View the Applicants

Teacher's name:
Kelsey Abernathy

Grade taught:
8th grade Math

Item or project title:
Classroom Set of Scientific Calculators

Brief description of project:
I would love for every student in my class to have access to a scientific calculator during class to help with simple as well as complex math problems and give the students confidence in math class! 

Teacher's name:
Beverly Helm

Grade taught:
6

Item or project title:
Driving Through the Decades

Brief description of project:
Students will be able to travel through the decades while viewing vintage automobiles. 700+ students will research the time periods of the automobiles as well as the specific automobile, dress in period clothing and understand how technology has affected society. This is a lifetime experience and an opportunity to excite our youth to learn and enjoy the love for cars of the past and present. Please join us and share in this learning opportunity to showcase your automobile and share your knowledge with the students at Drake.

Teacher's name:
Cassie Carpenter

Grade taught:
3

Item or project title:
Carpenter Bees Buzzing Books

Brief description of project:
I am moving grades from fifth to third grade, and I want to purchase books for my classroom library that fit the reading level of my students for next school year. I am looking to purchase graphic novels, chapter books, picture books, and nonfiction books for my library. As well, I would like to purchase book bins to help organize the collections.

Teacher's name:
Allison Etheredge

Grade taught:
6th grade Math

Item or project title:
Operation

Brief description of project:
Students would assume the role of a surgeon and perform surgery on various math equations to help them recover the answer. I would need scrubs, masks, bandaids, tablecloths, etc. I did two classroom transformations (RoadKill Cafe and Glow What You Know) this year and during those lessons all of my students were completely engaged in the lesson and they also made real world connections. Classroom transformations are expensive so this grant would be so helpful in offsetting the personal expense. I could also use any additional money from the grant to buy other classroom transformation items. 

Teacher's name:
Paige Westerheid

Grade taught:
1st

Item or project title:
Drying Rack, Flexible Seating

Brief description of project:
I would love to purchase a drying rack for my classroom for art projects and painting projects we complete throughout the year. I would also love to get some more flexible seating cushions and items for my students to use. They love the few things I have now such as lap desks and scoop rockers. 

Teacher's name:
Laura Rubin

Grade taught:
5th Grade Math

Item or project title:
360 Math Classroom

Brief description of project:
I want to create a 360 Math Classroom where each student has a large (20 x 30 in) magnetic marker board mounted on the wall with attached magnetic expo marker & eraser to use while learning math skills. Students need a chance to move, practice with close attention from the teacher and peer tutors, make sense of problems, and attend to precision. Students actively move to all four walls to participate while the teacher stands in the middle and is able to see the learning as it happens. Student misconceptions can be seen and feedback given immediately. Students naturally grow social networks helping one another grow as learners. 

Teacher's name:
Morgan Williams 
Grade taught:
Kindergarten
Item or project title:
Classroom Center 
Brief description of project:
I would love to enlarge my classroom library, purchase paint supplies for my art center, quality kitchen center items and doll house items that will last. I would also like to purchase more wobble chairs and other flexible seating choices that would benefit young learners. 

Teacher's name:
Preston Henry 

Grade taught:
First 

Item or project title:
Flexible Seating 

Brief description of project:
First graders need lots of flexibility and choice! I also believe it is not a best practice to expect young students to sit still all day in a traditional type chair. Flexible seating allows students who struggle with sitting still to have just a little bit of movement while working, and also promotes engagement. When students walk into the classroom on the first day of school and see a room with flexible seating options their eyes light up with excitement and wonder. Students are able to practice choosing a seat that works best for them, while learning how to listen and work in different ways. 

Teacher's name:
Courtney McFaull

Grade taught:
K-2

Item or project title:
Osmo Devices for Coding Tiger Cubs

Brief description of project:
I teach K- 2 Computer Lab classes and I'm dedicated to exposing students to a wide variety of activities that meet diverse needs, and the "Osmo Coding Kit" is just the tool to meet those needs. While exploring these hands-on kits my students will increase their skills in problem-solving, math, science, art, geography, reading, listening, logic, coding, and computer programing. The Osmo observes and responds to each child’s real-life movements. This is sure to capture each learner’s attention and create a love of learning. These kits will provide a balanced approach to their digital learning in AEEC's Computer Lab. 

Teacher's name:
Carrie Jarrell

Grade taught:
4th

Item or project title:
Eating with the Governors: Learning How to Write a Business Letter

Brief description of project:
Family recipes are an important and special tradition that is often passed down through many generations. Have you ever wondered what the Governor's favorite recipe is? What about the governors from other states? My 4th grade enrichment classes will participate in a business letter writing activity where they will write letters to the governors of each state and ask them to share their favorite recipe. Then, we will compile them to create a cook book. If we are awarded the grant money, it will go towards publishing the cook book to share with others.

Teacher's name:
Melissa Kroeger

Grade taught:
3

Item or project title:
Standing desk with footrest bar

Brief description of project:
Please consider a grant to fund a standing desk for my students to utilize! I put thoughtful consideration into offering various workspaces and flexible seating for my students. I would be thrilled to offer this desk as another option for my bodily kinesthetic learners. A standing desk provides a workspace that allows for movement, therefore working toward meeting the needs of students. If this grant was funded, I could purchase two desks and share the other with another classroom! Thank you for your time and thoughtful offer to support students and their learning!

Teacher's name:
Jan Burkhalter

Grade taught:
3-5

Item or project title:
Out of this World

Brief description of project:
Space is fascinating-not only are the facts interesting to learn about, but learning about space allows us a lot of room to dream. Dreaming and using imagination have a definite place in our classrooms, and this unit will allow for plenty of that! Students will have the opportunity to research different aspects of our solar system and will be able to create replicas of the components. Additionally, students will take what they have learned about real planets to create their own planetary worlds. This unit will combine research, writing, art, and presentation to encourage learning.

Teacher's name:
Jessie Matthews

Grade taught:
3-5 grades

Item or project title:
3D Doodler Pens for Creativity

Brief description of project:
3D Doodler Pens will be utilized within the classroom to extend our student project's creativity component and thinking skills. 3D pens give physical form to student imagination, providing the opportunity to develop and hone problem-solving skills, cognitive skills, conceptualization skills, and fine motor skills. Students will literally have the ability to lift ideas off the page. The ability to design multidimensional prototypes, fabricate game pieces, and fix or create supports for items that are missing or have broken pieces would become an integral component of the classroom dynamic. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Teacher's name:
Brittany Bryant

Grade taught:
5

Item or project title:
Flexible Seating 

Brief description of project:
I believe in active engagement and allowing students opportunities for breaks and the ability to move around the classroom. I know how hard it is for me to sit still when I have a meeting. I usually tell people I have about 10-15 minutes of undivided focus and then I’ve checked out. I can imagine what it is like for students. That is why I create several plans for students to talk, use their bodies, and/or move around while learning. I have purchased a few therapy balls and stools; however, they are not as sturdy as I’d like them to be. Also, I only have a few. I would love to have more flexible seating for my students and more options. 

Teacher's name:
Amanda Brand

Grade taught:
6th grade Science

Item or project title:
Space Plants - Hydroponics

Brief description of project:
Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil. Aggregate substrate, or growing media, such as vermiculite, coconut coir, or perlite can be used. The ISS has had a greenhouse where plants of all varieties are grown using hydroponics. I want to bring this to my 6th grade classroom where I teach Earth and Space science. During the half of the year when we study space I want to introduce the students to hydroponics by growing vegetables and plants in our classroom. I would purchase a hydroponic growing system, plants, materials, and a guide. Thank you for your consideration. 

Teacher's name:
Angie Jarrell

Grade taught:
k-2 Reading Intervention

Item or project title:
Hands on Literacy

Brief description of project:
My students are kindergarten through 2nd graders who have deficits in reading and need intensive multi-sensory reading intervention. During intervention we use dry erase markers and white boards to practice the spelling skills and we need a dry erase table ($435) and sensory reading supplies including 6 sets of magnetic letters ($120), and alphabet pop-its ($55). The total is $610 to complete our classroom and give our students a level playing field as their peers who read on grade level. 

Teacher's name:
Adrianna Padgett

Grade taught:
9

Item or project title:
Collaboration Station

Brief description of project:
I would like to create a collaboration station that's is a table with a computer monitor for my students to collaborate on projects in our ELA course. 

Teacher's name:
Brenna Zartman

Grade taught:
9-12

Item or project title:
Building a Math Foundation for English Language Learners

Brief description of project:
I teach ESL, English as a Second Language, at Opelika High School and the subject my students ask me for help with the MOST is math. Because many of our EL students have limited and interrupted formal schooling, they lack the automaticity and visualization skills of their peers. As such, I plan to incorporate 'math weeks', week-long math units where we focus on skills like addition/subtraction, multiplication/division, fractions, simple word problems, math vocabulary, and calculator skills through the use of manipulatives, real-world projects, and simplified language. This grant would fund the purchase of those resources and manipulatives.
 

Teacher's name:
Emily Carlson 

Grade taught:
6th

Item or project title:
For the Kids 

Brief description of project:
I’m a first year teacher currently at Opelika Middle School. I graduated Auburn University in December 2022, and took the job 3 days later. As a new teacher, I came with very little and anything I bought for my kids/classroom came out of my already empty pocket. I’ve spent the most money on books for my classroom library and on my “backup box” which includes emergency items for the kids. (Deodorant, tampons, pads, lotion, hair ties, snacks, etc) I would love to be considered so I can put money towards books and emergency items for my students! 

Teacher's name:
Dimple Patel

Grade taught:
9-12

Item or project title:
Flexible Seating for Special Education Students

Brief description of project:
I would like to offer students different seating options. Given that each student has different needs and could benefit from having flexible seating in order to reach their maximum potential. 

Teacher's name:
Latavia Sparks

Grade taught:
9-12

Item or project title:
Flexible seating

Brief description of project:
I am a special education teacher and nothing I do is traditional. My students take timed journaling breaks and we sometimes listen to music during class. I would love to have various types of seating to match students the needs of my students. I teach resource/study skills classes, so I would love for my classroom to match my student’s most comfortable study environment at home.

Teacher's name:
Hannah Stump

Grade taught:
5

Item or project title:
Listening Center

Brief description of project:
I teach in a 5th grade inclusion classroom that also serves students classified as gifted. In order to extend enriching opportunities to the diverse learners in my room, I would like to purchase mp3 players, headphones, physical books, and audiobooks to provide a listening center. Several of my students are primarily audio learners so the use of a listening center would increase their vocabulary, reading comprehension, and expose them to new books they may not choose otherwise.

Teacher's name:
Tiasha Sam Fuller

Grade taught:
5-8

Item or project title:
Get Gaga for PE!!

Brief description of project:
We would like to have at least 2 Gaga ball courts put at our school for our kids to use. This game is a fun & different game that kids enjoying playing. 

Teacher's name:
Christie Smith

Grade taught:
1st

Item or project title:
Read for Success!

Brief description of project:
I would like to purchase more books for my classroom library. Having a large selection of books for my library will give me the opportunity to allow my students plenty of practice phonics and comprehension skills they are learning in my first grade classroom. The more students get the opportunity to practice reading, the more confident they get and the more successful they become.

Teacher's name:
Amy Skoglund

Grade taught:
3rd

Item or project title:
Curl Up With a Good Book

Brief description of project:
In today's digital age, my students are all into technology and I feel they have "lost" the love of reading. With this grant, I want to make my 3rd grade classroom library a fun and inviting space where my students can find that love of reading again. I plan to purchase bean bags and conmfortable seating. I would also love to fill my library with engaging chapter book sets that I know my students will love! I am moving from a 1st grade class where I mainly have picture books and I greatly need higher books to keep my students engaged. I would appreciate being considered for this grant!