It’s hard to get a job done effectively without all the right tools. Children have varied learning abilities and unique learning styles. The Moberly Public School Foundation provides funding for the tools MPS teachers and educators need to navigate classroom learning styles, create innovative programming and enhance current curriculum. Your gift to the foundation will provide teaching resources and programs not typically covered by the Moberly Public Schools operating budget.
How does it work? Each year the Foundation asks for funds from the community, then awards these funds back to teachers and schools through classroom grants. Innovative projects private dollars have funded:
"My students loved the sewing unit we were able to do because of the Super Grant. They were able to make Christmas presents for everyone in their family and mend some of their clothes. We are leaving one sewing machine out all year, so students can bring in pants that need hemmed or shirts that are torn, so they can repair them. What a great life skill and a sense of empowerment they have gained."
Jennifer Christy, Moberly Public High School
"The super grant has made a tremendous impact on the students who come to my room at GBE. One of the items the grant enabled me to buy was board games, such as Trouble, Jenga and Uno Attack. I purposely ordered games that were frustrating and seemingly unfair because I wanted the students to work on coping skills and appropriate reactions. These simple things have a huge and lasting impact on a student’s behavior!"
Courtney Dirks, Gratz Brown Elementary
“I’m finished! I’m done! What can I do now?” As teachers we hear these questions many times a day. Instead of giving students more work to do, we wanted to give them choices for meaningful play. The Foundation grant enabled us to purchase STEM bins for our classrooms. With these bins, students build with Legos, wooden blocks, straw constructors, brain flakes and magnetic tiles. Instead of just “staying busy,” students engaged in creative and complex tasks. These bins have given our young learners a chance to encourage their creative and inventive sides."
South Park Elementary, Second Grade teachers
Other 2019/2020 Grant awards include:
- Children’s author visit
- Flexible seating for sensory management
- Smart technology for elementary classrooms
Total grant funds awarded during the 2019/20 school year totalled almost $12,000.
Better classroom teaching directly benefits our children.
Your gift will leverage your tax dollars already in use, providing quality education for the children in our community!
Your Gift. Their future!
Your donations stay local! Invest in the future of our community.
The Foundation was formed with the goal of championing the educational success of Moberly public school children by supporting the classrooms, programs and educators in the Moberly Public School system. Grants back to teachers are the most effective way to accomplish this goal.
The funds used for these grants are donated in a variety of ways, such as:
- Honorarium and memorial gifts are a welcomed way to remember a loved one.
- Tax-deductible gifts from your individual or business account
- Planned gifts from bequests, investment accounts or capital expenditure
- Sponsorship gifts for special recognitions.
Please contact 660.269.2600 for any questions regarding making a donation to the Foundation. Our board is happy to work with you on the best ways to use your gift to accomplish your goals and impact our students.
Most grant funds come through the annual sales of the Major Saver cards. The cards are sold each spring by MPS students, and feature discounts and offers from Moberly businesses for those who buy them. The students earn small rewards for each card sold, and the proceeds are given to the Foundation to award back to the schools. It’s a win-win for everyone in our community!
Building on community partnerships, showcasing our successes
As the Foundation works toward the goal of building a stronger Moberly, we want to use as examples past Moberly Public School successes stories and recognize leaders in our educational community. Each fall at MPS Homecoming, the Foundation awards the following honors upon alumni and retired educators:
Distinguished Educator Award
Every generation needs heroes and role models. The Moberly school district has had many educators who could be considered both. We are trying to identify individuals who have left a legacy and have kept education a priority in their community.
If you would like to submit a nomination for the Distinguished Educator Award, please download and submit the Distinguished Educator Award application by clicking the link below.
Distinguished Educator Award Application
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Moberly Public Schools Foundation Distinguished Alumni Award has been established to recognize graduates of Moberly High School for outstanding achievements and contributions to society following graduation. These recipients reflect strong role models with strengths of character and citizenship to inspire and challenge today’s students.
If you would like to submit a nomination for the Distinguished Educator Award, please complete this application.
Distinguished Alumni Award Application
Your nominee could be joining with an impressive list of Moberly citizens dedicated to education. Past recipients include:
2015 Educator Recipients
Ken Asbury
Anne Miller
2015 Alumni Recipients
Joseph F. Knaebel
Dr. Greg Jorgenson
Andrew Medler
2016 Educator Recipients
Ronald Self
Greg Klokkenga
Judy Wetrich
2016 Alumni Recipients
J.W. and Linda Ballinger
2017 Educator Recipients
Paul Copenhaver
Elizabeth Hall
Jill Hughes
2017 Alumni Recipients
Dr. Jeffery C. Lashley
Jeff Kitchen
Kimmy Daly Tadrus
2018 Educator Recipients
Gena McCluskey
2018 Alumni Recipients
Michael Fusselman
Sylvia Ganaway
Laura Heimann
Jerry Jeffrey
2019 Educator Recipients
John Hollenbeck
Terry Fowler
2019 Alumni Recipients
Andale Gross
Barry Orscheln
Please check out the Hall of Fame, located in the Moberly Public High School auditorium lobby, to other past honorees of distinguished Moberly citizens.
Your friends and neighbors, working to improve our schools.
The Foundation is governed by an all-volunteer board of community leaders who are passionate about public education and committed to MPS student success. Founded in September, 1996, the Foundation provides ways for private dollars to benefit the educational opportunities in the Moberly Public Schools. Each board member serves three year terms, for a maximum of two terms. Contact us if you’d like to partner with schools by volunteering your time in this way.
2021-22 Moberly Public Schools Foundation Board Members
Kayla Massie, President
Melia Douglass, Vice President
Glenna Greene, Recording Secretary
Patty Miller, Corresponding Secretary
Nick Miller, Treasurer
Travis Ginter
Mike Skubic
Dr. Dustin Fanning, Ex-Officio
Mrs. Parisa Stoddard, Ex-Officio
Mailing Address:
PO Box 104
Moberly MO 65270
United States