Leaders Education Foundation Awards $35,550 in Grants to Educators

Leaders Education Foundation has distributed $35,550 in grants through its L.E.A.D.S. Grants program to 42 educators across West Tennessee schools, WBBJ reported.

Classroom, Professional Development, and Appreciation Funding

The funding encompasses three specific categories designed to support teachers in different phases of their careers and classroom environments. Classroom grants, teacher appreciation grants, and professional development and certification grants make up the total distribution. Foundation President Leigh Anne Bentley emphasized the rationale behind the initiative.

Educators in West Tennessee receive $35,550 in grants from Leaders Education Foundation pic.twitter.com/u2Km5D94WH

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Educators play a vital role in shaping future generations.

Leigh Anne Bentley said, adding that the grants help remove barriers for teachers whether they are creating hands-on learning experiences, celebrating colleagues, or advancing their education.

The L.E.A.D.S. Grants reception took place at Union University’s Ethos Forum, where checks were presented to the 42 recipients. For the classroom grants, educators submitted videos detailing their proposed projects. These videos were then put to a public vote on the Leaders Education Foundation Facebook page, generating engagement that reached over 150,000 people and secured more than 17,500 total interactions.

Teacher appreciation grants were awarded at $500 each, allowing recipients to fund celebration days, purchase classroom supplies, or acquire other materials. Professional development and certification grants provided $1,000 each for educators seeking further education.

Grant Recipients Across West Tennessee

The 42 recipients span multiple districts and schools throughout the region.

Recipients of the L.E.A.D.S. Classroom Grants include Chantel Barnes of North Side High School, Hannah Bogue of East Elementary School, Sharrell Bray of Denmark Elementary School, Hannah Butler of Trenton Rosenwald Middle School, Becky Clark of Alamo City School, Sharon Clark of Sunny Hill Intermediate School, Karen Danter of Thelma Barker Elementary, Samantha Ellis of South Gibson County Elementary School, Leah Gray of Freed-Hardeman University, Amy Groves of Jackson Christian School, Sandy Hodges of Peabody High School, Whitney Hogg of Rose Hill School, Samantha Hutcherson of Ripley Elementary School, Jamaica Kirby of Haywood Elementary School, Susan Lankford of Freed-Hardeman University, Claire Layman of South Gibson County Elementary School, Brittany Lewis of East Chester Elementary School, Shanice Martin of Jackson Career & Technology School, Jasmin Parks of Denmark Elementary School, Shereka Phinnessee of Parkview Prep Academy, Jeffrey Sartain of Bolivar Central High School, Wendy Tate of Stigall Primary School, Denise Tucker of Arlington Elementary School, Angela Walden of Thelma Barker Elementary, and Angela Yopp of Jackson Central Merry Middle High School.

Recipients of the L.E.A.D.S. Teacher Appreciation Grants include Adrian Anderson of Libertas School of Memphis, Chontel Bridgeman of North Parkway Middle School, Vicki Crossno of Huntingdon Primary School, Brittanie Doaks of Northeast Middle School, Angelia Haltom of Chester County High School, DeShadrian Henson of Rose Hill School, Dr. Jody Hinson of Rutherford School, Jeanna Rice of Thelma Barker Elementary School, Debbie Sheehan of Stigall Primary School, and Xavier Taylor of Liberty Tech High School.

Recipients of the L.E.A.D.S. Professional Development/Certification Grants include Laura Carter of Trenton Elementary School, Matthew Davis of Collegiate School of Memphis, Nathan Ganucheau of Middleton High School, Jessica Lawson of Trenton Elementary School, A’Laseyunna Ragland of Halls Elementary School, Janet Sweeney of South Elementary School, and Joy Whetstone of Jackson Academic Steam Academy.

The application period for L.E.A.D.S. Grants opens in July. To apply, visit leadersgives.org/grants.