Brownlee Teaching Grant 2025:

The Brownlee Teaching Grant is a grant of $500 which is awarded at the end of each school year to a teacher who best integrates the Hidden Villa Environmental Education experience into their curriculum. There are no restrictions on how the grant is used. Any teacher who has participated in any Hidden Villa school program between September 2024 and May 2025 is eligible. Teachers may apply for the grant themselves, or nominate a colleague for the award. Applications will be due June 30, 2025, and the winner will be notified in August.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Teacher offers the students specific pre and/or post field trip lessons and activities that enhance and/or reinforce the visit.
• Teacher identifies specific impacts the Hidden Villa experience has on their students. This may include skills and knowledge learned as well as changes in attitude and perspectives.

To Apply or Nominate: 

Fill out the application form by June 30, 2025. Applications/nominations may be submitted at any time. A winner will be selected and notified in August 2025.

Past Awardees:

2006 Nell Douglas
2007 Melissa Vandermolen, Taft Elementary, Redwood City
2008 Anita Jones, Edison Elementary, Alameda
2009 Heather Skibbins, Bowman Elementary, Hayward
2010 Emma Samuels, Keys School, Palo Alto
2011 Chris Carrier, Harden Middle School, Salinas
2012 Amy Szasz, Longfellow Elementary, San Francisco
2013 Marcy Nagatani, Taylor Elementary, San Jose
2014 Phuong Lam,  Franklin Elementary, San Jose
2015 Sarah Horwitz, Acorn Woodland School, Oakland
2016 Christina Rocchi, Blackford Elementary, San Jose
2017 Alicia Walpole, Guadalupe Elementary, San Jose
2018 Lauren Traube, Willow Oaks Elementary, East Menlo Park
2019 Joan Solari, Cesar Chavez Academy, East Palo Alto
2020 Tracy Hsu, Franklin Elementary, San Jose
2021 Erika Kao, Bubb Elementary, Mountain View
2022 Debi Sabo, Mulberry School, Los Gatos
2023 Bianka Nessler, Sequoia High School