MFEE Opens Educator Grants, Invites Teachers to Share Their Passions

The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) is excited to open its call for Montclair Public Schools teachers to apply for educator grants for the 2026-27 school year! 

Each year, MFEE awards between $50,000 - $75,000 in grants to educators in four categories: 

• Educational Excellence Grants,

• Greenwald Professional Development Grants, 

• Social-Emotional Learning Grants, and 

• IdeaLab Grants.

This year, IdeaLab Grants focus on a new theme: Teach Your Passion. The theme invites educators to think beyond traditional curriculum, bring their own interests and expertise into the classroom, and create learning experiences that are engaging, meaningful, and inspiring for students.

Teachers are encouraged to think about the interests, skills, and areas of expertise that excite them and explore how they might share those passions  with their students through a unique lesson, workshop, pop-up, or project series. 

So teachers, what’s the subject, skill, hobby, or expertise that lights you up—and that you’d love to share with your students?

Geocaching in the outdoors - Crocheting intricate designs - Playing chess - Birdwatching in local parks - Making Zines - Taking creative photographs - Writing science fiction - Or…? 

“Our teachers bring so much knowledge, creativity, and passion to their work, and we want to give them an opportunity to share what excites them most with their students,” said Sarah Hudson-Plush, a deputy director of MFEE. “When teachers are excited about what they’re teaching, that excitement can be contagious, and students benefit from the opportunity to explore something new alongside them.”

MFEE debuted the IdeaLab grants last year with a theme of Civics in Our Schools. The initiative sparked several innovative ideas, such as an interdisciplinary project, dreamed up by Buzz Aldrin Middle School art teacher Deborah Guzmán Meyer, in collaboration with social studies teacher Jessica Eden. It helped more than 120 middle school students engage deeply with the Bill of Rights and the Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. 

Last year, MFEE received applications from 159 educators across all 11 schools, and awarded grants for everything from a new podcast studio and a native plants garden to diverse classroom libraries and hands-on science tools. 

Applications are evaluated by a team of MFEE staff, MFEE Board members, and volunteer grant liaisons at each school. District principals, central office administrators, and PTA leaders also participate in discussions. 

Educators can apply now through Nov. 1. Grant recipients will be notified in December. Funding for educator grants is made possible through generous donations from our community and events such as MFEE’s annual “Toast to the Teachers.” 

“We want to help teachers inspire students through their own interests and creativity,” said MFEE Grants Coordinator Kathy Maloy. “When teachers share what they’re passionate about, they give students new ways to learn, explore and see the world.”

To learn more, visit MFEE.org/educator-grants. And to volunteer on our team of grant liaisons, please contact kathy@mfee.org.