Creativity. Passion. Excitement. Excellence.

Do these words come to mind when you think of our public-school classrooms? They should. Amazing teachers across the district are bringing these qualities to the classroom every day.

For 19 years, the Partners in Education Foundation for the Santa Fe Public Schools has given grants to teachers for innovative, creative, curriculum-based classroom projects that the school district can't afford to fund. Last year, Partners gave out $77,000 to 95 teachers for projects, including:

u Medically fragile and physically impaired students at Agua Fría Elementary were able to experience movement in new ways in a therapeutic water program at the Chavez Center. Special-education teacher Carolina Rivera wrote: "The physical therapist, who has been working with these children for many years, saw two of the children walk for the first time ever in the water."

u Students at Tesuque Elementary School worked for months to put on a Science Fair and Science Discovery Night, inviting family members to participate as well.

u All 260 Atalaya students, from kindergarten through sixth grade, plus staff, teachers and parents, explored the culture of Japan from folk tales to calligraphy, haiku to tea ceremonies.

u Special-education students at Capital High School gained career and business skills through the Barkery, a bakery that makes dog treats. Sales of the dog biscuits help to fund the program throughout the year.

u Young residential students at the New Mexico School for the Deaf were thrilled to receive boxes of new books to read at bedtime.

For 2008-09, we have received 109 grant requests totaling more than $150,000. Thanks to many generous supporters including Thornburg Investment Management, which made a substantial contribution; Buckaroo Ball, which has granted $17,280 for the program; Wild Oats; the Santa Fe Association of Realtors; Santa María de la Paz Catholic Community; Dressman's Gifts; McDowell Construction Company; and numerous individual donors, we currently have enough funding to cover about half of these requests. Without additional donations, many deserving projects will go unfunded. Now that students and teachers have returned to the classroom, we would like to distribute the awards so that teachers can begin their projects as soon as possible.

By sponsoring a teacher grant, you can help our teachers bring learning to life for students and have a tangible, direct impact on a classroom.

If you would like to sponsor part or all of a Teacher Grant for this school year, please
call Partners in Education at 474-0240.

Ruthanne Greeley is executive director, Partners in Education Foundation for the Santa Fe Public Schools. For more information, contact 474-0240 or rgreeley@sfpartnersineducation.org. Correspondence can be sent to: Partners in Education Foundation, PO Box 23374, Santa Fe, NM 87502.