The Deer Valley Education Foundation awarded impact grants to 33 teachers, which will go to support special projects and impact more than 8,500 students. Funding was made available through corporate donations from USAA Foundation, personal donations and through fundraising, according to Deer Valley Unified School District spokeswoman Monica Allread.

The DVEF seeks opportunities for programs, projects and activities that directly impact students and could not otherwise be paid by DVUSD.

The grants are awarded once per year and DVEF Executive Director Marie Brennan said they try to fund a minimum of $10,000 in grants per year and have funded up to $18,000. Funding depends not only on the amount the foundation receives, plus any additional funds the DVEF votes to allocate, but also the quality of the grant applications received.

"I love my job for that reason I am so very grateful to have this opportunity to write grants and network with community members and companies who understand the need that educators have for additional tools for their classrooms," Ms. Brenan said. "These grants are ways that teachers can go above and beyond to enhance learning opportunities for their students. How lucky am I to be able to be a part of this?"

The district’s 34,000-student population has not been afforded financial support from the state of Arizona regarding classroom pilot projects or expanding school programs nor has there been funding to reward teachers for the outstanding job they do with the children, said Ms. Brennan.

"With the challenges education is now facing, our students and teachers are negatively impacted. Deer Valley Education Foundation’s purpose is to raise the standards of education within our community to support programs that will strengthen our children’s educational experience," she said.

Specialized developmental preschool teacher Brittnee McKinley from Mountain Shadows Elementary was awarded an impact grant this year of $500. The grant money allows her to provide sensory supports to students, so they can function within the classroom.

"I sought funding so that I could create a ‘calming room for all’ and this money allows us to buy those items that meet the sensory needs of our students," she said. "The intent of the room is to provide students with a room in which they go to as a break from all of the stimuli they encounter within the classroom."

Second-grade teacher at Sierra Verde, April Smith, was awarded a $390 impact grant. She was able to purchase mentor text for their reading program and will support Ms. Smith’s students as readers and writers and save her time searching for the tools she needs.

"I have been teaching for DVUSD for 18 years and I love it," she said. "This school district provides extraordinary opportunities for students and staff. This grant is just one example. I am excited to start using the books I have purchased to enrich my teaching and help my students grow as readers and writing."