Stillwater Public Education Foundation

10/05/2026

Grant season for the new school year is upon us, so let's look back at some of the impactful teacher resources SPEF was able to provide last year to Stillwater Public Schools

“Building Early Literacy Through Play-Based, Hands-On Learning,” was awarded to Mendy Burris and Meggon Wilson, PreK teachers at Skyline Elementary.

With SPEF funding, students gained access to interactive books and hands-on literacy manipulatives that transformed read-alouds and literacy centers into active learning experiences. Students could touch, move, match, retell and act out stories while building vocabulary, oral language, comprehension, sequencing and early writing skills.

The hands-on approach increased engagement, encouraged collaboration and independence, and helped students develop confidence and a genuine love of books. Even better, the durable, reusable materials will continue benefiting new groups of Pre-K students for years to come, strengthening early literacy skills and helping prepare students for kindergarten and future academic success.

This is the kind of lasting classroom impact made possible by SPEF donors and Corporate Partners.

10/01/2026

From the Stillwater classroom to the world stage!

SPEF recently supported SPS's robotics program with professional field risers that transformed the practice space into a competition-ready environment. This seemingly simple upgrade gave students the opportunity to practice with the same perspective, spatial awareness, and engineering challenges they would face at major competitions.

And the impact was incredible. At the VEX World Championship, Stillwater’s Team Bamboozled finished 13th in the world in Skills and advanced to the Round of 16, while Team Brainstorm also advanced to the Round of 16.

Beyond the competition results, students are building real-world skills in mechanical design, programming, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and collaboration.

This is what SPEF grants are all about: giving local educators the resources they need to create meaningful opportunities for Stillwater students — opportunities that can take them from our classrooms and "elevate" them all the way to the world stage. When teachers and students have the proper tools and resources, they can compete at the highest level.

09/30/2026

SPEF Trustees love the opportunity to treat our hard-working teachers with a tasty meal. So fun to visit Westwood Elementary School this morning. Thank you, Duncan Catering Co. and Chick-fil-A Stillwater for partnering with us to provide this this delectable breakfast. Keep up the good work, Westwood Eagles!

09/28/2026

**Nothing Bundt love for this custodial staff!**

While everyone was admiring the brand-new Stillwater High School, this incredible crew was behind the scenes making sure it was ready to welcome students — and then turning around to help SPEF pull off our annual Celebration of Education as part of the grand opening festivities!

They cleaned, prepped, and jumped in wherever they were needed…and somehow kept everything looking picture-perfect.

You could say they really “cleaned up” when it came to making the celebration a success!

Thank you for all you do for Stillwater Public Schools, our students and our community. We appreciate you a Bundt!

09/25/2026

What happens when students stop sitting quietly and start thinking, talking and solving math together?

Through Annie Ortiz’s “Building Thinking Classrooms with White Boards” SPEF grant, K-5th grade students are using white boards and collaborative math tasks to strengthen problem-solving, communication and reasoning skills.

Students work in randomly assigned groups, allowing them to learn from classmates they might not typically work with. Teachers have watched students gain confidence, appreciate one another’s strengths and develop more positive attitudes toward math. One second grader even discovered a new way to solve 90–49 and excitedly explained his strategy to his group.

The impact is reaching beyond math, too. Teachers are finding ways to use the white boards for writing and other collaborative learning activities, while the Building Thinking Classrooms approach is spreading to other educators and schools.

The white boards are reusable resources that will continue serving students year after year. As Ms. Ortiz shared, “Children collaborating to think deeply is exciting!”

We are grateful to support educators who are creating classrooms where students don’t just learn math—they learn how to think together.
SPEF Teacher Grants likes this one are now open! Any SPS employee can apply if they have an innovative idea that supports academics. You can support these grants by donating here: https://spef.stillwaterschools.com/donate/

09/25/2026

SPEF recently funded “Accessible Learning for All,” a teacher grant focused on creating greater access and inclusion for students who are visually impaired.

Through this grant, accessible games, tools and interactive activities are being used in general education classrooms, small groups and one-on-one settings. Students can use and share the materials with their classmates, creating opportunities for everyone to participate together.

These activities are doing more than making learning accessible. They are helping students build confidence, collaborate, socialize and get creative through play. For visually impaired students, the materials provide greater independence and the opportunity to be included in classroom activities alongside their peers.

The teacher shared that these games and activities are helping to “bridge the gaps between students and put all students on the same playing field.” At SPEF, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to learn and connect. We are grateful to support educators who find innovative ways to make that possible for all students.

09/18/2026

We love cheering on and recognizing the amazing teachers who make a difference every day in Stillwater classrooms. Take a couple of minutes to nominate an incredible SPS educator for the OERB - The people of Oklahoma Oil & Natural Gas Top Teacher award!

🍎 Calling all amazing teachers! Applications for our 2026–2027 Top Teacher awards are officially OPEN! 🎉

Know a teacher who goes above and beyond? Nominate them for a chance to receive $2,500!

📚 Application closes September 30.

👉 https://bit.ly/3T9NPVV

09/17/2026

SPEF is proud to be a part of Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and to celebrate the incredible educators who make a difference in the lives of Oklahoma students every day!

Each year, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence accepts nominations for outstanding educators from across the state for the Medal of Excellence Award.

Teachers can nominate fellow educators, and parents and community members can nominate the teachers and school staff they see working in our classrooms every day—those who go above and beyond to ensure Stillwater students are receiving the very best education.

Know an outstanding Stillwater educator who deserves to be recognized? Nominate them for the Medal of Excellence!

Medal for Excellence nominations are now open! Help us give Oklahoma's outstanding public school educators the recognition they deserve by making a nomination today.

The categories are:
⭐ Elementary Teaching
⭐ Secondary Teaching
⭐ Elementary/Secondary Administration
⭐ Regional University/Community College Teaching
⭐ Research University Teaching

Submit your nomination: https://bit.ly/4wXAxtD

09/17/2026

Grant Spotlight: Making Math More Collaborative

Thanks to a SPEF Teacher Grant, 9th Grade teachers have added vertical whiteboards to their classrooms serving Algebra 1 and Advanced Geometry students!

These boards are giving students a new way to tackle complex math concepts—working together, sharing ideas, communicating their reasoning, and actively solving problems instead of working silently and in isolation.

The result? Increased student engagement and a classroom culture where teamwork, communication, and shared responsibility are part of the learning experience every day.

Even better, this grant is an investment that will continue benefiting students for years to come. The teachers plan to keep developing collaborative tasks that make math more interactive, accessible, and enjoyable for every student.

When students can work together, think together, and learn together, great things happen!

09/16/2026

Grant Spotlight: Building a Love of Reading at Stillwater Middle School!

Thanks to a SPEF Teacher Grant, Jennifer Daffern at Stillwater Middle School is helping students discover the joy of choosing and reading a book that interests them!

Jennifer’s students now have access to a dedicated collection of specialized, physical books that they can hold, explore, discuss, and return to again and again. And the excitement is already evident! Students are not only getting more hands-on reading practice—they’re talking with Jennifer and one another about the books they’re reading and discovering new interests along the way.

We love seeing how a simple collection of books can open the door to greater engagement, confidence, and a lifelong enjoyment of reading.

Thank you, Jennifer, for creating more opportunities for your students to read—and thank you to our SPEF supporters who make grants like this possible! Together, we’re putting more books into the hands of Stillwater students.

**SPEF Grant Applications are now open. Any SPS employee is eligible to apply before the September 30, 2026 deadline.