VREC Place-Based Learning Innovation Grants

The Vermont Rural Education Collaborative (VREC) is committed to supporting student-centered, placed-based learning that promotes civic engagement and democratic values.  VREC has a long standing practice of supporting place-based learning and innovation through our student-led mini grant program.  It is in this tradition that we now look to provide additional opportunities for teachers to develop and implement innovative practices related to place-based learning.

Thanks to the generous support of the Rowand Foundation New Teacher Fund, VREC will offer up to four (4) Educator-Led Place-Based Learning Innovation Grants to successful applicants from  prek-12 VREC member schools or SU/SDs.   Educators can use $2000 to explore and create something new, or expand upon prior learning design and activities.  $500 will be provided as an honorarium upon project completion and submission of a final grant summary and presentation (described further below).

  • Grants of up to $2500 will be awarded.  $2000 dedicated for the project and $500 of which is considered an honorarium.

  • Projects should involve supporting integration of place-based, community-based, and/or deeper learning into curriculum, instruction, and/or assessment  so that students gain a better understanding and greater appreciation of their place and role as a citizen within the various communities they belong to (family, school, town, state, etc.). Similar to our Student-Led Mini Grant process, this could be achieved through actual classroom projects that address a community need, but is not required.

    Proposals should include the following:

    1. A problem of practice or promising practice to be addressed within a local context and/or focus of action research/inquiry

    2. Professional learning goal 

    3. Student learning goal (e.g.,  learner-centered, inquiry-based, interdisciplinary)

    4. Evidence of community as classroom and/or Democracy in the classroom

    5. Timeline of project (for exploration & implementation)

    6. Any deliverables, products and/or summaries/presentation for sharing with the field

    Applications must include a short letter from their school principal acknowledging their support of the proposed project. 

  • For applications to be considered, all applicants must:

    • indicate the intent to apply by February 3 via 

    • participate in a brief “pitch” via Zoom to discuss their proposed project and receive feedback before final submission; and

    • submit applications by Friday, March 10, by 4:00 PM

    • VREC Place-Based Learning Innovation Grant Application

  • Pre-K through grade 12 educators within VREC schools or SU/SD central offices are eligible to apply.  Groups of up to three are eligible to apply for a grant at the same level of funding.

  • We look forward to supporting participants throughout the year and sharing their stories and final outcomes across Vermont. All participants will be expected to:  

    1. Attend and present at the annual Rowland Foundation Conference in the Fall of 2025 to share their project design and initial activities.  

      1. 5-person workshop where recipients present their proposals and plans

      2. Format: Boom Session - 8 min. Micro-presentation with facilitation from VREC

    2. Participate in a mid-year cohort “check-in” held virtually.

    3. Complete projects by June 15, 2026 and provide a “presentation of learning” to their school community (ie. School Board, School Celebration of Learning, School or SU/SD Inservice)  

    4. Participants will provide a one-page project summary/report by July 1, 2026

  • Awardees will receive $2000 by July 15, 2025 to be used to conduct their project.  A $500 honorarium will be provided at the completion of all grant expectations in July 2026

  • Applicants are asked to propose a Place-Based Education project that will be completed by June 15, 2026.

VREC Place-Based Learning Innovation Grant Recipients

Denise Wood, Canaan Memorial High School

Teacher Bio:

I have taught at Canaan Memorial High School for the past six years. During my tenure, I transformed the traditional business curriculum into the Business Administration & Technology (BAT) CTE Program. This innovative program allows students to earn up to 21 college credits through dual-enrollment courses and gain hands-on, real-world experience through activities such as managing the school store. I am a passionate advocate for technology integration in education, I am a Google Certified Trainer and hold both Level 1 and Level 2 Google Certified Educator credentials. I am honored to recently be recognized as the Vermont Future Business Leaders of America Advisor of the Year.

Project Overview:

Canaan Schools is excited to launch a place-based learning project that will bring podcasting and digital media production into the classroom. This initiative involves the creation of a fully functional recording studio within the business classroom. The studio will provide students with the tools and technology to produce high-quality podcasts, which will be shared through an online radio station. Podcasting and online radio provide an accessible way for students to engage with the world beyond their rural setting while also highlighting the voices and experiences of their own community. This innovative project will give middle and high school students the opportunity to explore storytelling, journalism, and audio production while engaging deeply with their local community.

Emily Robart, Waterford Elementary School

Teacher Bio:

This is my fourth year teaching 2nd grade at Waterford Elementary School. Previously, I was directed and taught at local Montessori schools. I am passionate about hands-on learning opportunities and outdoor learning experiences. I enjoy spending time with my students outside through all the seasons. I live in Guildhall VT with my husband, our 3 children and 5 dogs! We enjoy many outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, biking, fishing and skiing/snowboarding.

Project Overview:

We will design and build an outdoor classroom space where students can take their learning to a prepared outdoor environment that supports their learning goals, along with their social and emotional development. We see the space as an opportunity for place based science and math explorations, a nature-inspired writing area, an area to create nature inspired arts and crafts and an outdoor play space that allows for children to use their imaginations, work together, practice problem solving, conflict resolution skills and have fun.

Liam Gannon, Newport City Elementary School

Teacher Bio:

I teach 6th-grade Science and Social Studies at Newport City Elementary School, where I've been for five years. Before that, I worked at Laraway School in Johnson, VT, and spent five years as an environmental consultant studying underground coal fires and fugitive methane seepages across the Rocky Mountain West, India, and Australia. My wife and I live in Troy with our one-year-old son, Harry, and our dog, Spudnik. Like many Vermonters, we love spending time outdoors—especially under our incredible dark skies.

Project Overview:

6th graders at NCES will design and build telescopes using hand tools, 3D printers, laser cutters, and small telescope components. These telescopes will be available for community use, both at home and at designated dark sky sites chosen by students in collaboration with community partners. Through these partnerships, students will advocate for reducing light pollution and educate telescope users on effective stargazing techniques. With such amazing viewing opportunities in the NEK, this project will inspire students to engage with astronomy and share the wonders of the night sky with the community.

Bobby Walls-Thumma & Sarah Pickering, North Country Union High School

Teacher Bio – Bobby:

I teach Honors Government and Economics at North Country Union High School in Newport. I have served as an educator for 16 years, and prior to that, I proudly served my country as an intelligence analyst in the post-9/11 era. I hold B.A. in political science and international relations, an M.A. in history, and am currently nearing completion of a second master's degree in national security studies. When I'm not teaching or learning about politics, I am running North Country's Model United Nations team and serving as the varsity snowboarding coach for the state champion North Country Falcons. In my spare time I enjoy weightlifting, hiking, and spending time outdoors with my wife, 3 golden retrievers, and the myriad of farm animals that we have on our little slice of paradise in Coventry, Vermont.

Teacher Bio – Sarah:

I am the Director of Learning Design at North Country Union High School. In my current role I focus on supporting teachers with all aspects of teaching and learning as it relates to student achievement, social-emotional well-being, and professional growth. I am passionate about empowering our learning community to elevate their voices, lead by example, and advocate for self, others, and systems. Since moving to the NEK from Southern Vermont last summer, I have enjoyed renovating our new home, exploring the outdoors, and embracing a sustainable lifestyle.

Project Overview:

Falcons for Changes is an innovative, teacher-facilitated, student-led civic action project integrated into the Government & Economics course at North Country Union High School in Newport, Vermont. This project aims to engage high school students in addressing and solving real community issues within the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. By combining academic learning with hands-on civic engagement, the project seeks to deepen students' understanding of government functions, promote active citizenship, and catalyze meaningful community change. By uniting people under shared goals and fostering collaboration across sectors, our civic action projects help to create thriving, equitable, and resilient communities.