Germantown Education Foundation

04/29/2026

GEF Executive Director Joni Hester was
honored by the Germantown Board of Education as GMSD’s nominee for the Tennessee School Board Association Volunteer Recognition Award. Joni was surrounded by her family as Mr. Manuel acknowledged her countless hours of service to GMSD students and staff along with her GEF leadership and vision. Thank you Joni for your continued dedication to the Germantown community.

04/28/2026

Molly Wilson, a Speech-Language Pathologist at Dogwood, recently received a mini-grant for "Adaptive Technology for Special Education Students to help with Communication." These tools will help to increase student engagement across instructional settings allowing the students to participate more fully alongside their peers.

04/24/2026

Lemonade Stand Day registration is officially open! Start making plans and register your stand!

🍋 Registration is officially open for Germantown’s Lemonade Stand Day on Saturday, June 13!

Young entrepreneurs are invited to host their own lemonade stands, learn real-world business skills and give back to the community. Participants will raise funds for the Germantown Education Foundation and a charity of their choice while competing for fun awards and recognition.

Registration includes a T-shirt, yard sign and four complimentary tickets to the Big Squeeze Food Truck Festival.

Don’t miss this opportunity to create, connect and make an impact. To register, visit Germantown-TN.gov/Lemonade

04/15/2026

Germantown Education Foundation presented Alisha Dumas with a “Community Top Donor” award. We are so thankful for Alisha and her support of our GMSD teachers and staff. She also supports our GMSD students with her “Athlete of the Month” awards and scholarship.

Thank you Alisha for all you do for GMSD!!!

04/01/2026

A huge thank you to the Germantown Education Foundation for their generous grant supporting the creation of our new Mobile Stang Studio Store!

Because of their investment, Houston High School students will have an exciting opportunity next year to sell HHS merchandise through this student-led mobile store. This project will provide hands-on, real-world learning experiences while building school spirit in our community.

We truly appreciate the Foundation’s continued commitment to the students of Houston High School and their dedication to helping innovative ideas come to life. Thank you for supporting our Mustangs!

04/01/2026

No April Fools’ joke here — this is the real deal. On Monday, March 30, educators, partners and supporters gathered at Bobby Lanier Farm Park to celebrate this year’s grant recipients. Thanks to GEF, teachers across six GMSD schools will bring new ideas to life, from a book vending machine at Riverdale to a student-run mobile store at Houston High.

In total, $72,144.11 was awarded to projects that inspire creativity, hands-on learning and student engagement.

“These grants empower teachers to bring their ideas to life in meaningful ways,” said GEF Executive Director Joni Hester. “Investing in educators is investing in student success.”

📸 Swipe to see highlights from the evening, including projects, thoughtful touches from our schools and smiles all around!

03/31/2026

The HHS Horticulture Science program proudly grew and potted the centerpiece flowers for tonight’s Germantown Education Foundation Grant Reception! 🌱🌸
Through hands-on learning, HHS students gain real-world experience in Agriscience, Plant Science, and Landscaping, preparing them with valuable skills for future careers.

We’re proud to see their hard work on display at such a special event!

03/30/2026

🍋 Big ideas start with a small stand 🍋

Mark your calendar for Germantown Lemonade Stand Day on Saturday, June 13. Registration opens soon, and we can’t wait to see the creativity our young entrepreneurs bring this year.

Participants will spend the day running their own lemonade stands, building skills, supporting their community and giving back. Each stand will donate a portion of proceeds to the Germantown Education Foundation, helping fund innovative programs for local students, along with a charity of their choice.

After a day of squeezing for a cause, the community will come together at the Big Squeeze Food Truck Festival at The Grove at GPAC for food, music and a celebration of all that was accomplished.

Start dreaming up your stand and get ready to make an impact.

03/25/2026

The Atlantic Institute selected the Germantown Education Foundation as a recipient of the 2026 Public Service Award.
This recognition reflects our organization’s outstanding dedication to public service, educational advancement, and meaningful community impact. The Foundation’s continued commitment to supporting students, educators, and families along with your highly visible, hands-on engagement across the Germantown community exemplifies the spirit and purpose of this award, including your active community involvement and seasonal giving initiatives, which have made a lasting difference for many families.
GEF Board members Manjit Kaur and Gary Yenser accepted the award.

03/12/2026

🏃🏼‍♀️SAVE THE DATE🏃

Spring break may be just around the corner but the GEF Color Run will be here before you know it!