By Nancy Bowman
A new Tipp City Foundation fund honoring a woman who taught 35 years at Broadway Elementary School will provide money for the school’s principal to use to benefit students annually.
The fund was created by Don McAlexander in recognition of his late wife, Nancy McAlexander.
Tina Smith, principal of Broadway Elementary School, said the fund is unique and provides appreciated added resources for the school.
"Nancy is a former educator, so this fund comes from a place of deep understanding of what our teachers and students need. The purpose of the fund is simple and powerful: to support elementary education in Tipp City Schools in ways that directly benefit students,” Smith said. “We don’t yet know the dollar amount we’ll receive each year, but we do know it will begin in January and will be used exclusively for our youngest learners.”
Dedicated to elementary education, the fund allows the school/leaders to consider instructional materials, hands-on learning tools, literacy and math resources and enrichment experiences that go beyond the general operating budget.
"Our goal is to use these dollars to expand opportunities for students and strengthen the work happening in our classrooms every day,” Smith said. “We’re also eager to explore ways the fund can support innovation in teaching — whether that’s updated classroom technology, new curriculum supports, or programs that help teachers meet students’ individual needs. This kind of flexibility is rare, and it will absolutely make a difference.”
Nancy McAlexander died in October 2024 at age 80. She taught at Broadway Elementary School from 1968 to 2003. She volunteered for the Clothesline in Tipp City, Life Essentials in Dayton, Miami County Adult Basic Literacy, Needy Basket of Southern Miami County, and spent many years volunteering for the Victoria Theatre Association in Dayton.
She and her husband, who worked in computer programming, enjoyed traveling with family and friends in Corvette Troy and the National Road Corvette Club.
“We’re honored that the McAlexanders chose to support our elementary students in such a thoughtful and lasting way. Every principal — and really every teacher — loves a gift that goes directly to kids,” Smith said “This fund will allow us to say ‘yes’ more often to opportunities that enrich learning. We are grateful, excited and already thinking about the possibilities this opens for our students.”
More information about the Tipp City Foundation is available at www.tippfoundation.org.