Educator Grants now open. Apply Now.

Hayward, CA

Expanding Environmental Innovation, Inquiry, and Equity

Grant Amount

$13,500

Year Awarded

2025-2026

Project Coordinator

Lesley Feikert

Grant Type

Team

Local Association

Hayward Education Association

Focus Area

Garden and Outdoor Learning

About the Project

This project expands a play-based academic program for Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students into an outdoor classroom environment, transforming the schoolyard into a hands-on space for environmental inquiry, scientific exploration, and creative expression. At a Title I school serving a diverse and under-resourced student population, the initiative addresses equity by increasing access to safe outdoor learning through gardening, water play, artistic expression, and dramatic play. The outdoor classroom will enhance physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development, especially for English Language Learners, while building connections between students, families, and the broader community through workshops, family volunteerism, and community partnerships.

Meet the Project Coordinator

Lesley Feikert

Carolyn Barrientos, Johanna Normart, and Lesley Feikert (pictured left to right) are TK and Kindergarten teachers at Eden Gardens Elementary School in Hayward California. Johanna Normart is our school union representative. In the past 4 years we have focused on enriching our outdoor play playground to encompass activities that are play based and student directed. This grant will allow us to further expand our outdoor activities and expand our garden that serves as a learning lab.

See more brilliant projects from California teachers.

See All IFT Grantees
Scroll to Top