Fishers awards local teachers with nearly $100,000 for classroom innovation

Mayor Scott Fadness awards five new Educator Innovation Grants to support HSE teachers

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness surprised five teachers with more than $95,000 in funding as part of the city’s Educator Innovation Grant program. The program exists to empower educators within HSE Schools with the financial resources to bring innovation to the classroom and inspire students to rethink learning.

This new round of grants brings the funding total to nearly $350,000 since the program launched in 2024. To date, 22 educators across 12 schools have received funding for projects which include implementing virtual reality within the classroom, modernizing makerspaces for STEAM programming, professional development opportunities, and more.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and project requests have no funding cap.

The new round of grant recipients include:

• Jamie Follis (Hamilton Southeastern High School and Olio Road Productions): $16,200 to support an extension of the Olio Road Productions film program which would empower students to include short film production in their classes throughout the school year. These short films will include fictional, promotional, and documentary-style shorts with the potential for public viewing opportunities in collaboration with the city.
• Jeffrey Brunnemer (Fall Creek Junior High): $3,600 to help purchase Time Kettle translator earbuds for students in the ENL program. These earbuds provide real-time translation, allowing students to become more self-sufficient and productive in subjects like mathematics, where there are often gaps in support.
• John McCallister (Hamilton Southeastern High School): $39,100 to provide a welding simulation at the high school. With a limited space to practice traditional welding, this technology will allow students to earn up to two welding certificates while preparing them for a career in the trades.
• Jenifer Young (Hamilton Southeastern High School): $15,100 to provide additional resources to better connect ESL students with their classes. This will address the language and cultural gaps that many ESL students face, empowering them to learn English and acclimate to school in the U.S.
• Will Hurst (Cumberland Road Elementary): $22,980 to support the development of the school’s “Village of Cumberland” which is set to include a “Biz Town” experience for students. This project directly connects with the third-grade experience in HSE’s Journey of a Student.

Grants are awarded by a selection committee comprised of former educators from HSE Schools, community entrepreneurs, and HSE alumni. Committee members include Mike Fassold (retired junior high educator); Kaleigh Arndt (former elementary educator); Brad Jackson (retired junior high educator); Amy Murch (Conner Prairie teacher in residence); and Jordin Alexander (HSE alum and City of Fishers Chief of Staff).