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

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

The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence has served the Montclair Public Schools community for 35 years, fueling innovation and equity across our District. National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 19 - 25) is the perfect opportunity to thank the community that serves us. Year-over-year hundreds of students, teachers, administrators, parents, retirees, business leaders, artists, and supporters of public education volunteer with MFEE. In 2025, it was 400 volunteers! So

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,