Leaders Education Foundation awards $35,000 to educators across West Tennessee at their L.E.A.D.S. Grants Reception

JACKSON, Tenn. (October 22, 2024) – Leaders Education Foundation, a non-profit 5019c3, hosted a ceremony at Union University awarding $35,000 to West Tennessee educators through the L.E.A.D.S. Educator Grant program.

The L.E.A.D.S Grant program awards grants to local educators whose initiatives empower students to Learn, Experience, Advocate, Dream, and Serve. To be eligible for these grants, educators were required to be in public and private K-12 schools, Technical Schools, University, and Colleges in West Tennessee.

“I’m excited to see how these grants will make an impact in the lives of educators and their students across West Tennessee,” said Leigh Anne Bentley, President of Leaders Education Foundation. “We are blessed to live in a community with educators who are willing to give their time, resources, and lives to empowering our future workforce and leaders. It is a joy to come alongside these educators in helping them to excel in their mission to serve their students.”

Twenty-five Classroom Grant recipients were given $1,000 each by submitting a video highlighting their idea, vision, or project that was voted on by the public on the Foundation’s Facebook page. Since they are encouraged to pour the money back into their classrooms, they will be able to use these funds towards needs they have for their students, such as new books, school-wide projects, or a STEM initiative. Five educators received $1,000 in Professional Development Grants to use for their growth in pursuing a certification, taking a development class, or another educational opportunity. The ten Teacher Appreciation Grant were nominated by their principal or school administrator, and they received $500. These leaders can use this money to purchase classroom supplies, materials, equipment, or goodies to celebrate other teachers or staff. 

Recipients of the L.E.A.D.S Grants include:

·         Matt Barker – Freed-Hardeman University

·         Misty Lewis – Community Montessori School

·         Lauren Barker – East Chester Elementary

·         Lisa McLemore – Denmark Elementary School

·         Missi Hardin – Community Montessori

·         Jennifer Swanner – Elmore Park Middle School

·         Lindsay Barnes – Community Montessori School

·         Jennifer Burkhead – Denmark Elementary School

·         Robin Ferguson – Denmark Elementary School

·         Meagan Spencer – Freed-Hardeman University

·         Audrey Staggs – South Gibson County Elementary School

·         Lucchiaa Anderson – Liberty Technology High School

·         Angie Roberts – Community Montessori School

·         Shawna Northrop – Denmark Elementary School

·         Janet Sweeney – South Elementary School

·         Amy Groves – Jackson Christian School

·         Shannon Davis – Denmark Elementary School

·         Christopher White – Freed-Hardeman University

·         Whitney Hogg – Rose Hill

·         Avrie Scott – South Elementary School

·         Leigh Ann Henson – Denmark Elementary

·         Jennifer Hilton – Denmark Elementary

·         Sharon Clark – Sunny Hill Intermediate School

·         Calandra Ellison Williamson – Liberty Tech High School

·         Joanna Willingham – Denmark Elementary School

·         Kelly Williams – Lincoln Elementary

·         Misty Lewis – Community Montessori School

·         Kristin Backus – Fayette Academy

·         Kimberly Woodard – Stigall Primary School

·         Natalie Watson – University of Tennessee at Martin

·         Lisa Norris – Clarksburg

·         Leslie Wolfe – Jackson Careers & Technology School

·         Holly Peale – Huntingdon Primary School

·         Mary Ramey – Jackson Christian School Early Learning Village

·         Valerie Sceals – Anderson Early Childhood Center

·         Natalie Lax – West Junior High School

·         Jody Hinson – Rutherford School

·         Michael Morris – Jackson Academic STEAM Academy

·         Regina DeLoach – Sherwood Elementary School

·         Tisa Day – Nova Early Learning Center

To learn how to apply for L.E.A.D.S. Grants in the future, visit leadersgives.org/grants. Become a supporter of Leaders Education Foundation to empower educators and students in our community by visiting leadersgives.org.

About Leaders Education Foundation

Leaders Education Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 organization based in Jackson, Tenn. Established in 2019, the Foundation allows community-minded citizens, members, and organizations to unite to make lives better together. The Foundation invests in the local community through scholarships, grants, and supporting additional programs to provide educational opportunities promoting lifelong learning for students, teachers, and our community.  For more information about Leaders Education Foundation, please visit their website.