Local Teachers Share $64K In Education Grants

October 21, 2014

Over $64,000 in grants were presented to local teachers Monday night  by the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation as part of it annual Grants for Excellence Awards.

“This program is especially important for Escambia County Public Schools because there are needs in the classroom that cannot be covered through existing school or district budgets,” said David Deliman, chairman of the foundation’s board of firectors. “Our Foundation’s mission is to help overcome these gaps to ensure local students have the tools and resources they need to compete in today’s competitive economy.”

This year’s grants represented a wide variety of projects, all with a focus on either STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) areas or literacy initiatives. For example. students in Henrietta Adams’ classroom at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment will read books about African art on a “multicultural safari” which was funded by a foundation grant. In Douglas Allen’s classroom at Tate High Schol, students will turn to physics toe explore the speed ratio of runners, and in the classroom of Nichole Childress at Jim Allen Elementary School, the old adage “a picture is worth a 1,000 words” will come to life with visual vocabulary cards. And at Ransom Middle, students let by Chet Truett will produce a newscast using iPads.
The following 45 projects received up to $2,000 each for a total of $64,316.82 in grants from the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation:

  • Henrietta Adams, Jim Allen Elementary – Amazing African Art: A Multicultural Safari
  • Douglas Allen, Tate High – Physics of Speed-Ratio of Runners
  • Theresa Anderson, Oakcrest Elementary – The Read-Aloud Factor
  • Sara Barcellona, Brown-Barge Middle – Astrorockets
  • Edward Bauer, Washington High – Accessing the Diversity & Abundance of Nearshore Species
  • Russell L. Bertles, Workman Middle – The Theory of Music-tivity
  • Robin Blalock, Tate High – Of Mice and Men
  • James Bobbitt, Pensacola High – Visualizing Polynomial Graphs using Graphing Calculators
  • Adam Bretschneider, Roy Hyatt Environmental Studies Center 3– Experience the WildCAT: A Hands-on FCATE Ecology Review
  • Sherri Carter, Bratt Elementary – Flip Classroom to Success
  • Nichole Childress, Jim Allen Elementary – Visual Vocabulary Cards: A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words
  • Heidi Chism, Pine Meadow Elementary – Reptiles! Reptiles! Reptiles!
  • Tim Deloge, Escambia High – NASA Human Exploration River Challenge
  • Diedra Diettel, Suter Elementary – Eggstra! Eggstra! Learn All About It!
  • Ann Dungan, Blue Angels Elementary – Bullying? Not At Our School!!
  • Patricia Gaddis, Tate High – Video Variations and Explorations
  • Melissa Garcia, Semmes Elementary – Differentiating Literacy and Math Education
  • Krystal Gibson, Beulah – Genius Hour: Engaging Students by Igniting Their Passion
  • Rachel W. Gilmore, Molino Park Elementary – Reading/Writing Round-Up
  • Kathy Godwin, Semmes Elementary – Bringing the World to Life
  • Anna K. Harageones, Ferry Pass Elementary – Help Young Readers & Writers Build a Robust Vocabulary
  • Brenda Harrell, Bratt Elementary – Picture a Word
  • John Herber, Oakcrest Elementary – The Little Planet that Could
  • Janet K. Johnson, Pine Forest High – Promoting STEM and Social Studies Literacy
  • Maurine Kramerich, PATS Center – Historical Sculptures and Monuments
  • Michelle Leitner, Semmes Elementary – Learning Literacy through Listening Centers
  • Peter N. Lupton, Pine Forest High – Getting to Know the World Around Us
  • Matthew MacGregor, Escambia High – Citizen Science
  • Melissa G. Marsh, Pensacola High – ELL Literacy Project
  • Sarah Mason, Blue Angels Elementary – Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye
  • Kevin McAuliffe, Pine Forest High – A Story with A Different Voice
  • Vicki Murphy, Oakcrest Elementary – English Language Learning Going Digital
  • Jean Odom, Cook Elementary – Sesame Street Puppeteers Set the Stage
  • Nancy O’Neal, Ransom Middle – LEAP into Science
  • Karen Potter, Ransom Middle – Practice Makes Better Readers
  • Catherine Rudd, Scenic Heights Elementary 3– Literacy through Comic Books
  • Caitlin Salak, Beulah Elementary – STEM Challenges for 5th Grade
  • Mary Samaras, Cordova Park Elementary – All Dressed Up and So Much to Learn
  • Anita Schmidt, Lipscomb Elementary – Student Advocacy: Protecting Shore Birds
  • Lorri Seibert, Ransom Middle – Tools of Engagement
  • Jane Smith, Longleaf Elementary – Providing Anywhere, Anytime Learning
  • Cindy Speed, Weis Elementary – Students for STEM
  • Melissa Thompson, Scenic Heights – Interactive Science Notebooks
  • Chet Truett, Ransom Middle – Reporting to You LIVE!
  • Shawn P. Walker, West Florida High – Oh Brother, Give Me Color
  • Roberta D. Wetzel, Bailey Middle –1 Let’s Explore Courage in Life and Literature

The projects funded this fall will directly impact a total of 11,237 students and 220 teachers this school year alone, organizers said.  Many of the classroom materials, software, and other items purchased with Grants for Excellence funds will continue to be used for years to come.

Comments

3 Responses to “Local Teachers Share $64K In Education Grants”

  1. No Excuses on October 21st, 2014 6:48 pm

    I worked in Escambia schools for a number of years before taking employment where I work now. I was always getting grants for this or that to assist my students and to make learning more enjoyable for them. The Junior League, JTPA grants, Coca Cola, etc. etc. Whoever got my classes and classroom after me got a dream situation because of the grants. We do what we can with what we get then look for ways to supplement the classroom funds. It does make a difference and I am glad that teachers are taking advantage of what is being offered.

  2. BILL on October 21st, 2014 12:24 pm

    Education is what you make it. I went through Escambia schools Berrineau Park, Ransom and Tate) system and guess what, I turned out pretty dang good. As a parent I find myself immersed in my 2 kids school /home work. If you think it’s the school’s job to do everything for your child during the school day your sadly mistaken. Get involved with your kids school and make the experience a great one for them instead of complaining the county or the state doesn’t do enough for us. That type attitude is why our kids are not getting the education they need. Put down your iPhone or tablet and do math or reading homework with your kids, you’d be amazed at the results you would see.

  3. Jane on October 21st, 2014 3:46 am

    I feel sad that the children, who deserve a better education and a good start in Life, need grants to get a good education. The County Commissioners squander so much money on other pet projects and do little to help the schools.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News