For the past 30 years, the Oxford School District Foundation has been recognizing excellent teachers by accepting grant applications for funds that teachers need to enhance student learning in their various classrooms.

This year, OSDF has recognized 28 teachers at every school and center in the district with Awards for Teacher Innovation.

“The OSDF board is thrilled to have received at least twice as many Teacher Innovation grant proposals as we’ve had in past years,” said OSDF board member and grants committee leader Susie Adams. “The proposals selected for funding are for materials and equipment that will enhance our teachers’ abilities to engage students in innovative ways that address a variety of learning styles.”

OSDF is awarding more than $51,000 to fund these innovation efforts and incoming foundation president Allyson Best said she’s particularly excited about the impact of the grants this year.

“We are in every school this year and just about every subject, but thanks to our donors we have a chance to truly transform two departments in the high school,” Best said.

The physics and the visual arts programs are getting a significant investment to expand the number and types of courses they can offer to Oxford students.

All of the money used to fund these teacher proposals comes from three sources: membership fees, sales of Oxford School District car tags and donations. This year has set records for memberships and dollars raised.

“The Oxford School District Foundation has seen a steady growth because of several factors. First, our board has made a conscious effort to bring awareness to our mission through events like the Charger Challenge and the Charger Kickoff Tailgate. Also, Superintendent Brian Harvey and our district personnel have stood with us and supported everything we have done to promote the Oxford School District Foundation and its commitment to education,” said Camie Bianco, who steps down as the OSDF president in May.

The grant winners were recognized at the Monday school board meeting and will receive their funds in time for the upcoming academic year.

For more information about the car tag campaign or to become a member of OSDF, log on to http://bit.ly/OxfordSchools.