At Rising Tide Partners, we believe in the power of education to spark lasting change - and nowhere is that more evident than through our work with the Leucadia Wastewater District (LWD) on their annual Teacher Grant Program. Each year, LWD awards funding to local educators who bring water science and environmental stewardship to life in their classrooms.
This year marked a milestone: six schools were selected as grant recipients, the largest number of applicants and winners since RTP began managing the program. The 2024/2025 cycle continued to inspire young minds and deepen community awareness through hands-on learning, creativity, and a whole lot of heart.
Since its inception, the Teacher Grant Program has empowered teachers across North County San Diego to develop original curriculum tied to water conservation, pollution prevention, and sustainable practices. These grants help cover supplies, field trips, and interactive projects that make wastewater science engaging for students of all ages. This year’s recipients took the program to new heights - transforming campuses into living classrooms where water protection became personal.
One shining example? The kindergarten team at Capri Elementary, led by teacher Nancy Jois, brought the science of clean water directly to their students through an unforgettable event: 2025 Water Day.
Held in partnership with LWD, the event transformed the campus into a hands-on hub of environmental discovery. Students donned lab coats, explored sewer system equipment, performed water cycle songs, and even produced their own news report about the day’s events.
At La Costa Heights Elementary, the Teacher Grant Program sparked two unique and meaningful student experiences:
The Water Protectors Project - where students explored how clean water reaches their homes and what they can do to keep local waterways safe. Through engaging classroom discussions and interactive learning, they began to see themselves as “water protectors” - capable of making a real impact in their community.
The Field Services Team Visit - that had the LWD’s Field Services Team bring sewer equipment and safety tools straight to campus, offering students a behind-the-scenes look at the essential careers that keep our water systems running. Kids were fascinated by the demonstration - and inspired by the idea that they, too, could one day work in water.
Across both schools, these moments of discovery highlight what the Teacher Grant Program does best: it turns water science into something tangible, memorable, and deeply personal.
This year, Rising Tide Partners helped amplify these stories by capturing them on video and sharing them with the wider community. These student-centered stories not only showcase the joy and creativity of classroom projects but also reinforce the broader mission of LWD: to protect our coastal environment and promote sustainable water use.
We also supported LWD in preparing for their annual board meeting, where teachers and students presented their projects, shared what they learned, and thanked the District for investing in their education. It was a heartfelt reminder of how public utilities can lead the way in environmental education and local partnerships.
Programs like this do more than teach science - they cultivate a generation that’s aware, empowered, and ready to protect their environment. Rising Tide Partners is proud to support LWD in nurturing the next wave of water leaders, one classroom at a time.
Click here to Learn more about the Teacher Grant Program