Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation board members who were present with a big check at an grant awards ceremony at Oak Ridge High School on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. (Photo courtesy ORPSEF)
In the final year of its “Making the Critical Difference” campaign, the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation awarded more than $90,000 in grants to Oak Ridge teachers. The grants were awarded during a ceremony at Oak Ridge High School on Wednesday, April 26.
Shirley Raines, president emeritus of the University of Memphis, was the featured speaker. Her talk was titled “Dreamers, Thinkers, Doers.” During her talk, Raines exhibited great appreciation and provided inspiration for teachers, a press release said.
“She asked teachers to think of the person who moved them to pursue their dreams, to be innovative thinkers, and to share their success stories which result from their grant awards in order to encourage their peers,” the release said.
The April 26 ceremony was open to the public with demonstrations of some of the projects and technology funded by the Foundation on display.
The 2017 grant recipients were:
- Glenwood Elementary—Amelia Bell and Lauren Blair
- Willow Brook Elementary—Lisa Meidl
- Woodland Elementary—Felecia Sharp
- Jefferson Middle School—Josh Bibbs, Emily Haverkamp, Heather Henderlight, and Callie Painter
- Robertsville Middle School—Cathy Ginel, Melissa Jeter, Jackie Laney, Leigh Monger, Todd Livesay, Mardee Miller, and David Scott
- Oak Ridge High School: Lisa Buckner, Chris Scott, Kayla Gass, Deanna Pickle, Stephanie Thompson, Caramia Milloway, Doug Phillips, Sharon Thomas, and Elaine Vaughan
The Grants Program is a key component of the Foundation’s mission to support the highest quality education for all students, the press release said.
“The grants focus on empowering teachers with the tools to teach,” said Cathy Toth, chair of the Grants Committee. “By putting resources directly into the classroom, the grants enrich the learning environment and help create the conditions where inspiration, curiosity, and learning are natural outcomes. Thanks to the support of the Oak Ridge community, we have been able to fund excellent projects in every school in Oak Ridge since the beginning of the program in 2005.”
Including this year’s grants, the Education Foundation has awarded more than $900,000 in total grant funding. The Foundation’s Board is committed to continue an annual grants campaign, with a $100,000 goal in mind for 2018 Grant Awards.
For more information about the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation or to make a donation, contact Jessica Steed at (865) 241-3667 or [email protected] or through the website at http://www.orpsef.org/.
Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation Executive Director Jessica Steed awards a grant to teacher Lisa Buckner. (Photo courtesy ORPSEF)
Shirley Raines, the featured speaker, delivers her talk during a grant awards ceremony by the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation at Oak Ridge High School on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. (Photo courtesy ORPSEF)
More information will be added as it becomes available.
This press release and photos were submitted by Jessica Steed.
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