclusivity, and encourage families to engage in shared reading at home,” she explained. Her students speak Spanish, Vietnamese, Navajo and Portuguese—and these 40 new bilingual books will help bridge those worlds.

Tools of the trade

At Pagosa Family School (PFS), art teacher Lisa Kopplinger is rebuilding her art program with Rotary’s help. “The program will not only foster artistic ability but also cultivate a deeper understanding of art’s role in society,” she wrote.

Her grant will fund durable tools to last for years. These tools “are the keys that will unlock new creative possibilities for our students, fostering their skills and confidence as artists,” Kopplinger added.

Drawing inspiration from the wild

Fellow PFS teacher Linda Lutomski, who teaches K–4 Art/STEAM, requested books and photo references for lessons connecting art with nature. “Each year, as I introduce animals and nature to my students, we learn about environments and adaptations,” she said. The materials help students observe and compare, she adds, “a great literacy plus.”

Mini grants, big ripple

Each of these mini grants represents a spark—one that lights up curiosity, creativity, and compassion in classrooms across Archuleta County.

And, in true Rotarian spirit, when the available funds were exhausted but one more worthy project remained, two members of the Rotary Mini Grant Committee quietly stepped up and contributed from their own pockets. Their generosity made it possible to fund “A Little Sunshine” at Pagosa Springs Elementary School—an initiative led by Renea Smith that is designed to lift staff morale through small tokens of appreciation. The project aims to spread kindness, boost spirits and nurture a more positive, supportive school environment for both teachers and students.

The Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs also awards $20,000 in scholarships annually to graduating seniors, continuing its deep investment in education from preschool to college. And each fall—right around Thanksgiving, a season of gratitude—Rotarians visit local schools to present personal dictionaries to every third-grade student. It’s a cherished tradition that celebrates the joy of learning and reminds young readers that their community believes in their potential.

These opportunities are made possible through the generous support of our community—Rotary sponsorships, participation in fundraisers and donations to the Pagosa Rotary Community Assistance Fund. Together, we’re helping students and teachers thrive at every stage of their educational journey.

When you give to Rotary, you’re giving to every child whose world gets a little brighter because a teacher had the means to dream big.

Learn more at pagosaspringsrotary.org.