Celebrating Our Pencil Project Recipients
Each year Sgroi Lawley rewards the hard-working teachers of Western New York with our Annual Pencil Project! Five lucky teachers are selected to win a $500 scholarship towards their classrooms. This $500 is theirs to make their job and the classroom experience for their students that much better this year. Since the start of the Pencil Project, we have received over 3000 nominations from all across WNY, with more than 100 school districts represented!
Congratulations to our 2026 Pencil Project winners! We’re proud to recognize five deserving Western New York teachers and support them as they prepare their classrooms for another successful school year. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination and helped us celebrate the incredible educators in our community!
See our 2026 Pencil Project winners below!
Highlights from our past Winners!
Maureen Leonard
Buffalo Public Schools Southside Elementary teacher used her 2025 Pencil Project award to create a more organized and engaging classroom. With a new materials organizer, chair pockets, mini whiteboard erasers, and Magna Doodles for hands-on small-group learning, her classroom is equipped with tools that support student organization, creativity, and multisensory learning.
Jill Robertson
Westminster Community Charter School teacher used her award to create a welcoming and inspiring 5th-grade classroom. With cozy rugs, flexible seating, SEL resources, and essential supplies for every student, her classroom is ready for a year full of learning, growth, and community.
Nancy Fetzer
Saints Peter and Paul School teacher was able to bring some exciting updates to her classroom! She purchased phonics-based games and activities to support her small groups, new dry erase boards and letter magnets, cozy Big Joe beanbags for her reading rug, and fun prizes for her students.
Rebecca Noworyta-Jubulis
A West Seneca West Middle School teacher was able to bring some amazing upgrades to her classroom! She bought school supplies, air-filtering plants, a mobile cart, an adjustable podium, and Giant Microbes plush models to use in science lessons that the students love.
Mary Russell
A teacher Franklin Elementary School, was one of our 2024 Pencil Project winners. She used the award to purchase addtional classroom supplies and an educational app for her students!
Karen Boettcher
A teacher at Hamburg Middle School, was one of the lucky winners of the 2024 Pencil Project Promotion. She used the funds toward new classrroom suuplies to help create a more engaging learning enviornment for her students.
Dawn Spernza
A Kindergraden Teacher at Alden Primary School, one of the beneficiaries of the 2023 Pencil Project!
Ashley Simmons
one of the beneficiaries of the 2022 Pencil Project, used some of her winnings to run weekly book club activities for her students at Erie 1 BOCES!
Rebecca Frerichs
from Wilson Elementary School bought each of her students two new chapter books, some bean bag chairs to read in, a globe, and new decorations for the classroom!
Lynn Tilton
from Bennet Park Montessori Center #32
“With the Pencil Project grant, I was able to purchase materials for teaching phonological and phonemic awareness and phonics. In addition, I purchased books that center around the Growth Mindset. Thank you for this great opportunity!”
Mrs. Cook at Benjamin Franklin Elementary used her winnings to buy school supplies & shared with colleagues in need of materials!
Mrs. Peters at Cleveland Hill Middle School used her winnings to create art kits so her students has access to needed supplies.
“The Family of my students were so grateful they could continue to express their creativity and learn despite having to do so from home”
“Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are so important; I purchased materials such as interlocking magnets, magnetic gear sets, Legos and building blocks to use to problem solve. All the students love these materials and language development and problem solving skills are utilized when we work together.”
“I utilized my gift to fit the needs of 5th through 12th grade students with sensory issues in the school’s community-based program. I purchased cooking utensils to hone in on teaching daily living skills, fidgets to assist with concentration and focus, weighted vests for calming techniques, and so much more.”
“I purchased iPads for my students. They allow for collaboration with peers, engagement, and motivation in the classroom. They also teach students teamwork, problem solving, and higher order thinking skills. My students and I are thankful for the generous gift you have given us.”
TEACHER BENEFITS
Taking Care of Our Teachers
Sgroi Financial is a proud local supporter of teachers assisting over 3,000 clients from over 300 school districts with their 403(b) plans.
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