MFEE Executive Director Masiel Rodriquez-Vars was honored to be the first guest on the 'Glenfield Pod!' When Glenfield Middle School students were seeking their first guest for their very first episode of the "Glenfield Pod,” they turned to Masiel Rodriquez-Vars, executive director of the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence. That’s because their school’s new podcasting studio was made possible by an MFEE IdeaLab grant, which this year focus on the theme “civics in our s

MFEE funded a lending library featuring neurodiverse characters. April is Neurodiversity Celebration Month, but Bradford Elementary School’s SATp committee and special education teacher Laura Giasone wanted to enhance the conversations about belonging and acceptance happening at school all year long. Thanks to a grant from the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence, Bradford staff now have access to a new Neurodiversity Lending Library. It’s stocked with books that prov

Hillside's native plants garden is made possible by an MFEE grant. (Photo courtesy Sally Solo) The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence is proud to support Hillside Elementary School's new native plants garden! Science teacher Susan Bartol was awarded funds to create the garden as part of this year's educator grants program. With the help of grant co-writer and Master Gardener Sally Solo , Hillside has repurposed an unused grassy area on Hillside Avenue for the garden

Sixteen Montclair Public School teachers and one counselor will each be awarded $2,000 MFEE Board Member LeAnne Korbel presents the 2025 Inspired Counseling Award to MHS counselor Chanda D. Fields. Photo: Erik Ekroth for MFEE. The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence is calling for nominations for the 2026 Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching! Now administered by MFEE, the awards were established by Josh and Judy Weston in 1991 to acknowledge and celebrate Montcla

An innovative project that unites architecture, printmaking, and civics is among the first educator grants awarded by the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence for the 2025-26 school year. The interdisciplinary project, dreamed up by Buzz Aldrin Middle School art teacher Deborah Guzmán Meyer, in collaboration with social studies teacher Jessica Eden, will help more than 120 middle school students engage deeply with the Bill of Rights and the Amendments to the U.S. Constit

Hillside elementary school science teacher Susan Bartol first saw “ Observe r” at a national convention for science educators in Philadelphia last year. The film focuses on the power of observation, how scientists and artists look differently at the world, and how paying attention can spark discovery and reframe knowledge and understanding. “To be an observer, you must find your portal into the wonders of the world. There is a universe everywhere you turn,” the film's trail

The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence is thrilled to announce that Sarah Hudson-Plush is joining MFEE this January as Deputy Director, overseeing day-to-day operations and working closely with the Executive Director to drive strategic growth. Having served on the MFEE Board of Trustees for seven years, Hudson-Plush is deeply familiar with MFEE’s work to nurture teachers and promote equity and classroom innovation across the Montclair Public Schools. She has served a

MHS 10th grade English students with new books provided by an MFEE grant. When Katelynn Costello and Elizabeth Voltman , teachers at Montclair High School, wanted to incorporate more Indigenous women’s voices into their classroom, they turned to the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence for support. MFEE awarded them an Educational Excellence grant – the first of the 2025-26 cycle – to purchase new books for the English 10 curriculum. The teachers told MFEE they hope t

This is the latest in our series spotlighting the winners of the 2025 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 High School counselor Chanda D. Fields believes in her students. She believes in their ability to persevere. She believes in their potential to succeed. And, most importantly, she never gives up on them, even in the face of incredibly

Masiel Rodriquez-Vars celebrates 10 years of leadership with MFEE staff. October marks an important milestone for the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence: Masiel Rodriquez-Vars is celebrating 10 years as executive director! Founded almost 35 years ago as a non-profit dedicated to supporting public schools in Montclair, MFEE has grown significantly in the past decade. Under Rodriquez-Vars’ leadership, the organization has piloted programming for students and teachers,

+ This is the latest in our series spotlighting the winners of the 2025 Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching. Follow along each week...

. This is the latest in our series spotlighting the winners of the 2025 Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching. Follow along each week...