GIPS Foundation Elevates Professional Growth through Grants
GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA – July 30, 2025 - At the Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) Foundation, our mission extends beyond supporting students—we are also deeply committed to empowering the educators and staff who shape their success. Through the Dr. Eugene Miller Professional Development Grant and the newly established GIPS Foundation Professional Development Grants, we are proud to invest in the continued growth and excellence of our district’s professionals.
"The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation was excited to support our educators, staff, and administration through the Dr. Eugene Miller Professional Development Grant and the two new GIPSF Professional Development Grants," said Kari Hooker-Leep, Executive Director of the GIPS Foundation. "These grants represent our commitment to providing them with resources to empower and excel in their roles in shaping the success of our students."
Each grant awards $1,000 toward further education or training that supports the applicant’s current role and future goals within Grand Island Public Schools. The two new GIPSF Professional Development Grants were made possible thanks to the generosity of our community during the 2024 Harvest event. This annual grant fund will empower our staff for years to come.
2025 Grant Recipients:
Dr. Eugene Miller Professional Development Grant
Congratulations to Abigail Johnson, an 8th-grade teacher at Walnut Middle School, who was awarded the 2025 Dr. Eugene Miller Professional Development Grant! Ms. Johnson is pursuing a Master’s degree in Learning Design and Technology at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK). Her goal is to better understand and implement new technologies in the classroom, equipping her students with the tools and skills they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
GIPS Foundation Professional Development Grant Recipients
This year also marks the first time the GIPS Foundation has offered its own Professional Development Grants—expanding our reach and impact. We’re thrilled to congratulate the two outstanding recipients of these inaugural grants.
Haley Koeppe, an English teacher at the GISH Academy of Engineering and Technology, will use her grant to pursue a Master of Science in Secondary Education with a concentration in English at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO). Her goal is to continue growing as both an educator and a leader, so she can have an even greater impact on her students at Grand Island Senior High.
Alyssa Jensen, a 3rd-grade teacher at Wasmer Elementary, is currently working toward a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Concordia University. Ms. Jensen said, “This support not only empowers me to grow professionally, but it also directly benefits my students through more effective and engaging learning experiences”. With her continued education, she aims to develop standards-based and culturally responsive programming that engages and inspires every student in her classroom.
These three educators represent the passion, commitment, and drive for excellence that defines Grand Island Public Schools. By supporting their learning goals, the GIPS Foundation is not only investing in individual careers but also in the future of our classrooms and communities.
Learn more about our Professional Development Grants at https://gipsfoundation.org/programs/grants/professional-development-grant.html, and help us continue to celebrate and support the lifelong learners shaping the next generation.
