Five Charlottesville City Schools teachers are the recipients of grants from the Public Education Foundation Charlottesville-Albemarle (PEFCA) for the 2025-26 school year. Congratulations to the following: 

• Jessica Scott, Burnley-Moran, “BME Earth Stewards”
• Jessica Pedersen, Jackson-Via, “Equitable Access in Enrichment”
• Ida Cummings, Jackson-Via, “Writing Together: Strengthening Home-School Connections”
• Amy Wissekerke, Walker, “Classroom Economics for 6th Grade”
• Beth Bohannon, Walker, “Positive Pathways: Incentivizing Growth & Engagement”
• Amy Wissekerke & Beth Bohannon, “Walker, Together We Lead: Enhancing School Community & Engagement”

“Our goal for the Teacher Innovation Grants is to inspire teachers to create and try new ideas and engage students,” noted PEFCA Executive Director Penny Harrison. “PEFCA offers funds outside the scope of current public school resources.”

Details about CCS PEFCA Grant-Winning Projects
Jessica Scott, Burnley-Moran Elementary School
BME Earth Stewards
Students get to be part of the solution! BME Earth Stewards are Second, Third, and Fourth Graders learning composting and reducing compostable waste from our landfill. Using data, students see the measurable impact they are making when they compost food scraps at the school and witness the entire cycle of their impact. Math and data collection will be included in this project. 300 students will be impacted, and 2 teachers are involved in this project.

Jessica Pedersen, Jackson-Via Elementary School
Equitable Access in Enrichment: Making Specials Inclusive for All 
Jackson-Via will create a more inclusive environment for students with disabilities as they join their homeroom classes for Specials (Art, Music, Library, and ISTEM) with adaptive equipment. This project ensures equal access for students with disabilities across the curriculum. Imagine a grip-assist to help one hold a paintbrush or musical instrument. This enhancement allows for more participation by students who need the assistance. It also reinforces the philosophy that values every learner while cultivating social skills, teamwork, and respect among students. 370 students will be impacted, and 6 teachers will be involved in this project.

Ida Cummings, Jackson-Via Elementary School
Writing Together: Strengthening Home-School Connections
This is a writing workshop for second-grade students and their parents. This partnership increases family involvement in writing activities that students can do at home. This workshop focuses on family involvement, which studies show improves student engagement, motivation, and academic achievement. Advancement in writing skills will benefit students in all subjects studied. 60 students were impacted, and 1 teacher was involved in this project.

Amy Wissekerke, Walker Upper Elementary School
Classroom Economics for 6th Grade
This class teaches fiscal responsibility, how to save and budget, and how to apply math skills to real-world decision-making, such as mortgaging, borrowing, paying interest, analyzing and investing in the stock market, and forming cooperatives. Students earn “class cash” for completing classroom jobs and meeting and/or exceeding school classroom expectations. They pay “rent” for their desks and save money for goods during class auctions. This project has become popular among students. It’s fun and engaging while educational. 60 students and 1 teacher are involved in this project.

Beth Bohannon, Walker Upper Elementary School
Positive Pathways: Incentivizing Growth & Engagement
This system, which supports a school store with raffled items and monthly reward events, fosters pride and ownership among students, goal setting, teamwork, and collaboration. This project leverages the “Class Cash” 6th-grade economics class to boost positive behaviors, motivate students, and enhance a sense of ownership and responsibility. 635 students and 67 teachers are involved in this project.

Beth Bohannon & Amy Wissekerke, Walker Upper Elementary School
Together We Lead: Enhancing School Community & Engagement
The last year for Walker Upper Elementary School, established in 1966, will be 2025-2026, as a new school will serve the community. Teachers want to make the last years of Walker Upper Elementary memorable and positive for the last students to attend the school. Once a school full of educational clubs and healthy activities, the pandemic caused a complete shutdown of clubs. Teachers hope to restart and renew clubs across the school during the day as the students prepare for transition. Through the imminent transition, Walker will use this grant to build and support students and teachers with the resources to direct a club with student input. 635 students and more than 50 teachers will be included in the project.