Excellence in Education Grants for
McHenry County Teachers
Do you need a way to fund unique activities for your students? The McHenry County Retired Teachers Association is working toward the future by offering grant money to PreK-12 public school educators in McHenry County.
How the Program Works
Excellence in Education grants will provide additional funds, enabling students to participate in special projects. These enduring projects should impact students year after year. Please download an application at www.mcrhernryrta.org and submit between August 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026. Grants will be announced in January 2026. Each grant is limited to $750.
What Qualifies for an Excellence in Education Grant
Suggested materials include, but are not limited to:
- Trade Books to support specific projects or related curriculum
- High interest books to support student reading
- Manipulatives and interactive materials to support STEM
- Reference books
- Learning games
- Digital cameras
- Software
How to Apply
Interested teachers may apply beginning in August 2026. Please visit the McHenry County Retired Teachers Association website at www.mchenryrta.org to download the application. Completed applications should be sent to:
Peggy Hart
951 Victoria Drive
Woodstock, IL 60098
[email protected]
All applications must be received electronically or postmarked between August 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026. Awards will be announced in January 2027.
2025-26 Grant Recipients
The McHenry County Retired Teachers Association is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026-26 Excellence in Education Awards. These monetary awards provide funds to support classroom projects that further enhance the educational goals of the students.
The winning projects:
Sandra Bigos, 6-8 teacher at Lundahl Middle School in Crystal Lake, will receive funds to purchase Sensory Pathway Decals. These decals are placed along designated hallways to prompt students to complete short, structured movements patterns. This program will be used with all students, but will be especially helpful to the two classrooms of autistic students,
Keri Nolen, first grade teacher at Locust Elementary School in Marengo will be able to buy books for the grade one classroom libraries that will support their reading program and provide greater comprehension instruction and an intensive phonics program.
Jessica Pierce, 6th grade science teacher at Lundahl Middle School in Crystal Lake will receive money to buy STEM kits of varying levels to support hands-on learning and enrich thinking.
Kate Uhlarik, preK-2 teacher at the Primary Center in Ringwood, will receive funds to purchase additional equipment for the motor room, which is used by the occupational therapy students, as well as the entire student body as needed.
Lisa Wondriska, primary teacher at Mackeben Elementary School in Algonquin will be able to purchase the RAZ curriculum. This is an online platform that enhances reading and comprehension.
Tim Yoder, teacher at Harrison School in Wonder Lake, will augment classroom libraries with authentic Spanish language books (not translations of books printed in English). Tim is our first two-time winner---he won in 2024 and purchased English language books for the classroom libraries.
The McHenry County Retired Teachers Association is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026-26 Excellence in Education Awards. These monetary awards provide funds to support classroom projects that further enhance the educational goals of the students.
The winning projects:
Sandra Bigos, 6-8 teacher at Lundahl Middle School in Crystal Lake, will receive funds to purchase Sensory Pathway Decals. These decals are placed along designated hallways to prompt students to complete short, structured movements patterns. This program will be used with all students, but will be especially helpful to the two classrooms of autistic students,
Keri Nolen, first grade teacher at Locust Elementary School in Marengo will be able to buy books for the grade one classroom libraries that will support their reading program and provide greater comprehension instruction and an intensive phonics program.
Jessica Pierce, 6th grade science teacher at Lundahl Middle School in Crystal Lake will receive money to buy STEM kits of varying levels to support hands-on learning and enrich thinking.
Kate Uhlarik, preK-2 teacher at the Primary Center in Ringwood, will receive funds to purchase additional equipment for the motor room, which is used by the occupational therapy students, as well as the entire student body as needed.
Lisa Wondriska, primary teacher at Mackeben Elementary School in Algonquin will be able to purchase the RAZ curriculum. This is an online platform that enhances reading and comprehension.
Tim Yoder, teacher at Harrison School in Wonder Lake, will augment classroom libraries with authentic Spanish language books (not translations of books printed in English). Tim is our first two-time winner---he won in 2024 and purchased English language books for the classroom libraries.
PAST GRANT WINNERS ARE LISTED UNDER HISTORY TAB. TAKE A LOOK!