The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence recently staged its Intergenerational Story Slam, where participants shared stories they wrote at a performance at Van Vleck House & Gardens. The April 23 event for friends and family was the culmination of a semester-long project led by Montclair High School English teacher Jessica Buel, in collaboration with Dory Hack, program director at MFEE, and Michelle DeWitt, senior citizen coordinator at Lifelong Montclair. Now in its fo

"Rise Up" is a partnership between MFEE, Montclair State University, and Drew University. When you are new somewhere–to a school, a town, or even a country–finding your place and using your voice can be daunting, especially for young people who are learning a new language. But thanks to “Rise Up, Overcoming Challenges and Finding Inner Strength,” a group of Latino middle and high school students, Kichwa Indigenous members, and Montclair State University Students will share

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

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,