Cheers to 10 Years! Celebrating a Decade of Impact in Public Schools
- Erin Madigan White
- 11 hours ago
- 4 min read
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, responded to systemic challenges, broadened grant-making, and deepened community ties. What’s been consistent is a commitment to fueling high-quality, integrated public schools.
Rodriquez-Vars credits her staff, Board, volunteers, teachers, principals, and of course, the Montclair community for MFEE’s continued success.
“I am super proud of how MFEE has evolved and continued to thrive when the landscape for public education, both locally and nationally, has changed so much,” she said. “It has taken courage, creativity, and community to adapt and keep growing.”
To celebrate 10 years, here are 10 ways MFEE has positively impacted Montclair schools:
10: BOOSTING INNOVATION: MFEE awards $60,000 in grants to Montclair teachers every year. These grants purchase innovative tools and fund resources and experience that boost learning. Rodriquez-Vars is proud of funding teachers’ big ideas – from tiny art to technology tools, creative curriculums to impactful programs. “The heart and soul of our grants program is empowering teachers and valuing their professionalism and expertise,” she said.
9: HELPING TEACHERS LEVEL-UP: MFEE created Teacher Learning Communities (TLCs) to boost professional development. The first TLC convened 16 teachers from across the district and focused on best practices in teaching English-language learners, a growing need. “We wanted to support teachers in a sustained way, not just a one-off meeting or workshop,” Rodriquez-Vars said. MFEE also awards professional development grants to teachers.
8: PROMOTING WELLNESS THROUGH ART: Inspired to find ways to reach the rising number of students struggling with anxiety and depression, Rodriquez-Vars saw an opportunity to use the arts to boost social-emotional wellness. Through “Arts Open Hearts,” MFEE programs foster connection, confidence, and give students outlets for self-expression. It's brought ballroom dance, poetry, creative writing, and more into schools.
7: CELEBRATING INSPIRED TEACHERS: Josh and Judy Weston established the Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching in 1991 to celebrate Montclair Public School teachers. For the past three years, MFEE has administered the awards, which honor Judy’s memory. “It feels like magic when you watch a really good teacher do what they do,” Rodriquez-Vars said. “It’s like watching a talented dancer or talented musician. Inspired teaching is an art.”
6: STRIVING FOR EQUITY: As part of a community with integrated magnet schools and a vibrant history of activism, MFEE seeks to create equity and access for all students. In 2020, MFEE hosted Learning Circles on Race. More than 900 people participated in the program through events, training, and conversations. MFEE also awarded $50,000 in equity grants to schools to build racial literacy, implement social justice curriculum, and more.
5: FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY: MFEE is proud to administer donor-supported funds to improve inclusion and belonging. MFEE raises money through the Jackson Lightfoot Whitsett Memorial Fund (JLWMF) to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and has provided allyship training for parents and teachers. And through the John J. Joyce American Sign Language Fund, MFEE seeks opportunities to teach ASL to Montclair children.
4: SUPPORTING EACH OTHER: During the Covid-19 pandemic, Rodriquez-Vars realized parents and students needed support during remote learning. So, MFEE launched “Healing Huddles,” small group meet-ups for parents, and “PEEPs,” a peer tutoring program that matched high school students with middle schoolers to help with academics and social connection. MFEE later hosted mini-conferences for parents of young learners (You’ve Got This!) and teens (Life After High School) to help navigate the school years, and beyond.
3: PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES: After meeting a non-English-speaking student who'd enrolled in MFEE's peer tutoring program, Rodriquez-Vars recognized the growing needs of that community. She launched Navegadores Escolares to help families and students navigate our schools. The program matches volunteers with families and serves more than 150 students, helping remove barriers to access and offering holistic support.
2: IMPROVING ACADEMIC PROGRESS: MFEE provides academic and social support through bilingual after-school tutoring, supporting 60 kids ages Kindergarten through 12th grade. MFEE also runs a teen programs, a math intensive, and summer enrichment camps. “What truly made this summer special were connections. We watched children laugh, learn, and lean into new friendships—using language to connect and grow,” Rodriquez-Vars said.
1: BUILDING COMMUNITY: MFEE has a serious mission, but Rodriquez-Vars also focuses on fun. From “The Amazing FundRacer,” a wacky race through town, to MFEE’s newest event, a twist on “Family Feud,” she brings creativity, inclusivity, and joy to her efforts to raise money and connect people. And of course, she’s continued “Toast to the Teachers,” a Montclair tradition for 30 years. These family-hosted parties raise funds for MFEE grants.
There’ve been twists and turns in 10 years, and the District is facing difficult budget challenges, but Rodriquez-Vars remains optimistic.
“I didn’t know how much passion I have for public education and its possibilities. It is absolutely core to democracy and opportunity,” she said. “I 100 percent believe education transforms people’s lives. This job gives me a way to help do that for kids in this community.”
Read more about Masiel's contributions in this piece in the Montclair Local.