Among the 2025-26 Boardman Schools Fund for Educational Excellence winners are world language teachers Katelyn Kridler (Spanish and English language learners), left, and Gianna Pishotti (Italian). They won $8,400 to purchase approximately 12 Meta Quest 3S virtual reality headsets for their department.

BOARDMAN — The Boardman Schools Fund for Educational Excellence has announced its 2025-26 teacher grant recipients, awarding 12 innovative projects and 27 teachers more than $27,000.

The grants will bring a wide range of new tools and experiences into classrooms across the district, including virtual reality headsets, standing desks, resistance bands, iPads, geometric manipulatives, microbits and hydroponic kits, LEGO materials and equipment for building both small- and large-scale catapults.

Established in 2009, the BSFEE provides funding for creative, hands-on projects that expand educational opportunities and enhance student learning in the school district. Over the years, the teacher grants program has become a vital partner for educators seeking to bring new ideas, technology and enrichment into their classrooms.

On Thursday, the BSFEE recognized 27 educators and staff members representing grades K-12 whose projects will soon be implemented throughout the district. Teachers, administrators and community supporters gathered to celebrate the impact these grants will have on students in classrooms, labs, gyms and playgrounds.

Because of donations from individuals, families and businesses throughout the Boardman community, BSFEE has awarded more than $180,000 in grants since its inception. Additional support this year included a $5,000 grant from the Aimee and Lulu Seidel Foundation and a $2,000 annual donation from the Boardman Education Association — funds that make it possible for teachers to turn creative ideas into meaningful learning experiences.

Several of this year’s grant recipients shared how their projects will directly benefit students.

At Boardman High School, world language teachers Gianna Pishotti (Italian 2 & 3) and Katelyn Kridler (Spanish 3 and English Language Learners) were awarded $8,400 to purchase approximately 12 Meta Quest 3S virtual reality headsets for their department.

“With the rapid development of AI language translation, we are working to increase student interest and engagement in world language courses,” Pishotti said. “These headsets will help motivate students, strengthen enrollment and create exciting opportunities for learning. The educational possibilities are endless.”

The virtual reality technology will allow students to practice conversations with virtual speakers, explore famous cities and monuments and experience immersive environments — from walking through historic streets to taking virtual dives into the deep ocean. Teachers believe the hands-on, experiential nature of the technology will enhance speaking, listening, writing and vocabulary skills while making language learning more engaging and relevant.

At the elementary level, first-grade teacher Austin Hostetter, along with teammates Dana McKnight, Gina Roth, Jill Jones and Barb Gonda, received $832.44 for the literacy program “Secret Stories.” The program will be used to support early readers who need additional help beyond the district’s core curriculum.

“We asked for this program because it fills a real need for students who require extra support,” Hostetter said. “It creates an emotional connection to phonics that we don’t always get with traditional instruction. We plan to use it in both small groups and whole-class lessons, especially for students who don’t quite connect with our main phonics program.”

Teachers say the program will help build confidence, engagement and foundational reading skills at a critical stage of development.

At Boardman Glenwood Junior High School, eighth-grade science teacher Laura Frost and science and English Language Arts teacher Michael Geffert were awarded approximately $1,500 to purchase materials for student-built catapults and for constructing a full-scale trebuchet — a powerful medieval siege engine that uses a long arm, a sling, and a heavy counterweight to hurl massive projectiles great distances — to be demonstrated later in the spring.

Geffert explained that the project gives students a hands-on way to learn core science concepts tied to the Ohio Learning Standards.

“Students will explore forces and motion, energy transfer and the engineering design process by actually building, testing, and revising their own machines,” he said.

Students will design working catapults, collect data, analyze results and make improvements based on their findings. The full-scale trebuchet will provide a dramatic demonstration of the same principles on a larger scale, while also connecting science to history and social studies through discussions of how such machines were used and how engineering solutions have evolved over time.

Geffert said the grant supports a learning environment that emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

“Projects like this show students that science is active and dynamic. We’re very grateful to BSFEE for helping make this possible,” he said.

At Boardman High School, computer science teacher Scott Lenhart received $2,000 to purchase micro:bits (mini-computers), hydroponic kits designed to work with micro:bits, and smart soldering kits.

“These tools will allow students to write programs that control real devices,” Lenhart said. “Instead of just coding on a screen, students will see their programs turn lights on and off, monitor water levels, and control pumps. It encourages creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning.”

Students in Lenhart’s classes will use the micro:bits to code and automate hydroponic systems, while those in IT and repair courses will practice basic soldering and hardware assembly before programming the devices to function properly. Lenhart added that the project supports a broader understanding of computer science.

“It’s not just about coding –i t’s about understanding how technology works and how we can use it to solve real problems,” he said.

Danielle Siembida and Steve Stahura, physical education teachers at Boardman Glenwood Junior High, were awarded $1,500 to purchase new resistance bands for their department.

“Our current equipment is worn and needs to be replaced,” Siembida said. “These new bands will support our strength-training program and help students learn proper techniques, as well as how to design and maintain a fitness routine they can use throughout their lives.”

The updated equipment will allow students to safely explore strength training, improve physical fitness and develop habits that promote long-term health.

At Boardman High School, Drone Piloting and Media Production teachers Joseph Hollabaugh and David Battaglia received $1,500 for a wireless communication system that will allow students to communicate with teammates and clients during flights and filming projects.

“Right now, we can’t always communicate effectively with students and clients when flying in locations away from our control center,” Hollabaugh said. “This system will allow our pilots to stay close to the drone while remaining in contact with the team.”

The equipment will improve safety, coordination and technical communication skills while giving students experience with professional-grade tools used in real-world media and aviation settings.

At Stadium Drive Elementary School, Intervention Specialist Kelly Stephens was awarded $1,350 to purchase and install a Playground Communication Board for students in the K-3 intensive needs unit.

“The communication board will support expressive and receptive communication for students who use a variety of communication methods,” Stephens said. “It will encourage meaningful interaction, inclusive play and friendship-building among students of all abilities during unstructured time.”

The board will be accessible to all students during recess and other social opportunities, promoting peer-to-peer communication, social connection and a sense of belonging. “Our school community values inclusion,” Stephens added. “Students are eager to connect with and support one another, and this tool will help make those connections even stronger.”

BSFEE President Heather Belgin praised both the educators who applied for the grants and the community members who make the program possible.

“Our board has tremendous admiration for the ingenuity and dedication of our teachers,” Belgin said. “They consistently go above and beyond to create enriching experiences for students. The success of our teacher grant program wouldn’t be possible without the passion of our educators, the support of the district, and the generosity of our community.”