The Pauls Valley Foundation for Academic Excellence (PVFAE) awarded more than $25,450 in grants to certified teachers across the Pauls Valley and Whitebead school districts last week as part of its annual “Grants for Teachers” program.
PVFAE awarded a total of 51 grants to 43 teachers across the two districts, including three at Whitebead, nine at Pauls Valley Elementary School, 11 at Pauls Valley Intermediate School, 16 at Pauls Valley Junior High and four at Pauls Valley High School. The grants will fund specific projects or materials for classroom use and are awarded based, in part, on specific initiatives that use creative or innovative approaches to teaching.
This year’s grant awards represent the largest dollar amount and the largest number of grants the Foundation has awarded since its inception in 1990.
“This is what we hoped for when we began this journey,” said Dan Barney, a founding donor.
When considering grant applications, PVFAE members look for projects that teach something or offer a new experience to children that will spark enthusiasm, be memorable and bring new experiences into their lives they would otherwise not have.
The Barney Family Grant, the top scoring grant, was awarded this year to Melinda Alfred, librarian at Pauls Valley’s High School and Junior High School, for her grant project “BRACKETOLOGY.”
Alfred said the project will feature a competition between selected books.
“Each book will compete against each other. There will be a bracket and books will advance and one book will win the ‘National Champion of Pauls Valley Junior High.’ The kids will read them and vote, and it should be a lot of fun,” Alfred said, adding she is already taking suggestions from students for the books they would like to see compete. The grant will allow her to have enough copies of the books on hand for students to read.
“I’m thrilled to get it. I always say, grant receiving day is the best day,” Alfred said.
The Pauls Valley National Bank Grant, also a founding donor grant, was awarded to Whitebead teacher Erica Shippey for her project “All Aboard the Polar Express: Take Two.”
Another founding donor grant was presented by the Colley family to Whitebead teacher Rebecca Miller for her grant project, “Air Mills Tree Farm.”
In addition to Miller and Shippey, Whitebead teacher Susan Capers also received a grant award this year.
Pauls Valley Elementary School teachers who received grants are Charlotte Apel, Rylee Chapman, Alaina Chronister, Katy Ferguson, Rachel Huggans, Carley Kimbro, Katy Sparks, Vicki Schmidt and Rhea Ann Williamson.
Pauls Valley Intermediate School teachers awarded grants are Julie Carter, Alaina Chronister, Heather Clune, Shannon Coates, Amy Watson, Miriam Ibarra, Cheryl Johnson, Kacy Manning, Kristine Porter, Andrea Raper and Cyndi Ring.
Pauls Valley Junior High teachers who received grants were Melinda Alfred, Wakely Bergner, Robyn Davidson, Courtney Green, Dana Harden, Heather Leverett, Greg Manning, Jake Mitzner, Tonya Tobey, Gunnar Long, Molly Long, Shawna McLellan, Kelly Miller, Tami Wilkins, Chelsey Schroeder and Jonathan Wheeler.
Pauls Valley High School teachers receiving grants were Marnie Crawford, Nancy McGee, Nolan Pullen and Bailey Stufflebean.
