Rio Rancho Education Foundation awards $4,000 grant to expand "Building Thinking Classrooms" in district middle schools

The Rio Rancho Education Foundation presented a $4,000 grant to Rio Rancho Public Schools to expand the Building Thinking Classrooms program — a research-based approach developed by Peter Liljedahl that emphasizes randomized collaborative groups, standing whiteboards and problem-solving tasks.

Jessica Mercer, a teacher who piloted the method last spring at Eagle Ridge Middle School, described immediate improvements she observed: "My students were very eager to work at the whiteboards. They were actively more engaged in the math," Mercer said, adding that quieter students began contributing in small groups. The grant will purchase classroom whiteboards, markers and supplies to support the program across all four district middle schools.

Wyndham Kinsley, executive director of communications, introduced the foundation’s representatives. Jessica Miranda, president of the Rio Rancho Education Foundation, presented the check and described the foundation's support for the initiative. Superintendent Lisa Cleveland thanked the educators and the foundation for expanding student engagement in math instruction.

Board policy requires formal board acceptance of grants and donations; staff said the board will be asked to accept the foundation's grant at a future agenda (the board discussed the timing during the meeting). The district plans an open house at RioTech on July 30 for community tours and noted the program expansion will be piloted as the school year begins.

The grant is intended to supply materials and teacher supports needed to scale the approach districtwide for middle grades; staff said the funds will be used for whiteboards, markers and teacher support rather than operational overhead.