University High School is proud to announce that Spanish teacher Mercedes Muñiz-Peredo and Director of Wellness Lade Akande have been selected as recipients of the Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program (TCFP) for 2025. This highly competitive grant provides up to $15,000 to Indiana K-12 educators to pursue renewal projects that foster creativity, deepen knowledge, and enhance their professional growth.
The Lilly Endowment launched the Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program in 1987 to encourage educators to explore new experiences that restore their passion for teaching and bring innovative ideas back to their classrooms. This year, 129 educators from across the state were awarded fellowships for projects that span a wide range of disciplines, from exploring historical sites to engaging in creative and wellness-based pursuits.
Mercedes Muñiz-Peredo – Walking Around in The Land of Poets
Muñiz-Peredo will travel through Chile, visiting locations where some of the country’s most renowned writers lived and worked. By experiencing the landscapes and cultures that shaped their writing, she aims to deepen her understanding of Chilean literature. Her journey will also include culinary exploration and the creation of a travel journal featuring local recipes.
Lade Akande – OM Canada! A Spiritual Self-Study Through the Rocky Mountains
Akande’s project will take her to the Canadian Rockies, where she will engage in spiritual practices that promote self-reflection and holistic well-being. Her goal is to integrate mindfulness and personal growth techniques into her work with students, enriching the school community with new perspectives on wellness and balance.
The Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program has supported more than 3,800 Indiana educators since its inception. The program is part of a broader initiative by the Lilly Endowment to invest in professionals across various nonprofit sectors, including education, human services, the arts, and religion.
Congratulations to Ms. Muñiz-Peredo and Ms. Akande on this incredible achievement! We are excited to see how these experiences inspire their work and enrich our students and school community.