With support from WVU Health Sciences, WVPEC and Benedum Foundation announce statewide Teacher Innovation Grant recipients

The West Virginia Public Education Collaborative, housed at West Virginia University, and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation will continue their efforts to support passionate teachers across the Mountain State who create innovative learning experiences for their students.

Through competitive mini-grants, the West Virginia Teacher Innovation program will support some of the state's most creative classroom teachers by providing up to $4,000 to fund their multidisciplinary learning projects.

After receiving 208 applications from educators across West Virginia, a team of education experts selected 29 unique projects to pilot during the 2025-26 academic year.

Projects focus on one of five categories - STEAM, Career and Technical Education, Family Engagement, English Language Arts and Special Education - and are designed to fuel inspirational learning in different ways.

For example, high school students in Upshur County will use virtual reality technology in health care education to enhance career exploration and skill development in therapeutic services. K-4 teachers in Preston County will be equipped with AI concepts to integrate into their classrooms, igniting creativity and fostering digital literacy among their students. In Clay County, an EMT pilot program will prepare high school juniors and seniors for careers in emergency medical services and health care through hands-on health care training and certification opportunities. Berkeley County journalism students will create professional social media commercials for local businesses, gaining real-world media production experience while supporting community and economic development.

Varying in approach, each project will target high-need populations, span multiple disciplines, incorporate real-world experiences, expose career pathways and demonstrate sustainability beyond the funding cycle.

"The Benedum Foundation is committed to expanding access to high-quality educational opportunities for all West Virginia students," Benedum Foundation Senior Program Officer Melanie Claxton said. "We are excited to build on the success of our investments in the WVPEC's Teacher Innovation Grant program, which elevates teachers as experts in delivering enriching, culturally relevant learning rooted in community needs."

The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation has contributed nearly $160,000 to teacher innovation grants since the program's start in 2023.

This year, an additional $20,000 contribution from WVU Health Sciences has funded even more innovative projects in classrooms across the Mountain State.

"Empowering educators to lead with innovation and creativity is essential to building a healthier, more resilient West Virginia," Dr. Clay Marsh, chancellor and executive dean for WVU Health Sciences, said. "We're proud to support this initiative that connects classroom learning with community impact, and grateful to the Benedum Foundation and WVPEC for their leadership in advancing educational excellence across our state."

Donna Hoylman Peduto, executive director of the WVPEC, said West Virginia teachers have always had the passion and big ideas - the Teacher Innovation program is helping to bring those visions to life.

"We're deeply grateful to both the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and WVU Health Sciences for helping us empower West Virginia teachers to bring innovation, creativity and hands-on learning to their classrooms and communities."

These awards will be administered through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and oversees private donations on behalf of the University.

Find more information about the program and see the selected innovation projects.

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kc/11/12/25

MEDIA CONTACT: Kristen CosnerDirector of Communications, Academic Support and ServicesWVU Office of the [email protected]

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