Leaders Credit Union, member-owned financial cooperative based in Jackson, is pleased to award eleven West Tennessee educators with the L.E.A.D.S. Educator Grant.
According to a press release, this program awards eleven $1,000 grants to area educators whose initiatives empower students to Learn, Experience, Advocate, Dream, and Serve.
“The L.E.A.D.S. Educator Grant embodies who we are as an organization because we are here to serve, advocate and educate our members and allow them to dream of a new future,” said Todd Swims, President and CEO of Leaders Credit Union. “We were started by Jackson educators, so we are honored to be able to give back to those educators in a meaningful, intentional way.”
Grant proposals range from funds for a school greenhouse and food pantry, improvements to a special education classroom, band program equipment, a volunteer basketball program, to funding for a school broadcasting project. Grant submissions included a short video explaining the need and use of the grant money. Twenty-three proposals were submitted, and the top ten winners were chosen by the community via social media voting. L.E.A.D.S. Grant submissions videos were viewed over 112,000 times during the voting period. Winners include:
· Todd Lewis, Chester County Jr. High School
Grant Project: Eagle Vision Network
· Jessica Barker, Bartlett Ninth Grade Academy
Grant Project: Spanish Classroom Library
· Paige Melville, Trenton Elementary School
Grant Project: Trenton PRIDE Afterschool Basketball Program
· Cara Chadwick, Carroll County Technical Center
Grant Project: New Greenhouse Supplies/Materials
· Amy West, Jackson State Community College Representatives
Grant Project: N.E.S.T. Food Pantry- Nourish
· Kiley Doyle, Maury City Elementary
Grant Project: STEM & Enrichment Materials
· Pattie White, Caywood Elementary School (Lexington)
Grant Project: Calm Room
· Joyce Champion, Transition Academy (JMCSS)
Grant Project: Dream Big Enterprise
· Michael Nelson, West Carroll Jr./Sr. High School
Grant Project: Quality Musician Stands for Band
· Leigh Anne Newton, Trenton Elementary School
Grant Project: Pre-K Special Education Resources
In addition to the ten $1,000 grants awarded, Leaders also awarded Linda Lane of Madison Academic School in Jackson, the Leaders’ Choice Award of $1,000 due to their outstanding student video execution. Ms. Lane’s students will use the grant to visit the Civil Rights Museum and Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum in Memphis.
“We’ve been amazed with each grant submission we received,” Swims said. “Success is in the power of people helping people, and we plan to continue to lead the way.”
(PHOTO: Leaders Credit Union awards 11 West Tennessee educators with the L.E.A.D.S. Educator Grant, Thursday)
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
https://www.facebook.com/NewsTalk1015/
