2026 Edu-preneur Grant Winners
Bridging Generations Through Kindness
Traci Johnson- Meadow Glens Elementary School
With supporting contributors Liz Golden, Bridget Dusek, Shannon March, Alexa Villaron, Amber Shaner and Martin Avenue Apartments
Bridging Generations Through Kindness intentionally integrates literacy instruction with social emotional learning while providing authentic opportunities for connection across generations. Throughout the school year, second grade students will write three letters to senior partners at Martin Avenue Apartments and participate in three in-person visits designed to foster joy, connection and mutual respect.
The letters will be focused on positive messaging, helping students practice letter structure, expressive language, and audience awareness. Seniors are not required to respond, but can choose to respond if they desire, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.
Students will participate in three visits to the senior living community to further foster connection, including a fall harvest parade, a winter musical performance and sing-along and a spring connection through play.
At the end of the school year, students will create a hand-crafted thank you gift for their senior partners.
These experiences extend literacy instruction beyond the classroom and allow students to engage with a real audience in meaningful ways.
Mapping the Future: The Landscape Lab
Emily Brooks- Washington Junior High School
Mapping the Future: The Landscape Lab uses TopoBox Educator Edition to create a hands-on space where students can build, model and analyze the world around them.
TopoBox uses a projector and depth sensor to display real-time topographic maps, contour lines and water flow simulations onto sand that students can shape. As students create mountains, carve rivers or adjust coastlines, the projected map updates instantly to show how the landscape responds.
This resource allows students to become active investigators in their education, boosting engagement, deepening understanding and increasing accessibility for all learners.
Huskie & Redhawk Creative Studios: A School-Based Marketing Internship Program
Peter Hostrawser- Naperville North High School
With supporting contributor Brett Thompson- Naperville Central High School
Huskie & Redhawk Creative Studios is a student-led marketing internship program that operates as an in-house creative agency for Naperville North and Naperville Central High Schools.
Each school will have two student interns that will work together to produce graphics, videos, written features and promotional campaigns that highlight school events, programs and accomplishments. Staff, coaches and club sponsors will submit marketing requests to the interns through a student-built portal. Interns will field all requests and manage each project from concept to delivery.
The program positions students as creators, leaders and problem solvers, while providing them with valuable professional experiences.
