LCCF Awards over $9,900 in 2025 Classroom Grants

The Lawrence County Community Foundation Board of Directors awarded over $9,900 to thirty-four Lawrence County teachers through the 2025 LCCF Classroom Grant Cycle.

The Classroom Grant program is designed to fund small, in-class projects that might not have a typical funding source. The goal is to help teachers provide additional educational projects that reinforce curriculum in a creative and innovative way that stimulates student learning. These activities should inspire students to go home and say, “Today in school we . . .”

“This year's Classroom Grant Program saw a host of different projects that teachers designed to emphasize what they are teaching and engross their students,” shared Jennifer Pace, CFP Grants Manager.  “It is a fun and rewarding experience getting to share in the teachers’ excitement for their projects and their appreciation for the classroom grant that enabled them to bring their projects to fruition.”

If you would like to help support our teachers through the classroom grant program, please contact Hope Flores at (812) 279-2215 or hope@cfpartner.org to learn how you can contribute to the endowment for Classroom Grants.

The Lawrence County Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, accepts and manages individual and business contributions made to permanent endowments, including the Great Grants Fund for K-12 education grants, LCCF Education Fund, and the Paris P. and Lottie (Collins) Porter Education Fund, which help fund the annual Classroom Grants. LCCF uses the income earned by these endowments to improve the quality of life in Lawrence County for this generation and generations to come. Enhancing educational opportunities is a natural fit for this goal.

Grant recipients and project names:

North Lawrence Community Schools:

• Elizabeth Butterfield, Armpit Fudge

• Michelle Chastain, STEAM-a-Palooza

• Molly Embree, Grandparent Game Day Connection

• Melissa Epping, Growing at Gateway

• Beth Felts, Eggciting Adventures

• Kirsten Gore, Hands on Habitats

• Tracy Hawkins, Art in the Classroom

• Jamie Hooten, Third Grade Glow Day

• Karyn Key, Language Development and Storytelling

• Joachim Ladwig, A Mile High in the Indiana Sky!

• Catherine Laydon, Herb Growing Kit

• Nick Laydon, Analyzing DNA

• Errin Layer, Holga Camera Project

• Michelle Luck, Silver Rings & Shiny Things!

• Helena Muehlbauer, Calming Sensory Spaces

• Amanda Nixon, Deeper Insight

• Darin Powell, Pneumatic Power

• Matthew Ray, Personality Masks

• Alicia Smith, STEM Center

• Sean Steele, Geode Tie Dye Project

• Jamie Willis, Game On: Coding Fun

Mitchell Community Schools:

• Chey-Ann Clouse, Glow in the Dark Art Show

• Maggie Hamilton, Storybook STEAM

• Jo Anne Heinz, Enhancing Civic & Economic Education

• Kirsten Martin, Cooking for Independence

• Rebecca Mason, Pin Loom Weaving

• Amanda Ochs, Reading Rockstars!

• Matt Sowders, Brain Breaks

• Shannon Thomas, Hands On!

• Melissa Whaley, Every Word Heard!

Lawrence County Independent Schools:

• Gregory Baugh, Please Don’t “Shelve this Project”

Springville Community Academy:

• Emily Brunk, STEAM Expansion

Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School:

• Melissa Banks, The Psychology of Color

• Anne Marie West, Healthy Eating Habits

MCCF Awards Over $7,700 in 2025 Classroom Grants

The Martin County Community Foundation Board of Directors awarded over $7,700 to nineteen Martin County teachers through the 2025 MCCF Classroom Grant Cycle.

The Classroom Grant program is designed to fund small, in-class projects that might not have a typical funding source. The goal is to help teachers provide additional educational projects that reinforce curriculum in a creative and innovative way that stimulates student learning. These activities should inspire students to go home and say, “Today in school we . . .”

“This year's Classroom Grant Program saw a host of different projects that teachers designed to emphasize what they are teaching and engross their students,” shared Jennifer Pace, CFP Grants Manager.  “It is a fun and rewarding experience getting to share in the teachers’ excitement for their projects and their appreciation for the classroom grant that enabled them to bring their projects to fruition.”

If you would like to help support our teachers through the classroom grant program, please contact Curt Johnson at (812) 295-1022 or mccf@cfpartner.org.

The Martin County Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, accepts and manages individual and business contributions made to permanent endowments, including the MCCF Education Fund which helps fund the annual Classroom Grants. MCCF uses the income earned by these endowments to improve the quality of life in Martin County for this generation and generations to come. Enhancing educational opportunities is a natural fit for this goal.

Grant recipients and project names follow:

Loogootee Community Schools

• Marci Arthur, Storm Kit Project

• Matthew Birt, Lion Manufacturing

• Lindsay Burch, Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

• Sarah Knepp, Hands-On Math

• Seasonal Lawson, Reading Foundations

• Andrea Lindsey, Creative Paws: Building Bright Futures

• MaKaylee Long, Reading Resources

• Krista Truelove, Third Grade Café

• Katie Wagler, Play with Purpose!

• Tyler Walton, Water Rocket

 Shoals Community Schools

• Kari Goodman, Sense the Fun

• Aimee Harder, Fun in P.E.

• Ruby Harder, Butterfly and Blossom Project

• Melanie Hawkins, Free Build STEM

• Heidi Hoffman (Elementary), Step up to the Plate

• Heidi Hoffman (Middle School), Measuring Fitness

• Molley Parsley, Tiny Seeds, Big Dreams

• Cassie Phillips, Plant Propagation and Tissue Culture

• Sarah Sexton, CPR/First Aid/AED Certification

• Wesley Stephenson, More is Less

2024 Lawrence County Classroom Grant Awards

The Lawrence County Community Foundation Board of Directors awarded over $9,500 to thirty-one Lawrence County teachers through the 2024 LCCF Classroom Grant Cycle.

The Classroom Grant program is designed to fund small, in-class projects that might not have a typical funding source. The goal is to help teachers provide additional educational projects that reinforce curriculum in a creative and innovative way that stimulates student learning. These activities should inspire students to go home and say, “Today in school we . . .”

"Awarding the Classroom Grant checks was a joy.  We watched teachers explain to their classes what they would be purchasing with their checks; some students couldn't help but jump excitedly.  We received forty-eight applications for projects that ranged from gingerbread houses to birdhouses, preschool to high school.  I wish we would have had the funds to approve them all," said Lisa Starr, CFP Finance and Grants Officer.

If you would like to help support our teachers through the classroom grant program, please contact Hope Flores at (812) 279-2215 or hope@cfpartner.org to learn how you can contribute to the endowment for Classroom Grants.

The Lawrence County Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, accepts and manages individual and business contributions made to permanent endowments, including the Great Grants Fund for K-12 education grants, LCCF Education Fund, and the Paris P. and Lottie (Collins) Porter Education Fund, which help fund the annual Classroom Grants. LCCF uses the income earned by these endowments to improve the quality of life in Lawrence County for this generation and generations to come. Enhancing educational opportunities is a natural fit for this goal.

Grant recipients and project names:

North Lawrence Community Schools:

• Robin Blackwell, Happy Healthy Learning

• Rachel Boshears, Learning Comes Alive!

• Nicholas Boyd, Snatoms Molecular Modeling Kits

• Presley Clark, Sensory Learning

• April Colchin, Gingerbread Houses

• Kirsten Curtis, Flexibility

• Beth Felts, It Just Makes “Sense!”

• Danielle Fish, Fun with STEM

• Kirsten Gore, Learning and Success Through Music

• Nechole Hall, STEM Education

• BreOnna Harding, Sensible Sensory

• Bridget Jeskewich, Glow STEM Day

• Karyn Key, Social/Emotional Learning Through Play

• Traci Miller, Enhancing Fine Motor Skills

• Matthew Ray, Personality Masks

• Angela Sanders, Drop Everything and Read

• Alicia Smith, Fine Motor Busy Bins

• Naomi Trojan, 1, 2, 3D

 Mitchell Community Schools:

• Maggie Hamilton, Bringing the Colonies to Life!

• Jeffrey Johnson, Mitchell Greenhouse

• Drusilla Lindsey, Computer Science Bins

• Addyson Lotz, Burris Birdhouses

• Addyson Lotz, Hatfield Habitats

• Megan Mishler, Reading and Math Stations

• Mitch Reed, Making Our Vision Real

• Lindsey Seitzinger, How to Build a Better World

• Shannon Thomas, Literacy Awareness in Preschool

• Melissa Whaley, Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives

 Lawrence County Independent Schools:

• Samantha Cornett-Couch, Empowering Student Voices Through Podcasting

Springville Community Academy:

• Decker Pope, A Culinary Exploration of Mexico

• Carrie Rainey, Who Done It? Critical Thinking

Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church:

• Melissa Banks, The Glow Show

2024 Martin County Classroom Grant Awards

The Martin County Community Foundation Board of Directors awarded over $9,400 to twenty-five Martin County teachers through the 2024 MCCF Classroom Grant Cycle.

The Classroom Grant program is designed to fund small, in-class projects that might not have a typical funding source. The goal is to help teachers provide additional educational projects that reinforce curriculum in a creative and innovative way that stimulates student learning. These activities should inspire students to go home and say, “Today in school we . . .”

"Awarding the Classroom Grant is always a joy.  We watch teachers explain to their classes what they would be purchasing with their checks; some younger students can't help but jump excitedly.  We received twenty-nine applications for projects that ranged from building snowmen to welding, preschool to high school.  I wish we would have had the funds to approve them all," said Lisa Starr, CFP Finance and Grants Officer.

If you would like to help support our teachers through the classroom grant program, please contact Curt Johnson at (812) 295-1022 or mccf@cfpartner.org.

The Martin County Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, accepts and manages individual and business contributions made to permanent endowments, including the MCCF Education Fund which helps fund the annual Classroom Grants. MCCF uses the income earned by these endowments to improve the quality of life in Martin County for this generation and generations to come. Enhancing educational opportunities is a natural fit for this goal.

Grant recipients and project names follow:

Loogootee Community Schools

• Marci Arthur, Storm Kit Project

• Levi Atkins, Published Comic Books

• Lindsay Burch, Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

• Tara Lengacher, Secret Stories

• Ashley Roach, Flexible Fun

• Krista Truelove, Third Grade Cafe

• Shannon Wagler, LES Makerspace Refresh!

• Tyler Walton, Graphic Design

• Joel Weitkamp, Guitars on the Go

 Shoals Community Schools

• Ethan Adams, Welding Shop

• Alisha Bailey, SCS Drama Club

• Ashton Berry, Community Involvement

• Terra Boyd, Biology/Earth and Space Labs

• Chris Boylan, Putting Resources in the Resource Room

• Kari Goodman, Innovative Minds STEM Project

• Melanie Hawkins, Fine Motor and Sensory Boxes

• Heidi Hoffman, Adventure Land Mini Golf!

• Theresa Holt, Health Care

• Sandi Kidwell, Maple Syrup Project

• Traci LeTourneau, Training Future Chefs

• Cassie Phillips, Experimenting with Delectable Emulsions

• Brian Smith, Physical Education

• Wesley Stephenson, Chemistry Lab

• Raysha Wininger, Welcome to Starbooks!

• Emelia Yanez, Sensory

MCCF 2023 Classroom Grant Recipients

The Martin County Community Foundation Board of Directors awarded $9,000 to twenty-one Martin County teachers through the 2023 MCCF Classroom Grant Cycle.

The Classroom Grant program is designed to fund small, in-class projects that might not have a typical funding source. The goal is to help teachers provide additional educational projects that are creative, innovative, and stimulate student learning.

“Teachers dedicate themselves to educating the leaders and workforce of the future. They frequently spend their own money on projects that students will enjoy and will bring what they are teaching to life,” Judy Quyle, Classroom Grant Coordinator, said. “The Classroom Grant program is designed to support the teachers in their role as educators and to show our appreciation for the importance of their profession and dedication. In addition, the enthusiasm these projects create for the students can inspire a love of learning.”

Grant recipients and project names follow:

Loogoottee Community Schools
Marci Arthur, Storm Kits
Lindsay Burch, Do You Want to Build a Snowman?
Katie Kidwell, It’s Cool to be Calm!
Tara Lengacher, Accelerated Reader
Ashley Roach, Engaging Literacy Circles with Chapter Books
Shannon Wagler, Science of Reading Small Groups for First Grade
Jayleigh Wagoner, Soft Start
Ashton Kahle, Classroom Calculators
Adalyn Hollihan, Teaching Students to Cook
Jenna Rupska, Creating Artists
Joel Weitkamp, Crash of the Cymbals 

Shoals Community Schools
Kenady Bratton, The Playbook of Reading
Lindsey Douglas, Exploring Math Through Hands-On Learning
Mimi Hawkins, 2nd Grade Hands-On Weather
Heidi Hoffman, Indoor Golf is Tee-rific!
Rebecca Rollins, Wondrous Opportunities with Weather
Amanda Turpin, I Escaped! Survival School PBL Unit
Cassie Phillips, Literacy in Science
Kari Goodman, Just One More Chapter
Megan Hawkins, Fabrication and Technology Learning
Wesley Stephenson, Rockets to the Moon

LCCF 2023 Classroom Grant Recipients

LCCF awarded just under $10,000 in Classroom Grants to thirty0two Lawrence County teachers through the 2023LCCF Classroom Grant Cycle. The Classroom Grant program is designed to fund small, in-class projects that might not have a typical funding source. The goal is to help teachers provide additional educational projects that are creative, innovative, and stimulate student learning.

“Our teachers work hard to establish a strong educational foundation for our students. Often they spend their own money to provide extra learning opportunities for their students,” said Judy Quyle, Classroom Grants Coordinator. “Through the Classroom Grant program LCCF hopes to not only support the teachers in their essential role in educating our children, but to enhance the learning experience for the children.” The grants fund projects that reinforce the lessons in the classroom and excite the students about what they are learning.

Grant recipients and project names:

North Lawrence Community Schools
Danielle Fish, Sensory Experience
Karyn Key, Love For Literacy
Sabrina Sumpter, Social-Emotional Awareness and Learning Techniques
Allison Brown, Sensory Supported Safe Space
Stacy Mundy, Hatching Chicks with Mrs. Mundy
Rachel Boshears, Science of Reading in our Hands
Crystal Fisher, Let’s Glow! Review Day Rotation Stations
Naomi Trojan, Sensory Overload
Sean Steele, Advanced Tie Dye T-shirts
Nicholas Boyd, Snatoms Molecular Modeling Kits
JoAnna Hackney, Sewing Stars
Lacy Hawkins, Hands on History with Prehistoric Tools
Alita Masters, Making Through the Day
Matthew Ray, Personality Masks
Hilary Whitaker, Making Economics Relevant
Logan Felts, Hatching Interest!
Aaron Harrell, Advisory News
Amanda Nixon, Sensory/Safe Space

 Mitchell Community Schools
Kamala Blevins, Increase Academic Learning Through Play
Shannon Thomas, Fine Motor Readiness
Hannah Courtright, Light Up Heart Model
Tiffany Church, Care Cubbies
Erica Cuellar, Snack Cart
Matt Olson, Student Advancement in Construction
Margaret Sears, Cross-Curricular Earth Day Celebration

Lawrence County Independent Schools
Jenny Hopper, Classroom Fundamentals
Regina Weir, Outdoor Classroom: Food Demonstration Site

Springville Community Academy
Danielle Garrison, Xtra Math, Xtra Smart Kiddos!
Amy Spence Greenan, Yellow and Blue Go Green

Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School
Melissa Banks, Art of the World
Holly Thatcher, Comparing Modern and Ancient Cephalopods
Spencer Wardlow, Overcoming our Hoopstacles