Newton Citizen

Covington — COVINGTON — The Newton Education Foundation recently awarded three teachers with $6,000 in grants.

Newton County Theme School’s Steven Joyce, Challenge Charter Academy’s Rhonda Rodgers and the Newton College & Career Academy’s Angela Cooper were awarded up to $2,000 each in grants for special classroom projects as part of the Winter 2012 Classroom Grant competition through the foundation.

“The committee was most impressed with the quality of the grant applications that were submitted for our consideration,” said Huanne Brown, grant sub-committee member for the foundation. “This was a difficult decision, but we are pleased to assist these selected teachers in providing innovative projects and programs for the students in their classrooms.”

Foundation member Shannon Davis reported to the Newton County Board of Education that 20 applications were received for the competition, and three were chosen as winners.

“We’re so proud to honor these teachers,” she said. “We look for things that increase teacher effectiveness, increase student achievement and engagement, that are innovative, cross-curriculum projects and that are experiential/hands-on.”

Joyce’s project is called “What does STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) have to do with physical education? Simple Machines!;” Rodgers’ project is “Digitally Speaking;” and Cooper’s project is “Bones are Worth 1,000 Words.”

In the spring, the foundation will hold a reception to honor the teachers and display their projects.

Any Newton County School System teacher may apply for the grants, which can be used to pay for a wide variety of innovative instructional projects and materials.

The Newton Education Foundation is a local, independent, nonprofit 501(c) (3) corporation founded in 2009 to support public education in Newton County. It raises private dollars for public education.

Anyone can make tax deductible donations at any time. They may be mailed to the Newton Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1586, Covington, Georgia 30015.

More information is available at www.reimaginenewton.org.