Culver City Rotary Community Foundation Supports CCUSD Teacher Grants

On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the Culver City Education Foundation and members of the Culver City Rotary Community Foundation presented Teacher Grants of up to $200 to 102 CCUSD educators who work with students ranging from preschool to high school. Preschool, TK, and kindergarten teachers are using their grant funds for hands-on materials that can either be used to calm and aid in self-regulation or to stimulate play-based engagement in STEM concepts. In elementary grades teachers are testing out fun and innovative ways to encourage literacy, creative self expression, and math and science enrichment for students in ways that can appeal to computer-savvy video gamers. Special Education teachers, interventionists, and school counselors are obtaining tools to support the whole child while closing achievement and opportunity gaps among students of diverse abilities.

A common theme echoed by many teachers across all grades is the power of diverse books in multiple languages that “provide students with mirrors that affirm their own identities, and windows that open them to new perspectives,” explained an elementary classroom teacher. An elementary instructional coach has witnessed students’ expression change when reading a book “because they see themselves in a story. These same students ask to talk to me after and share their incredible resilience and questions that they have after hearing that they are not alone. Book sets that allow all students in one class to read along with the same novel was a very popular request since the act of reading in the book club format can “shift reading from an isolated activity into a shared experience, one where students learn to appreciate different perspectives and strengthen their communication skills. They also build community in the classroom, giving every student a voice in conversations about characters, themes, and life lessons.” 

Other educators will use the funds for specialized materials for special STEM and arts-based projects, such as a group of 5th grade teachers at El Marino who will use their Rotary grants to develop a bilingual vermicomposting project in both Spanish and Japanese, which “gives students the chance to learn science in a memorable, authentic way that strengthens their Spanish (or Japanese) while sparking curiosity and environmental stewardship.

As a 7th grade science teacher who received funds for safety goggles, preserved specimens for dissections, and consumable lab tools for use by 150 students explained, “Middle school is a turning point in students’ academic lives, and science often determines whether they see themselves as capable problem-solvers or as “not a science person.” Seventh grade is also the year when students transition into more advanced scientific thinking—designing experiments, interpreting data, and applying cross-cutting concepts. This investment will continue to benefit future students as reusable items are used year after year.”

From brand-new classrooms that are just getting established to long-established programs that are trying to stay one step ahead in preparing students for future careers, this year’s grant projects address a wide range of needs. Our deep gratitude to our Business Community Partners at the CCRCF for their generous ongoing support!