Donate to The Excellence Fund
Following the Columbine tragedy in 1999, thousands of dollars poured into the JCEA office. Many of the contributions came from state and local associations, businesses, individual teachers and concerned citizens across the nation.
Often they came requesting something positive be done for Jeffco teachers in memory of fallen Columbine teacher, Dave Sanders.
In August of 1999, the JCEA Board of Directors responded by expanding and refocusing the former JCEA Christa Mcauliffe Scholarship Fund, an educator and one of the seven crew members killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. The scholarship fund became a 501-c3 entity and was renamed The JCEA Excellence Fund. Today, the JCEA Excellence Fund is administered by The JCEA Excellence Fund Committee which consists of both Jeffco educators and community members.
The Excellence Fund can only continue to support our community and future educators through the giving of people like you! Use the button to donate to the Excellence Fund through Colorado Gives.
The Excellence Fund Scholarship
Congratulations to this year’s Excellence Fund scholars, Liah Cook & Fiona Morrison-Price.
The JCEA Excellence Fund Scholarship provides $4000 over the course of four years of college to a Jeffco Public Schools student pursuing a career in education.
Scholarship application closes February 16, 2027 at 8:00AM.
The Shermita West Student of Color Scholarship
Congratulations to this year’s Shermita West scholar, Heyzel Perez-Ortiz.
Shermita West made history in Jeffco as the first woman of color to become President of JCEA. This scholarship honors her legacy by offering $1000 to a student of color in Jeffco Public Schools pursuing a college education.
Scholarship application closes February 16, 2027 at 8:00AM.
Sue Anne Berger Scholarship
Congratulations to this year’s Sue Ann Berger scholars, Apollo Urban & Isabel Anne Smyth.
Sue Ann Berger was a dedicated educator in Jeffco Public Schools for 23 years and the recipient of the 1990 President’s Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, which she used to create a team of educators who shared scientific education across rural school districts.
Through a continuing endowment, the Sue Ann Berger Scholarship Fund honors the thousands of lives that Sue Ann Berger impacted and improved through her life by providing a staggered scholarship to two students each year that begins as a two thousand dollar award but increases to a $5000 award by the student’s senior year. The total scholarship amount is $14,000. This scholarship benefits students studying for a career in physical sciences.
Scholarship application closes February 16, 2027 at 8:00AM.
Dave Sanders Quality Teaching Grant
Congratulations to this year’s Dave Sanders Teaching Grant recipient Carrie Stolper from Fletcher Miller.
The Dave Sanders Quality Teaching Grant honors the memory of Dave Sanders, a fallen educator at Columbine High School whose heroic actions saved dozens of students’ lives during the shooting that took place there in April of 1999. The Scholarship offers up to $1,000 in funds for educators to further their professional development and is funded through the JCEA Excellence Fund.
Scholarship application closes February 16, 2027 at 8:00AM.