In the News

For the past decade, Masiel Rodriquez-Vars has been at the helm of the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE), the nonprofit that has become a vital bridge between the township, its schools and the broader community. As Montclair faces new financial and leadership challenges, Rodriquez-Vars reflects on 10 years of guiding the foundation.

Montclair Public Schools teachers may apply for grants Aug. 28 – Oct. 31
The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) is piloting a new type of educator grant for the 2025-26 school year called IdeaLab.

Kids can’t learn if they’re hungry. That’s the reason the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) and the Montclair Public Schools (MPS) are teaming up to help students access healthy meals.

In June, the Montclair Fund for Women announced it has awarded $71,000 in annual grants to area nonprofit organizations providing services to women and girls. Board of Trustees President Tanya Poteat said, “We are proud to support the vibrant and necessary work of the following non-profit organizations providing services to women and girls in Montclair and West Essex.”

MONTCLAIR, NJ - The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) has announced the recipients of the 2025 Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching, honoring 17 outstanding educators across Montclair Public Schools. Selected from a record number of nominations submitted by parents, caregivers, and students, this year’s winners reflect the spirit of excellence, innovation, and compassion that defines Montclair’s educational community.

"The Judy Weston Awards shine a light on the kind of teaching that transforms lives."

Name a local nonprofit that hosts seriously fun parties to fuel excellence in public schools. Survey says: The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence! Join the fun at the MFEE “Family Feud,” a twist on the favorite game show – plus a great party – on Thursday, May 15.

MFEE announced more than 70 grants funded across the district in classroom innovation, social-emotional learning and professional development.

Mark your calendars for December 3- Giving Tuesday! This year, make a meaningful impact in our community by supporting a local nonprofit.

Giving Tuesday, which in 2024 falls on Dec 3, is a day dedicated to supporting nonprofit and community groups.

Montclair High School homecoming game was the first field show for the Mighty Mounties marching band in over five years.

Experience the unique flavors of Montclair with Sabor Montclair and support the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence.

Sixteen Montclair Public Schools teachers have been named winners of the 2024 Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching, selected from a pool of 300 total nominations.

There were 72 FundRACER teams, 70 volunteers, 30 sponsors, 916 donors and 1088 participants that helped raise $95,000.

More than 200 parents, caregivers, teens and members of the Montclair community gained insights and inspiration for tackling challenges of post-high school life at “Life After High School” mini-conference Saturday.

When Camila Chavarria-Delgado started the fifth grade four years ago, after recently immigrating from Nicaragua with her family, she spent her first day of school silent.

The 2023 Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching honored Montclair teachers Thursday, June 1, celebrating those who stand out as creative, talented, supportive, inspired and inspiring.

A group of 13 local education leaders will review nominations for the Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching.

MFEE is excited to announce the return of the Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching. This spring, sixteen teachers from throughout Montclair Public Schools will be selected to receive individual cash awards of $2,000, including one award designated specifically for a special education teacher, thanks to the generosity of the Weston family.

The annual grants are broken into three categories — educational excellence, professional development, and social and emotional learning. The projects include curating a library of culturally representative literature, creating a schoolwide compost program and engaging middle school students to paint a mural in the school bathroom with QR codes linking to mental health resources.