WCCF Announces D. Jack Mahuron Education Fund and Elliott Family Fund Recipients

A Community Posting by the Washington County Community Foundation

The D. Jack Mahuron Education Fund was established at the Washington County Community Foundation to encourage educators and staff to teach in innovative ways. This year, the fund, as well as the Elliott Family Fund, has awarded several teachers in the county school corporations over $8,200.00.

Students in Jenisa Collier’s Bradie Shrum Elementary School 1st Grade class will be utilizing supplies to store books in order to teach students how to stay organized as well as binding their math mats which provide hands-on learning, which encourages students to stay engaged with increased learning time.

Charles Adams’ East Washington Middle School Classrooms are receiving new sensory modulation and de-escalation materials to assist those students with severe emotional disabilities in order to assist in regulating them with los-stimulation in order for them to return to academic tasks.

West Washington Jr/Sr High School will be seeing technology upgrades in April Blair’s Life Skills classroom. She was awarded a grant to purchase new tablets and cases that students will use to practice communication, problem-solving, independence, and digital literacy.

Aimie Crowder’s West Washington Elementary School Pre-K Classroom will also gain a new sensory/calm down area with specialized and durable pediatric sensory equipment that targets deep couch and vestibular inputs.

Students in Angela Record’s West Washington Elementary School First Grade class will see a new cozy corner for reading this year. The grant will be used to transform the room library into a warm, inviting, and engaging space where students can develop a love of reading.

Amanda Dixon’s Third Grade class at East Washington Elementary School will be discovering growing systems with a hydroponic tower, journals, nutrients, and sees to provide them with a hands-on learning experience while introducing them to sustainable agriculture, plant science, and environmental stewardship.

Students in Logan Davidson’s Bradie Shrum Elementary School Fourth Grade class will be creating living story labs which they will use to study clues, maps, and pictures to discover details from books in order to practice and enhance current reading skills.

Celeste DePoy’s Third and Fourth grade classrooms at East Washington Elementary School will be utilizing text-to-speech reading pens to support those students who struggle to independently access written language, providing additional reading and language support, especially for students below grade level.

Monika Spaulding and Jon-David Wade-Swift, Salem High School Media teachers, are teaming up to purchase new media supplies for print and livestream needs. The grant will be used to purchase magnetic microphones, tablet stands, on-camera monitors as well as wireless transmission systems to expand the technical capabilities of student-led, real-world media productions.

Bradie Shrum Elementary School students will be learning about recycling in Emily Johnson’s 4th and 5th grade STEAM lab. Students will recycle 3D printer filament waste into usable items such as keychains, ornaments, and desktop items while learning about reducing waste, tool safety, following safety procedures, problem-solving, and decision making through the recycling process.

Student at East Washington Elementary School will be learning a new game in Sue Shipman’s Physcial Education classes. She was awarded a grant to purchase pickleball paddles and balls.

Leah Mendizabal’s West Washington 7th and 8th grade Career and College Readiness program and PE programs will be benefiting from grants this year. She was awarded grants for students to create a career readiness portfolio that grows with them as they learn more about themselves and their interests, strengths, and values. Her 7th and 8th grade Physical Education classes will be benefitting from grants to purchase items for small-sided games, partner challenges, and cooperative activities that require student to move, communicate, problem-solve, and encourage each other.

Students in Samantha Green’s West Washington Elementary School Kindergarten class will be utilizing hands-on math manipulatives, literacy materials, and interactive learning tools that will allow them to learn through exploration, movement, communication, and play.

West Washington’s library courtyard will see an upgrade very soon. Librarian, Whitney Hall, has been awarded a grant to make the courtyard more enjoyable by adding outdoor games and a storage box to organize the games.

Jennifer Stahl’s West Washington Seventh Grade are learning to crochet for the Friday Seminar period. Students will gain skills that support sustained attention, perseverance, problem-solving, patience, following directions, and attention to detail.

Students in Sarah Temple’s West Washington 5th and 6th grade classrooms will be supplementing their reading with a n intervention and support program targeted towards students with learning disabilities and health impairments.

Nick Gunter’s East Washington Middle School Physical Education classes will be playing with new equipment thanks to a grant to purchase new dodgeballs, indoor badminton supplies, and games for PE classes.

Washington County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1993 to serve donors, award grants, and provide leadership to improve Washington County forever.