In honor of Springfield Public Schools’ 150th anniversary, the Springfield Chapter of the Missouri State Teachers Association donated $5,000 to the Foundation for SPS March 30.

The one-time donation showcases the group’s commitment to teachers supporting other teachers, said Margaret Watson, educational diagnostician at SPS and president of the Springfield chapter of MSTA.

“Our local group is here to support our local teachers; that’s just our philosophy,” said Watson. “Sometimes that’s verbal support or leadership training, but sometimes it’s through special financial contributions. This is just another way to make sure our members, teachers and staff know that we’re behind them.”

The $5,000 donation to the Foundation funded a number of teacher-submitted grants. David Rice at Carver Middle School received a grant for technology in his functional skills classroom. Faith Chaney-Grant at Hickory Hills K-8 School received flexible seating for her eighth-grade classroom. Cary Sikes at Gray Elementary School received funds to create a personalized space to learn, and Kimberly Moody at Portland Elementary School received funding for tools for flexible seating choices.

When teachers are financially supported, the impact resonates in many ways, says Natalie Murdock, executive director of the Foundation for SPS.

“Our teachers face a lot of challenges in the classroom, and they provide that support that students need so much,” said Murdock. “So to have community members and organizations that are willing to give back to the classroom doesn’t just impact our current students, but it also impacts students in the years to come.”