Rockland’s Most Innovative Teachers Receive Grants

The Rockland Community Foundation, an organization working to improve the quality of life in the region, and Optimum, the leading provider of fiber internet, mobile, and TV services, today announce the recipients of the Innovative Teaching Grant Program. The program is awarding over 20 educators in Rockland County with a grant to enable access to tools, technologies, and experiences to support student success.

Featured grant recipients include:

Christiana Amendola from Clarkstown Central School District (New City, NY): The grant will help develop and provide Assistive Technology Packs for students who are in language learning or special education programs. The packs will make it easier for students to access and use assistive technology within their daily classroom activities, ensuring that all learners can participate fully in their education. 

Colleen Dinnegan from Strawtown Elementary School (West Nyack, NY): The funds will be allocated to purchase new, high-quality cameras for third grade students to participate in the One World Global Connections program. This initiative pairs local classes with classrooms in China or Brazil, enabling students to engage in video sessions to interview their peers abroad, fostering an appreciation for cultural diversity.

Danielle A. Ruiz-Dunlavey from Richard P Connor Elementary School in (Suffern, NY): The grant will support a chick-hatching project in all Kindergarten classrooms at the school, providing hands-on STEM and language learning experiences for all students – including English learners – through activities such as observing the chicken life cycle, using technology, and engaging with bilingual resources.

Additional grant recipients are educators from Cherry Lane Elementary School in Airmont, North Rockland High School in Thiells, South Orangetown Middle School in Blauvelt, Suffern High School in Suffern, El Dorado Elementary School in Chestnut Ridge, and more.

Made possible by Optimum’s $15,000 donation through education nonprofit DonorsChoose, the program – administered by the Rockland Community Foundation – celebrates and supports educators who aim to create engaging, creative, and innovative learning experiences in their classrooms.