Blue Valley Educational Foundation
HOME
WHO WE ARE
WHAT WE DO
SUPPORT
EVENTS
BVWELL
Blue Valley Educational Foundation
HOME
WHO WE ARE
WHAT WE DO
SUPPORT
EVENTS
BVWELL
More
  • HOME
  • WHO WE ARE
  • WHAT WE DO
  • SUPPORT
  • EVENTS
  • BVWELL
  • HOME
  • WHO WE ARE
  • WHAT WE DO
  • SUPPORT
  • EVENTS
  • BVWELL

Grants

BVEF empowers teachers to go beyond traditional classroom limits which enables students to innovate, lead, and learn for a successful future. For almost than 35 years, the Foundation has supported Blue Valley schools with over $9.3 million in grants, scholarships, and special programs.

Learn About Women's Giving Circle | Surprise Squad | New Teacher Welcome

Educator Awards

The Dr. David Benson Teacher of the Year Award was created by BVEF in 2004 to honor retiring BV Superintendent Dr. Benson. The awards were expanded in 2010 to include the BVEA Master Teacher of the Year and the district’s Kansas Master Teacher of the year finalists. Since 2004, these awards of $1,250 each have been generously funded by Commerce Bank. The 2024 awards are as follows:

DR. BENSON TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Sherry Kenny          Cottonwood Point Elementary 

Dan Freeman          Blue Valley North High

MASTER TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Bre McGranahan       Stanley Elementary

Kale Mann                  Blue Valley High

INNOVATIVE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

The Innovative Educator Award was created with BVEF by Blue Valley North High School parents Ken Selzer and Deb Grimes to honor classroom educators using innovative and creative teaching practices. In 2014, the $2,500 award was expanded to honor two recipients.

Ariel Puccetti                Overland Trail Elementary

Brooke Karr                   Overland Trail Middle

BVEF CHAMPION FOR STUDENTS

The Champion for Students Award was created with BVEF and Blue Valley West parents Neal and Angela Sharma in 2024 to honor educators who foster a transformative impact on their students’ lives.

Amanda Wambold                       Early Childhood Development                 $2,500

Christopher Brodersen                Overland Trail Middle                                $2,500

Taryn Gervais                                Blue Valley Southwest                              $2,500

Scholarships

EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO LEAD

Through the generosity of our Silver Society members and other BVEF patrons, BVEF administers 18 student scholarships.

Get Scholarship Information

Mental Health & Wellness

Our young people are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis, and Blue Valley is committed to supporting mental health and wellness at every stage in school and life. The District offers a comprehensive K-12 mental health and wellness curriculum - and recognizes the need to do more. 


BVEF partners with generous organizations and donors to fund vital mental health initiatives for students, staff, and parents that would not be possible without their financial support. 

Professional Collaboration

Professional Collaboration

Professional Collaboration

BVEF collaborates with BV Student Support Services professionals including School Counselors, Social Workers and Psychologists to support impactful training for these crucial staff and to deliver effective programs for parents and caregivers in partnership with BV Well.  

Sources of Strength

Professional Collaboration

Professional Collaboration

Through a generous partnership with Keep The Spark Alive and SPEAK UP, the Sources of Strength (SOS) program is funded in all 14 Blue Valley middle and high schools. SOS provides evidence-based prevention for suicide, violence, bullying and substance abuse by training, supporting, and empowering both peer leaders and caring adults to impact their world through the power of connection, hope, help and strength. 

Read More

#GiveMe20

Professional Collaboration

Wellness Walk

#GiveMe20, has been instrumental in helping to break the stigma surrounding mental health in our community. Addressing the impulsivity of teen suicide, #GiveMe20 asks the question “What if, instead of spending 20 minutes deciding to end your life, you spent that same time remembering to live it?”. #GiveMe20 workshops and creation of LifeBoxes filled with resources to navigate dark moments is saving lives.

Learn More

Wellness Walk

Mental Health First Aid Initiative

Wellness Walk

Open to all in our community, the Wellness Walk is a special place where nature, mental health and wellness come together. Come enjoy a mindful walk immersed in nature to renew your senses and refresh your body and mind. The Wellness Walk was made possible through generous support from Keep the Spark Alive.

Located within the Wilderness Science Center grounds at: 5001 W 163rd Terrace, Overland Park, KS

BV Well

Mental Health First Aid Initiative

Mental Health First Aid Initiative

BV Well programs offer support and education for parents and caregivers in Blue Valley as they navigate mental health and wellness with their families. BVEF partners with parents, educators, and community partners to provide impactful programs and resources. Visit the BV Well page for more information.

Learn More

Mental Health First Aid Initiative

Mental Health First Aid Initiative

Mental Health First Aid Initiative

In 2023, the District partnered with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to train 17 Blue Valley educators as Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructors. These instructors are training hundreds of educators, administrators, coaches and sponsors across the District over a 3-year period. BVEF committed to fund this $100K initiative and has secured more than half of the cost.

About MHFA

Supporting Special Education

Para-to-Teacher Program

Blue Valley Educational Foundation introduced a new “Para-to-Teacher” program aimed to take away financial barriers for special education paraprofessionals to become full-time licensed teachers. 


The Blue Valley School District, like so many others, faces a shortage of special education teachers. “Ensuring the district has sufficient special education teachers is and continues to be a true challenge,” said Michael Rea of the Rea Family Foundation, which aims to support people with developmental disabilities. “At times, there isn’t a large enough pool of qualified special education teachers to fill positions.” The para-to-teacher program will provide up to ten (10) $13,140 scholarships for eligible paraprofessionals. 

Blue Valley Food Pantry

The Blue Valley Pantry helps solve two major community problems: hunger and lack of vocational opportunities for students who receive special education services in the Blue Valley School District. 


The Blue Valley Food Pantry is a community food pantry that is operated by students who receive special education services in the Blue Valley School District. In addition to feeding families in Blue Valley, the food pantry is a job location dedicated to helping eligible high school students who are enrolled in the Career Development Opportunities Program (CDOP) to develop job skills necessary for competitive employment.

Copyright © 2025 Blue Valley Educational Foundation - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

  • HOME
  • WHO WE ARE
  • WHAT WE DO
  • SUPPORT
  • EVENTS
  • BVWELL
  • CONTACT

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept