JACKSON, Tennessee – Leaders Education Foundation, a non-profit 501C-3 formed by Leaders Credit Union, is pleased to award twenty West Tennessee educators with the L.E.A.D.S. Educator Grant.
This program awards twenty $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 encourage our teachers and allow them to dream of a new future,” said Leigh
Anne Bentley, President of Leaders Education Foundation. “We know that by supporting these school projects, students’ lives will be better.”
Grant proposals range from funds for new literature novels, a classroom economy project, maintaining outdoor classrooms and gardens, and supplying CPR equipment. Grant submissions included a short video explaining the need and use of the grant money.
Thirty-six proposals were submitted, and the top twenty winners were chosen by the community via social media voting.
“Well first I’d like to say that I’m truly humbled to have received this grant from the Leaders Education Foundation,” said Dr. Callie Dollar, teacher at Community Montessori and third year L.E.A.D.S. Grant recipient. “It means so much to us because we’re able to do things for our children that would typically be outside of our budget limitations and honestly brings things into the classroom that we don’t have the funding for.”
Recipients of the L.E.A.D.S. Grant include:
• Matt Barker – Freed-Hardeman University
• Erin Ozment – Bartlett High School
• Brittany Lewis – East Chester Elementary School
• Sara Billingsly – Madison Academic Magnet High School
• Tekia Buntyn – Jackson Central-Merry Middle School
• Nicoll Burleson – Augustine School
• Kelly Rea – Hillcrest Elementary School
• Missi Hardin – Community Montessori School
• Cindy Emison – Arlington Elementary School
• Dr. Callie Dollar – Community Montessori School
• Kristen Roberson – Freed-Hardeman University
• Dr. Penny White – Bartlett High School
• Rhonda Grammar – Elmore Park Middle School
• Dr. Callandra Ellison -Williamson-Lincoln Elementary School
• Julie Cartwright – Stigall Primary School
• Charo Lovings – Isaac Lane Elementary School
• Marcie Autry – Community Montessori School
• Lindsey Barnes – Community Montessori School
• Dr. Georg Pingen – Union University
• Cassandra Nichols – Rivercrest Elementary School
“We’ve been amazed by each grant submission we received,” Bentley said. “We want to support
the teacher and their creativity because that’s our passion.”
Community members are able to join the Leaders Education Foundation through a one-time
membership fee of $10. The Foundation works to provide teacher grants, collegiate scholarships,
and workforce development resources throughout West Tennessee.
To become a member or join as a sponsor of the Foundation, visit leadersgives.org.
About Leaders Education Foundation
Leaders Education Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 organization serving West Tennessee.
Established in 2019, the Foundation allows community-minded citizens, members, and organizations to unite to make lives better, together. The Foundation invests in the local community through scholarships, grants, and financial literacy resources to provide educational opportunities promoting workforce development, job enhancement, lifelong learning, and training for students, teachers, and our community. For more information about the Leaders Education Foundation, please visit their website.
(PHOTO: Leaders Credit Union awarded 20 West Tennessee educators with the L.E.A.D.S. Educator Grant – courtesy Mary Helen English – Leaders Education Foundation)
