We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025-2026 Classroom Innovation Grants! Through the generous support from the annual Dan McLaughlin Charity Golf Tournament, Vertical Raise fundraiser, and private donations, these outstanding educators will have the opportunity to bring their creative ideas to life, enhancing learning experiences for students with disabilities.

See the Full List of 2025-2026 Grant Recipients

Amanda Wise of Litzsinger School is one of our grant recipients. She spearheaded a rewards system for students to meet their online instructional goals in iReady and now Exact Path. With her support and dedicated classroom teachers, the PRiME Center at St. Louis University announced that Litzsinger School has received two awards for promoting outstanding student growth during the 2022-23 school year. Litzsinger ranked 4th in “Beating the Odds” for mathematics growth and 11th in statewide mathematics growth for all students.

“I was so excited to receive the news that our grant was approved for this upcoming year,” stated Wise. “Litzsinger recently received two awards from the PRiME Center at St. Louis University for our growth in mathematics. Our principal Kathy Russ attributed the rewards system for both iReady and Exact Path as one of our keys to success. Thank you again SEF for your continued support of Litzsinger!”

Read the full article on the SSD website.

Since 2002, the Special Education Foundation’s Classroom Innovation Grants program has provided crucial funding to teachers of students with disabilities, enabling them to implement creative and effective teaching strategies that go beyond what traditional tax-funded budgets can support. Recognizing that educators have the best insights into their students’ needs, this program bridges financial gaps and brings innovative ideas to life.

By supporting unique classroom projects, the grants enhance learning experiences, improve student engagement, and serve as models for broader implementation in other educational settings, ultimately benefiting the wider special education community.

Please join us in celebrating these educators and their commitment to transforming special education! The recipients will receive their accounts in July to begin making purchases for their projects. Stay tuned for updates on the incredible projects they will be implementing next school year.

Thank you for your continued support in making a difference in the lives of students with disabilities.