Four Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools teachers were surprised this week when Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness awarded them more than $31,000 in funding through the City’s Educator Innovation Grant program.

The initiative, launched in 2024, provides financial support for teachers to develop creative, hands-on learning opportunities in their classrooms. With this latest round of awards, the city has distributed nearly $385,000 in funding to educators since the program began.

“The Educator Innovation Grant program is about empowering our teachers to try new ideas that inspire students and reimagine what learning can look like,” Fadness said.

Since its launch, 24 grants have been awarded across 13 HSE schools, supporting projects ranging from makerspaces and virtual reality programs to English as a New Language initiatives and teacher professional development.

This week’s recipients include:

• Melanie Mullins, 2nd Grade, Harrison Parkway Elementary — $8,590 to establish a K–4 STEM Lab Starter, including lab hardware and professional development for teachers.

• Shannon Foster, 4th Grade, Lantern Road Elementary — $5,445.69 for a LEGO Learning System to introduce students to STEAM concepts and creative problem solving.

• Nicolle Symons, 5th–6th Grade, Fall Creek Intermediate — $10,548 to create a makerspace for hands-on STEM exploration and career readiness activities.

• Erin Gastineau, 10th Grade, Hamilton Southeastern High School — $11,700 to purchase Manikens® models for the Human Body Systems course, part of the school’s Project Lead the Way Biomedical Pathway.

Grant applications are reviewed by a selection committee made up of former HSE educators, community entrepreneurs, and HSE alumni.

The City of Fishers has budgeted $50,000 for the program in 2026. Applications are accepted year-round, and the next round of grants will be announced in spring 2026.

More information about the Educator Innovation Grant program is available at this link.