Jasper County Educators Earn Grant Funds
Tri-County EMC recently surprised 24 teachers in Baldwin, Jasper, Jones and Putnam Counties with educational grants totaling $30,000.
Jasper County had three teachers—Tyson Harty, Amanda Jenkins, and Laura Rolader— awarded grants for their respective projects.
Tyson Harty, (top photo) is pictured with members from his Jasper County High School film class including Tyler Banks, Kerriann Smith, Lisbeth Espinosa-Garcia, Lorilei Fowler, Duke Smith, Tyson Harty, and Karlee Cantrell.
Dr. Harty was awarded $1,500 for his Jasper County High School Building and Audio Video Studio proposal. The goal of this project is to enhance the growing AV/filmmaking program at the high school with the purchase of new and upgraded equipment. This will allow students to be more competitive in national film contests and festivals.
Mrs. Rolader, a Jasper County Middle School teacher, was awarded $874.81 for her Project Wet proposal. The purchase of a ground water table will allow students to engage in learning opportunities related to erosion, new landforms and water cycles.
Mrs. Jenkins of Jasper County Primary School was awarded $1,241.60 for her project “Good Things are Croppin’ Up.” The goal of this project is to create a student-centered farm which will allow students to observe and participate in the preparation of the soil to the harvesting of the crops. The farm will be used to support students in STEM-based learning, community outreach and a healthy lifestyle.
Tri-County EMC has provided more than $300,000 in grants to local schools. Funded by unclaimed capital credits, the grants help teachers improve education in their classrooms through innovative projects that would otherwise not be funded. Georgia certified public or private school teachers in grades Pre-K through 12 in Baldwin, Jones, Putnam, Jasper, Twiggs and Wilkinson counties qualify to apply.
Since 2008, This year, outside judges evaluated the 67 blind applications that were submitted for innovation, goals, objectives, student involvement and budget.