The Ed Fund is thrilled to be awarding $300,963 in Educator Impact Grants in 2024-25 – the most funding for this initiative we have ever distributed in a single school year! In November, we announced the distribution of over $187,000 in Educator Impact Grants, and we’re excited to share details on our next wave of funding. These grants empower educators to create impactful opportunities that drive student attendance, increase student sense of belonging, and ultimately help increase morale overall.
These projects address diverse needs, from supporting English-Language Learners and students with special needs to promoting sustainability, mental health, and school pride. Whether it’s through hands-on science experiments, collaborative art installations, or outdoor adventures, each initiative is designed to provide students with meaningful experiences that have resounding impacts beyond the classroom
Read on to explore the inspiring ways educators and schools are using these grants to drive impact and foster lifelong learning.
Elementary Schools:
Cleveland | School Mural
Jonathan Schulz, community school coordinator, received $8,500 to create a collaborative school mural in partnership with 1AM San Francisco. This project will transform blank, graffiti-prone walls into vibrant, student-designed artwork, fostering a sense of belonging and community pride among the school’s 200 students. The grant will fund planning sessions with staff, students, and families, as well as mural design and painting phases, where students and families will participate in hands-on art days. The initiative aims to strengthen school belonging by engaging the entire school community, including ELL, Tier 2, and differently-abled students, in a creative and tangible project. Success will be measured through ongoing student and family surveys tracking positive responses to school belonging and participation in the mural process, with the project slated for completion by June 2025.
Guadalupe | Turf for Soccer Area
Dr. Raj Narayan Sharma, principal, received $10,000 to install a soccer turf on the school’s athletic field. This project will create a safe, inclusive space for students to engage in physical activities, boosting their mental health, well-being, and sense of belonging. The project will primarily benefit vulnerable populations, including English Learners (EL), Hispanic students, newcomers, and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The timeline includes fundraising, securing funds, design and permitting, turf installation, and a launch event in June 2025. Success will be measured through student engagement, attendance, and school culture, with post-project evaluations to assess long-term impacts.
Longfellow | Field of Dreams
Luis Roberto Ostolaza, community school coordinator, received $10,000 to transform the school’s lower yard into a vibrant Astroturf field through the “Field of Dreams” initiative. This project will provide nearly 500 students and community members with a safe, accessible space for soccer, free play, and community gatherings. The grant will fund the installation of the turf, which aims to reduce injuries, promote physical activity, and foster joyful, inclusive play. Additionally, the project seeks to enhance school pride and provide a visible improvement to the playground. The initiative focuses on benefiting ELL students and those with special needs, supporting mental health and cooperation through experiential learning opportunities. Success will be measured by attendance tracking and community feedback, with the project timeline including supply procurement and installation, expected to be completed in collaboration with America Scores by summer 2025.
Taylor (Edward R.) | Living Things Life Cycle and Animal Habitats
Laura Hy, a classroom teacher, received $2,290 for a hands-on project titled “Living Things Life Cycle and Animal Habitats.” This project will provide 37 second and third-grade students, primarily English Language Learners, with experiential learning opportunities to observe live animals and study life cycles. The funds will support a field trip to Elkus Ranch, where students will learn about animal habitats and care. Additionally, students will incubate and hatch chicken eggs in the classroom, documenting their learning through science journals and a class-published book. Success will be measured through student attendance, writing reflections, and completed journals, culminating in the production of their class book.
Taylor (Edward R.) | SDC Culinary Artistas
Nicole Miller, a Special Education teacher, received $2,700 to fund a project titled “SDC Culinary Artistas.” This initiative will engage 10 students in the 3rd to 5th grade Special Day Class (SDC) Autism classroom in hands-on cooking experiences designed to foster independence, confidence, and joy. The grant will support two in-class visits with Culinary Artistas instructors and two field trips to their kitchen at Ghirardelli Square. Students will prepare recipes during these sessions, learning valuable life skills in a supportive environment tailored to their diverse needs. Success will be measured through attendance on field trip days and feedback forms from both students and parents, ensuring the project creates meaningful and joyful learning experiences.
Visitacion Valley | Visitacion Valley and El Dorado Elementary Schools Merger as One
Michelle Vidal, school social worker, received $10,000 in funding for a mural project that will commemorate the merger of Visitacion Valley and El Dorado Elementary schools. The mural will document the collaboration and the community’s collective journey through the merger, with participation from both schools’ students and families. The project will involve community planning sessions, in partnership with a local muralist, to create a visual representation of the histories of both schools and their communities. The project aims to promote healing, joy, and unity through creative storytelling. Success will be tracked through attendance at planning sessions, surveys, and videos documenting the process, impacting 365 students across all grade levels at both schools.
Middle Schools / K-8:
Bessie Carmichael K-8 | Experiential Learning through Gold Rush
Yingshi Liang, classroom teacher, received $5,000 to fund an experiential learning field trip for her 4th-grade class to the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park in Coloma, CA. The trip will provide an immersive, hands-on experience exploring California history, indigenous cultures, and the Gold Rush era. Activities will include a guided tour, gold panning, and historical exploration. Funds will cover transportation and educational program fees. Success will be tracked through attendance, feedback surveys, teacher reflections, and post-trip class projects, impacting 50 students, including those with IEPs and English language learners.
Bessie Carmichael K-8 | Fifth Grade Home Ec/Cooking Club
Daniella Camacho, 5th grade teacher, received $5,000 to establish a Fifth Grade Home Economics/Cooking Club. This initiative aims to provide students with hands-on experiential learning opportunities, including cooking monthly recipes inspired by cultural heritage, sewing, and gardening activities. Funds will cover essential materials, ingredients, Woobles crochet kits, gardening supplies, and field trips with Culinary Artistas and Foodwise Kids. The club, scheduled weekly from September 2024 to May 2025, fosters life skills, creativity, and cultural pride, promoting student mental health and well-being. Success will be tracked through attendance, participation, and exit surveys to assess student engagement and the impact of activities. The project targets all 66 fifth-grade students, aiming to build independence, confidence, and community connections through joyful, skill-building experiences.
Buena Vista/ Horace Mann K-8 | Carnaval 2025: “Raíces afrolatinas/Afro-Latin Roots”
Bob Armstrong, art coordinator, received $9,965 for the school’s participation in the Carnaval San Francisco parade. The theme, “Raíces afrolatinas/Afro-Latin Roots,” will celebrate Afro-Latin heritage through a 20-foot float representing the Brazilian rainforest, with costumes and performances involving over 200 students. For 40 years, BVHM has participated in Carnaval, the Mission’s signature parade and celebration of Latinx culture, and the biggest event of the year for the school. The project offers experiential learning, fosters cultural pride, and supports student mental health by engaging students in creative activities like float construction, costume making, and music and dance rehearsals. Success will be tracked through participation rates, parent involvement, and recognition from the Carnaval Festival.
Denman | Denman Digital Media Arts Pathway: Design, Skateboards, and AI
Henry Francisco, teacher, received $10,000 to support Denman’s Digital Media Arts Pathway program, which connects 8th graders with Balboa High School’s 11th-grade students. The grant will fund Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions, DSLR cameras, blank skateboard decks, and printing supplies for creative projects like designing skateboard graphics and posters. Students will also host an art and design exhibition in Spring 2025. Success will be measured through student engagement, attendance at exhibitions, and tracking students’ continuation in arts programs. This initiative will impact 60 students, including those with IEPs, by fostering creativity and exploring career opportunities in arts and media.
Denman | Upcycle/Fashion Design/Sewing Class
Anna Dagum, teacher, received $1,200 to create an Upcycle/Fashion Design/Sewing class as part of her Eco Art elective and a second-semester sewing club. The funds will be used to teach students sewing techniques, safety, and clothing design skills, with a focus on upcycling and sustainability. The project will engage 30–50 middle schoolers (grades 6–8), fostering self-expression and creativity while promoting mental health through skill development and resourcefulness. Success will be measured by attendance tracking and student surveys. The initiative aligns with her Eco Art curriculum, addressing overconsumption and encouraging sustainable practices.
Martin Luther King Jr. | Expanding Digital and Media Art Access and Offerings
Jackson Whittington, art teacher, received $10,000 to expand access to digital art tools for MLK students by purchasing additional iPads and Apple Pencils. Building on last year’s success, this grant will enable more students to explore digital art, animation, and game design, impacting 350 students school-wide, including English language learners and students with special needs. Projects include a stop-motion animation unit, game design proposals, and a digital art lunch club. Success will be tracked through student engagement, self-evaluations, and attendance. The initiative aims to promote creativity, healing, and future career exploration, with completion expected by June 2025.
High Schools:
Mission | Dance Studio Build
Jeshuah Sky, dance teacher and program director, received $5,000 to complete a dance studio upgrade, including Wi-Fi-enabled workstations with tablets and “silent disco” headphones. This will allow students to work in small groups, listening to different audio tracks, while fostering an environment that values the performing arts. Funds will also support aesthetic improvements like student cubbies and plants. The project will impact approximately 150 students, including ELLs and special needs students, by promoting personalized learning, group collaboration, and student ownership over their practice. Success will be measured through surveys, participation, and growth in the dance program.
Mission | Mission Success Program
Milenna Montoya, program coordinator, received $3,920 to support the Mission Success Program, which aims to guide freshmen and sophomores through college and career exploration. This program will help students explore higher education and career pathways, participate in community service, and attend college and career workshops. The grant will fund supplies for these activities, including field trips to college campuses and career sites, and provide food for participants. Success will be tracked through academic progress, attendance, and participation in financial literacy workshops. This program will impact 44 first-generation, low-income, and newcomer students, promoting mental well-being through a sense of belonging and purpose.
Mission | Exploring Food with Friends
Sara Kosoff, a health teacher, received $10,000 to fund her project, “Explore Food with Friends,” for a second consecutive year and expand its impact. This initiative will provide 430 high school students, including newcomer and mainstream health students, with experiential learning opportunities centered around food, nutrition, and community connections. The funds will support activities such as cooking lessons with seasonal produce, field trips to San Francisco farmers markets, and visits to the SF Main Library’s teen center, “The Mix,” where students can cook together using local ingredients. Additionally, the grant will help purchase basic kitchen equipment for classroom use. Success will be measured through pre- and post-project surveys, attendance tracking, and student feedback, with a focus on building positive relationships with food and fostering joyful, hands-on learning experiences.
