Staff Spotlight Nominations

Help Us Honor a Dedicated Educator in the Talawanda School District

OXFORD, Ohio — The Greater Oxford Community Foundation has opened nominations for the 2026 Harry and Virginia Teckman Educator Award. Nominations are due April 3, 2026.


Established in 1997 by Charles “Charlie” and Joan Teckman in honor of Charlie’s parents, Harry and Virginia Teckman, the award recognizes outstanding educators and staff members in the Talawanda School District. The award is administered through the Greater Oxford Community Foundation and supported by the Harry and Virginia Teckman Fund.


The recipient receives a $500 award and a certificate of recognition. Honorees are typically recognized publicly, including at a Talawanda School Board meeting.


The award has recognized numerous educators across the district in its nearly three-decade history. Recent recipients include Heather Davidson in 2022, Megan Sparks in 2023, Bethany Kuhl in 2024, and Cathy Mabis in 2025. Past coverage has highlighted their contributions to student learning and school culture within the district.


Community members, parents, colleagues and students are encouraged to submit nominations for Talawanda School District staff members who demonstrate excellence, leadership and dedication to students.


Nomination instructions and submission details are available through the Greater Oxford Community Foundation. Written nominations must be received by April 3, 2026. Submissions may be sent via email to admin@oxfordfdn.org or by mail to 22 E. High St., Oxford, OH 45056. 


By Betsy Hope January 30, 2026
The Greater Oxford Community Foundation is excited to announce the recipients of our most recent grants, totaling $142,017 . This marks the second of three grant cycles in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The grant recipients include : New Roots Oxford – $10,740 for Inclusive Housing Resources Talawanda School District – $1,100 for Therapy Dog Talawanda High School – $12,750 for Student Healthcare Education Talawanda Middle School – $5,000 for 8th Grade Class Trip Hope’s Closet – $5,000 for Boutique for Foster Children Parachute CASA – $1,500 for Be a Child’s Voice Three Valley Conservation Trust – $93,250 for Open Spaces Support 2026 Talawanda High School – $471 for Krohn Conservatory Field Trip National Inventors Hall of Fame – $2,955 for Camp Invention TOPSS – $4,250 for JA Building Blocks The next grant deadline for the Greater Oxford Community Foundation is April 15, 2026 . Grants support a wide range of sectors within the Greater Oxford Community, including education, health, civic projects, recreation, social welfare, and arts and culture. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Foundation is able to make a meaningful impact on the lives of people throughout the region.
front door of greater oxford community foundation office
By Betsy Hope November 24, 2025
The Greater Oxford Community Foundation is excited to announce the recipients of our most recent grants, totaling $58,232.60. This marks the first of three grant cycles in the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
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Oxford’s newest dog park, located near Leonard Howell Park and along the Oxford Area Trail System (OATS), is now open to the public, giving local pet owners a second off-leash space to enjoy with their dogs. 
By Molly Monson June 15, 2022
The Board of Trustees of the Greater Oxford Community Foundation has awarded $28,760 in grant requests for the third grant cycle of the fiscal year. These awards include: · HOPE-full Pastures, $2,500 for Hope-full Pastures Summer Camps · Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, $1,000 for Red Door Concert Series · Oxford Literacy Team, $2,000 for Super Summer Readers · Oxford Museum Association, $360 for Summer Program Materials · Miami University Nutrition, $3,000 for Adventures with Nancy · Big Brothers Big Sisters, $5,000 for site-based mentoring at Kramer · Miami University, $2,500, for Miami University Natural Areas · Camp Kasem, $5,000 for Camp Kasem at Miami University · Kramer Elementary, $1,200 for Breakfast Club · Myaamia Center, $6,200 for Neepwaaniiki Tour Grants to area organizations are possible through the continued support and generosity of donors to the Oxford Community Foundation, and the Foundation’s investment earnings are returned to the community each year in the form of grants. Matching donor funds with promising projects and programs, the Oxford Community Foundation funds scholarships and grants that positively impact those living and working in Greater Oxford. The grants provide financial support in the areas of Education, Health, Recreation, Civic Projects, Social Welfare, Arts/Culture, Environment and Beautification. The body content of your post goes here.
By Betsy Hope February 17, 2022
Training for Freedom