(From left: President East Lansing Educational Foundation Julie Cawood,MacDonald Middle School teacher Matt Christians, Red Cedar Teacher Lorraine Ware, Marble Elementary Principal Ruth Riddle, and ELEF Board Member Rich Mikel)   

On February 17, 2009, the East Lansing Educational Foundation (ELEF) surprised East Lansing teachers gathered for a day of professional development with the announcement of the winners of the foundation’s first Collaboration Grants focused on technology.

Red Cedar Elementary, Marble Elementary and MacDonald Middle School will all receive funding for digital projectors and cameras as winners of the ELEF awards. In total, $16,000 will be distributed among the three schools.

“With this new Collaboration Grant,” explains Rich Mikel of the ELEF Board and Grant Committee, “we are moving the foundation forward into the realm of technology, especially technology that brings students and teachers together to collaborate around the curriculum.”  

Forty-one East Lansing teachers were surprised with balloons and applause in mid-February as the East Lansing Educational Foundation (ELEF) gave out the Spring 2008 Grants for Teachers Awards. For the second time, enthusiastic “Prize Patrols” awarded teachers their grants while they taught in their classrooms, giving students a chance to cheer their teachers.

On February 13, 2008, ELEF approved grants totaling $9,282.00. The next round of grants will be awarded in Fall 2008. Each year, ELEF runs two rounds of grants per school year and funds approximately $20,000 through the Grants for Teachers Program.

(Visit the PROGRAMS >> TEACHER GRANTS page for more information.)

The East Lansing Educational Foundation has awarded grants directly to teachers for twenty three years to provide them with materials and experiences that enhance learning in their classrooms.

On October 10, 2007 the East Lansing Educational Foundation awarded 35 teacher grants totaling $11,380.00. The new ELEF 'Prize Patrol' visited classrooms on October 22, 2007 and presented the grant awards to the teachers and students. Celebration and excitement were shared by all!

(Visit the PROGRAMS >> TEACHER GRANTS page for more information.)

(Left to right:  Julie Cawood (ELEF President), Rollie & Marilyn Ledebuhr (Theda Assiff Award recipients for distinguished community service) and Mark Meadow (State Representative)) 

Thank you for making our 7^th Annual East Lansing Educational Awards Dinner, held on May 3, 2007, a huge success.  The East Lansing Educational Foundation raised over $15,000 during the evening, through ticket sales, the silent auction and golf tournament, and sponsorships.  These funds will go directly into classrooms through the ELEF Teacher Grant program, which awards funding for academics, the arts, and physical and social development. 

We thank all of the donors who generously supported the silent auction. Their donated gifts made for a very successful silent auction.  We also thank the various companies who sponsored our golf outing. Thanks again to everyone who participated!! 

(Visit the PROGRAMS >> ANNUAL AWARDS RECOGITION page for more information.)