MFEE

MFEE generates funding and community support to enhance the educational experience for all of Montclair’s public school students.

Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE), Montclair’s local education fund, is an independent non-profit that raises private dollars to engage and empower students, teachers and supporters of public education.

07/09/2026

MFEE is seeking a part-time coordinator for a new after-school math program. Visit MFEE.org/opportunities for details! Apply by July 31.

07/08/2026

“Shannon Becker-Fyfe is one of those teachers who just gets it. She sees your student as they are, and meets them there.” That’s how a parent described this Montclair High School special education teacher in a 2026 Weston Award nomination letter. That parent went on to share that this school year was a rough transition for their son, but Ms. Becker-Fyfe worked hard to make it as smooth as possible.

“She never gave up on him,” the parent wrote. “She adapts, communicates and goes out of her way to make it work for him. In special ed self-contained classes, sometimes adults see you only by what you CAN’T do. Ms. Becker-Fyfe never looks at kids that way. She sees them as capable and encourages them. She differentiates instruction and finds what works for our kids.”

It was that intentional focus on student dignity and capability – rather than deficits – that really stood out to the selection committee. Read more: https://www.mfee.org/post/weston-awards-shannon-becker-fyfe

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This is the latest in our series spotlighting the 2026 winners of the Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching. Follow along each week to learn more about the impact these educators are making in the Montclair Public Schools.

07/07/2026

MFEE is kicking off its vibrant summer programming this week, welcoming 30 elementary school students eager to dive into a bicultural and bilingual experience.

This is the fourth year of Oruguitas de Verano (Summer Caterpillars), which is held at MFEE’s learning center and runs through July 24. Each day is packed with exciting activities and instruction in both English and Spanish. The camp serves multilingual learners in Montclair Public Schools, and also includes children interested in a bilingual/bicultural experience.

07/02/2026

Registration is open for bilingual summer camp. Details at the link in our bio! https://form.jotform.com/251605664380154

07/01/2026

✨ Cary Bangs has an amazing ability to bring learning to life for her second grade students at Bradford Elementary School.

For example, around Thanksgiving, she had her students make shopping lists with prices, providing a practical example of how her math lessons could be used in the real world. One parent who nominated her for this award said: “My daughter comes home with dinner bills, which she made with orders and costs. Her math skills have improved dramatically. She actually enjoys math now!”

“Second grade is such an important time to cement the idea that learning is fun and that school is a positive place to be…. My son has grown academically, as well as in his confidence as a scholar under her care,” a parent said.

Congrats to this inspiring teacher! Read more at MFEE.org/blog (link in our bio).

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This is the latest in our series spotlighting the 2026 winners of the Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching. Follow along each week to learn more about the impact these educators are making in the Montclair Public Schools.

Montclair Public Schools - NJ

06/30/2026

Bradford physical education teacher Joseph Acuña is known for his creative classroom activities. This year, with an assist from an MFEE grant, he introduced his students to “Cosmic Bowling,” which teaches skills of the game using various blacklight/glow night lighting and equipment.

“When it comes to teaching, I believe true learning is tied with great experiences that promote content retention through associations with positive experiences,” he said.

Looks pretty memorable to us!

Read more: https://www.mfee.org/post/from-cheers-to-classrooms-10-grants-made-possible-by-teacher-toasts

Donate: https://givebutter.com/mfees-toast-to-the-teachers-2026/praiseloudlygiveproudly

06/29/2026

MHS students enrolled in Anatomy & Physiology Honors benefitted from a high-impact learning experience funded by MFEE that connected classroom content to real-world pathways. The dissection unit helped students understand organ systems, structure–function relationships, and how body systems work together. In her proposal, teacher Rania Hassan outlined how the grant would give students “a realistic look at anatomy study and build foundational skills used in medicine, nursing, physical therapy,” and more.

Read more: https://www.mfee.org/post/from-cheers-to-classrooms-10-grants-made-possible-by-teacher-toasts

Donate: https://givebutter.com/mfees-toast-to-the-teachers-2026/praiseloudlygiveproudly

(Links in our bio)

Montclair Public Schools - NJ

06/28/2026

What a wonderful day on the trail! 🌿🥾 This gratitude hike celebrated Hillside science teacher Susan Bartol, an educator who makes every step of learning meaningful.

If you'd still like to support our "Toast to the Teachers" events, it's not too late. Proceeds go directly back into Montclair classrooms in the form of educator grants. Visit the link in our bio to give: https://www.mfee.org/toasttotheteachers

06/27/2026

🥂 Through June 28: Visit our “Toast to the Teachers” page to attend or host a party, or choose Praise Loudly, Give Proudly to recognize a favorite educator with a donation. Every gift helps sustain MFEE’s educator grants and fuels creativity in Montclair schools.

https://www.mfee.org/toasttotheteachers

Address

100 Chestnut Street
Montclair, NJ
07042

Website

http://www.mfee.org/

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