TEF Awards Over $20K in Grants to TVUSD Teachers
Since 2011, TEF has awarded over $170,000 to Temecula educators for classroom enrichment in arts and science.
TEMECULA, CA – April 10, 2019 – At the April 9 Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) Governing Board Meeting, the Temecula Education Foundation (TEF) presented 44 TVUSD educators with funds to support enrichment programs benefiting students at over 20 school sites. Funded applications were limited to $500 each; grants awarded this year totaled over $20,000.
Curriculum support grants for enrichment activities focusing on visual arts, performing arts, culinary arts, and sciences were made available to educators in all TVUSD schools. Grant applications were due October 31, 2018. Per TEF guidelines, monies must support curriculum for students in the current school year.
Speaking on behalf of the foundation, TEF Director Mark Katan congratulates our teachers and principals. “We’re pleased to continue to support educators whose passion and creativity make a difference in the classroom. This is the eighth year our foundation has been able to fund grants to these excellent teachers. We can’t fund all requests as our dollars are limited; we focus on applications we feel will impact the greatest number of students. Our mission is to enhance and improve learning opportunities for all students within TVUSD.”
“Community events – like the TEF-sponsored “Taste of Temecula Valley,” TEF summer high school accelerated courses, as well as financial support from local businesses and community partners enable us to support our teachers and provide enriched curriculum for students. We’re grateful for the ongoing support from the Temecula community,” adds TEF Director Morris Myers.

Grant recipients recognized were:
- Barnett ES – Kristen Hamilton
- Bella Vista MS – Eric Davisson, Tracy Picquelle
- Crowne Hill ES – Tanya Ingigarida
- Chaparral HS – RS Carey, Joy Cruz, Kathleen McFadden, Kristan Morales, Kristan Olko
- French Valley ES – Kari Carlson
- Gardner MS – Quynh (Kristi) Gin, Gina Held
- Great Oak HS – Lora Sanders, Tammy Draughon, Molly Newman
- LaVorgna ES – Jeanette Maggiore-Anet, Michelle Pourier
- Margarita MS – Leanne Lugo, Terri Pinkerton
- Nicolas Valley ES – Mary Jimenez, Theresa Oakes, Aileen Khormann
- Paloma ES – Steve Molstre, Carrie Nimmo, Robin Orner
- Pauba Valley ES – Kimberly Szwast
- Rancho ES – Ashley Capehart, Carrie Schwartz-Richardson
- Red Hawk ES – Renee Morales, Elizabeth Tarry
- S.H. Nelson – Gala Parker
- S.H. Nelson / Excelsior / Virtual Adv. – Greg Cooke
- Temecula ES – Kathleen Fink
- Temecula Luiseño ES – Ariana Kraft, Sandy Souza
- Temecula MS – Ivan Aviles
- Tony Tobin ES – Sharon Constantino
- Temecula Valley HS – Tobin Brannon, Anastasia Lewis, Lori Ruziska
- Vintage Hills ES – Renee Vacco
- Vail Ranch MS – Kacey Cesar, Kelly Maxey, Suzanne Stock
About TEF & Taste of Temecula Valley (TOTV):
In addition to operating fee-based summer high school enrichment classes since 2011, TEF also hosts the annual Taste of Temecula Valley (TOTV) community event, which is scheduled for its ninth year on April 26 and 27, 2019. TOTV brings together dozens of area restaurants, wineries, and craft breweries in front of City Hall in Old Town Temecula to raise funds that support the foundation’s mission to enhance and improve learning opportunities for students in Grades K-12 in the Temecula Valley Unified School District.
temeculaeducationfoundation.org / tasteoftemeculavalley.com
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