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Auberry, CA

Amplify the Arts

Grant Amount

$19,045

Year Awarded

2025-2026

Project Coordinator

Derek Mangan

Grant Type

Team

Local Association

Teachers Association of Paradise

Focus Area

Arts, Media, and Culture

About the Project

This project will support an annual, student-centered puppet show at Pine Ridge Elementary to promote engagement, creativity, and collaboration. Students take on key roles in scriptwriting, voice acting, puppet-making, and stage production, fostering agency, critical thinking, and teamwork. Designed to be inclusive, the project especially supports students with disabilities and those who struggle with traditional instruction by providing accessible performance opportunities. It also builds school-wide and community relationships by involving teachers, families, and local organizations in the creative process. The performances will highlight diverse regional cultures, promote equity, and strengthen student voice and leadership through a safe, supportive arts-based learning environment.

Meet the Project Coordinator

Derek Mangan

Derek Mangan is a 5th-grade teacher at Pine Ridge Elementary School in Paradise, California. He serves on the MTSS, LCAP Advisory, and TAP bargaining teams. Motivated by a passion for fostering stronger school-community relationships, Derek’s project aims to enhance creativity, collaboration, and engagement in an arts-based learning environment.

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