PGAEF News

April 10, 2026

Prince George Alliance for Education Foundation (PGAEF) continued its support for Prince George County Public Schools' faculty and staff by awarding mini-grants to three PGCPS teachers in its latest round of funding.

On Thursday, April 9, 2026, PGAEF representatives Jill A. Andrews and Sherry D. Taylor visited two campuses, North Elementary School and L.L. Beazley Elementary School, to make three check presentations to teachers Ms. Bonnie Pearson, Ms. Brooke Fitzwater, and Ms. Kristen Schwalm as part of the Foundation’s mini-grant program. PGAEF's mini-grant initiative helps provide PGCPS faculty and staff with funding for projects that may be outside of the school division's annual budget. The awards support the nonprofit's goals of helping the school division's educators deliver engaging lessons and learning experiences for the children of Prince George County.

The recipients and their projects are as follows:

Ms. Bonnie Pearson - North Elementary School
Received: $3,610.52
Purpose: The grant funds will allow two second-grade teachers from North Elementary School to attend the 2026 Get Your Teach On (GYTO) National Conference in Orlando, Florida, a nationally recognized professional development experience focused on research-based K–8 instructional practices. The conference offers hands-on learning through model lessons, grade-level workshops, and expert-led sessions designed to strengthen student engagement, instructional rigor, and classroom effectiveness.

Following the conference, participating teachers will share strategies and resources with colleagues, thereby enhancing instruction and supporting student success across the school.

Ms. Brooke Fitzwater - North Elementary School
Received: $750
Purpose: The grant funds will allow for the purchase of a BirdBrain Technologies Finch Robot Starter Flock with micro:bits, a set of five programmable robots designed to introduce students to coding and robotics. The kit includes micro:bit processors, a USB charging hub, markers, and a carrying case, providing everything needed for small-group, hands-on learning.

Designed for students from kindergarten through high school, the Finch robots are particularly well-suited for elementary classrooms due to their durability and accessible programming options. Their use supports hands-on learning, encourages creativity and problem-solving, and allows students to build foundational coding skills through visual programming while progressing to more advanced concepts over time.

Ms. Kristen Schwalm - L.L. Beazley Elementary School
Received: $810.97
Purpose: The grant funds will allow for the purchase of a classroom 3D printer and starter filament supplies to expand hands-on STEM learning opportunities across all grade levels. Housed in the school’s Innovation Lab, the printer will be integrated into collaborative, curriculum-aligned lessons led by the Instructional Technology Resource Teacher (ITRT), providing students with opportunities to design, create, and prototype solutions.

Through the use of age-appropriate design software and engineering-based activities, students will strengthen foundational skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, mathematics, and creativity. By incorporating 3D printing into instruction, students will engage in real-world learning experiences that promote perseverance, innovation, and a deeper understanding of STEM concepts. The printer will serve as a long-term instructional resource, supporting continued student learning for years to come.

Posted: October 22, 2024

As the 2024-25 School Year gets underway, locally headquartered Touchstone Bank made a generous contribution to the Prince George Alliance for Education Foundation to support the organization's mission and goals.

During the October 16, 2024, meeting of the Prince George County School Board, Touchstone Bank staffer Jasmine Hart presented the Foundation with a $100 check, received by Foundation members Jill Andrews and Sherry Taylor, along with the Prince George County School Board.

During her remarks, Hart shared that she has a child who will soon attend Prince George County Public Schools, and it means a lot to her to be able to support local students and teachers through this donation to the Foundation. 

Prince George Alliance for Education Foundation Awards Three PGCPS Educators Mini-Grants During Latest Funding Round

Organization Donates Nearly $4,000 in Grants to Local Teachers

Posted: March 24, 2023

Prince George Alliance for Education Foundation (PGAEF) continued its support of Prince George County Public Schools' faculty and staff as the nonprofit organization provided mini-grants to three PGCPS educators through their mini-grant program.

On Friday, March 17, 2023, the PGAEF Prize Patrol made two special deliveries, starting the morning at North Elementary School, where kindergarten teacher Brooke Fitzwater was presented with a check for $1,128. The funds will be used to purchase sensory tools for her students and will be available to other members of North Elementary's kindergarten team. 

Later in the day, the PGAEF Prize Patrol visited Prince George High School, surprising Independent Living teacher Kimberly Saunders with a check for $500, allowing for the purchase of stuffed animal sewing kits, helping to support Saunders' goals of giving students a variety of hands-on learning opportunities in her class.

The final PGAEF Prize Patrol stop was made on Friday, March 24, 2023, at the recently opened Middle Road Elementary School, surprising Information Technology Resource Teacher (ITRT) Jenna Kimble with a $994 check. Through this funding, Kimble will be able to add five Blue-Bots and five additional maps to the school’s available technology, helping K-5 students at the school integrate coding practices with core content skills.

PGAEF's mini-grant program helps provide PGCPS faculty and staff with funding for projects that may be outside of the school division's annual budget. The awards support the nonprofit's goals of helping the school division's educators deliver engaging lessons and learning experiences for the children of Prince George County.

PGAEF awards mini-grants quarterly, with the next application deadline quickly approaching on Friday, April 14, 2023. Following the April submission period, applicants can complete the online application by Friday, June 16, to be considered for mini-grant funding.

The March grant awards are the latest to be funded by The Prince George Alliance for Education Foundation. In January, North Elementary School 4th grade teacher Megan Wilder received a $1,000 grant for professional development, helping Wilder and her colleague, Liza Newbold, attend the “Get Your Teach On” conference, a multi-day event specializing in professional development for educators and administrators.

During the 2022-23 School Year, PGAEF has awarded over $3,500 in mini-grants to Prince George County Public Schools educators. 

Fourth Grade Teacher Megan Wilder to Attend 'Get Your Teach On' Conference

Posted: January 23, 2023

Prince George Alliance for Education Foundation (PGAEF) continued its support of Prince George County Public Schools' faculty and staff as the non-profit organization awarded North Elementary School 4th grade teacher Megan Wilder $1,000 through their mini-grant program. 

On Friday, January 13, 2023, Prince George School Board Vice-Chair and PGAEF President Jill A. Andrews joined Superintendent Dr. Lisa Pennycuff, Chief Financial Officer Monique Barnes, and others for a morning ceremony in North Elementary's media center where Wilder was presented with a $1,000 check and flowers from the organization. As part of her application, Wilder requested grant funding to attend "Get Your Teach On," a conference specializing in professional development for educators and administrators. She invited fellow North Elementary School teacher Liza Newbold to join her at the conference in February.

PGAEF's mini-grant program helps provide PGCPS faculty and staff with funding for projects that may be outside of the school division's annual budget. The awards support the non-profit's goals of helping the school division's educators deliver engaging lessons and learning experiences for the children of Prince George County.

Wilder now joins past PGAEF grant recipients Amber Braham and Candace Adair, teachers at David A. Harrison Elementary School, who received $250 and $500 in mini-grant funding during the 2021-22 School Year, respectively.

Event Kicked Off Busy Morning at Courthouse Complex

Posted: October 17, 2022

Prince George Alliance for Education Foundation's annual pancake breakfast returned for another year of delivering tasty hot cakes while supporting a great cause in our community.

Kicking off just after 7 a.m. at L.L. Beazley Elementary School, volunteers whipped up stack after stack of pancakes and served them up to dozens of customers through the morning-long event, with both dine-in and takeout options available. This year's event also featured the addition of a seasonal crafts yard sale. Nearly a dozen vendors set up shop along the campus' main walkway selling a variety of home decor, jewelry, and other wares.

This year's event coincided with the 8th Annual Virginia Czech & Slovak Folklife Festival hosted on the historic courthouse grounds, just a short walk away from the foundation's breakfast event. The timing allowed the community to make a morning of it at the county's center by enjoying a warm meal before browsing the nearby farmer's market and festival grounds. 

The pancake breakfast event is the first fundraising event for the foundation of the 2022-23 School Year, with the organization currently planning several more events through the year ahead. Be sure to visit the foundation's page regularly for updates on events and how you can get involved. 

The community's contributions and support of PGAEF help us achieve our goal of ensuring every child has a strong foundation.

Posted: August 31, 2022

Please consider donating a gift to the Friends of Prince George County Public Schools Endowed Fund through the John Randolph Foundation. Donations from our community help support the Foundation's mission of ensuring continued opportunities for educational excellence in Prince George County Public Schools.

To make a donation, click HERE to be taken to the John Randolph Foundation website.

From there, complete the form and select "Friends of Prince George County Public Schools Endowed Fund" under the Endowed Funds section if you wish to have your donation applied to the fund.

Posted: February 15, 2022

The Prince George Alliance for Education Foundation (PGAEF) awarded a pair of grants to two David A. Harrison Elementary School teachers to support their efforts to deliver engaging lessons and learning experiences to their students.

Harrison Elementary Title I teacher Amber Barham and special education teacher Candace Adair received grants of $250 and $500, respectively, as part of the Foundation's Teacher & Classroom Mini-Grant program. These grants can help educators fund projects that may not be part of the school division's adopted budget.

For Ms. Barham, she used her grant funds to purchase an assortment of books to benefit her students and the entire Harrison Elementary community. 

Applications for grant funding will remain open. The committee will review new applications at the end of each marking period.

To apply, click the link below: Prince George Alliance for Education Foundation

Posted: August 31, 2026

The community came together in support of the children of Prince George County during the Prince George Alliance for Education Foundation's annual gala dinner fundraiser, an evening dedicated to celebration, connection, and giving back.

SEE MORE PHOTOS: 2026 PGAEF Gala Dinner Event

The event was hosted at the Hopewell Moose Lodge on Saturday, August 29, 2026, and featured a variety of donated items for attendees to bid on during the gala's silent auction, including Prince George County Public Schools spirit wear, handcrafted art, and items from local businesses. The event also featured remarks from previous mini-grant award winners, who shared how the PGAEF's funding supported projects that benefited students in their classrooms and schools in Prince George County.

The Foundation thanks the following vendors and individuals that made this year’s gala a success: ASR Advantus Corp., Agri-Supply, Patrick & Rachel Barnes, Barnyard Creatives, Blue Bird Bus Sales, Children’s Museum-Richmond, Ronnie Collins, Colonial Harley-Davidson, Creative Art Center, Farm Pet Resort, Fink’s Jewelers, Flagstop Car Wash, General Cigar, Paul Holland, GFWC James River Woman’s Club, Honeywell, James R. Jones Builders, K & J Fitness, KO Pressure Washing, Lamb Center for Arts, Ligon Jones Insurance, Milk & Honey Rest., Morelia’s Mexican Rest., Nanny’s Restaurant, Outback Steak House, Perdue Foods, Petersburg Jewelers, Prince George Women’s Club, Publix Super Market, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Roma’s Italian Rest., Salty Siren, Brenda Schraner, Strosnider Chevrolet, Inc., Swift Creek Mill Theatre, Texas Roadhouse, Tractor Supply Store, Tri-City Wrecker, VFW Post 637, Virginia Baseball Tourneys, LLC, Waste Knot, Joy Wettstein, and Wines for Humanity. 

Additionally, the PGAEF thanks our local schools, Rowanty Technical Center, and PGCPS Athletics.

Fundraising events like the Prince George Alliance for Education Foundation's Gala Dinner and others help raise funds for the non-profit's mini-grant program and other initiatives that support Prince George County Public Schools, its students, and staff. During the 2025-26 School Year, the PGAEF awarded over $5,100 in grants to PGCPS teachers. Local teachers used those funds to support professional development opportunities, purchase programmable robots designed to introduce students to coding and robotics, and expand one school's STEM learning lab with new tools, including a 3D printer.

The Foundation is also supported by the Friends of Prince George County Public Schools Endowed Fund, administered by the John Randolph Foundation. This fund will support the school division's efforts to provide high-quality education to the children of Prince George County. 

To donate, visit the John Randolph Foundation website. From there, click “Donate,” and type in "Friends of the Prince George County Public Schools Endowment Fund” in the provided box if you wish to have your donation applied to the fund.