These grants will assist teachers as they continue to lead, innovate, and serve in the classroom and community. A total of $16,473.72 was granted based on the advice of the fund’s Advisory Committee.
The 2019 recipients will be working on a variety of projects.
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Tharrington Primary School students will be receiving Kindles and a Lego wall thanks to Melissa Simmons and Katie LeVan.
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Jones Intermediate School students will be enjoying a school garden in addition to iPads and audiobooks thanks to Juan Diaz, Gina Tompkins, and Ginnie Deaton.
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Mount Airy Middle School students will be learning with Kindles, kits for science, books to create interactive presentations around vocational and social justice issues, a digital piano, and a student business enterprise program thanks to Deborah Welborn, Alex Tedder, Heather Stafford, Jennifer Riska, and Olivia Sikes. Career Development Coordinator Kasey Martin will also be attending a seminar provided by NC Association for Career and Technical Education.
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Mount Airy High School’s Sara Mayes will be creating a wire-free classroom for her exceptional children’s classroom.
Director of Innovative Programming and Grants Penny Willard notes, “We appreciate the Zach Smith Fund for providing the annual opportunity for our educators to advocate for their classrooms, our students, and our district. The ability to write their own innovative grants empowers them to continue doing great things for our kids and they deserve the best!”
The Zach Smith Fund was created in 2009 with gifts made in memory of Zach Smith from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, and his family and friends. This particular grant gives funding annually to educators and/or administrators in Mount Airy.