Fishers Mayor Surprises Local Teachers with $95K in Innovation Grants

LarryInFishers.com

Five Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools educators received a surprise visit from Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness this week — and with him came more than $95,000 in grant funding aimed at transforming classrooms across the district.

The awards were part of the City of Fishers’ Educator Innovation Grant program, an initiative launched in 2024 to support bold, creative projects that reimagine education. With this latest round, the program has now distributed nearly $350,000 in total, funding 22 educators across 12 schools.

There is no cap on individual grant amounts, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This round of recipients is bringing a wide range of projects to HSE classrooms:

  • Jamie Follis of Hamilton Southeastern High School received $16,200 to expand the Olio Road Productions film program, enabling students to create short fictional, promotional, and documentary films throughout the year — with potential public screenings in partnership with the City.

  • Jeffrey Brunnemer at Fall Creek Junior High was awarded $3,600 to purchase Time Kettle translator earbuds for English as a New Language (ENL) students, helping them navigate academic content more independently.

  • John McCallister, also at Hamilton Southeastern High School, received $39,100 for a welding simulation system. This technology will give students the opportunity to earn up to two welding certifications and prepare them for careers in the skilled trades.

  • Jenifer Young, teaching at Hamilton Southeastern High School, was granted $15,100 to provide additional tools and support for English as a Second Language (ESL) students, helping bridge cultural and language divides in the classroom.

  • Will Hurst at Cumberland Road Elementary was awarded $22,980 for the school’s “Village of Cumberland” project — a hands-on learning experience modeled after a “Biz Town” to support third grade students on their educational journey.

The grants are reviewed and awarded by a selection committee made up of former HSE educators, local entrepreneurs, and alumni. Current committee members include retired educators Mike Fassold, Brad Jackson, and Kaleigh Arndt; Conner Prairie’s teacher-in-residence Amy Murch; and HSE graduate Jordin Alexander, who now serves as Chief of Staff for the City of Fishers.