On December 20th, Homestead educators gathered for the second annual presentation of educator mini grants by the City of Homestead’s Education Committee and Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough, Education Committee liaison.
Fairclough opened her presentation by acknowledging the important role of the committee, saying, “Tonight is a good night because we will be placing money into your classrooms. I am so fortunate to work with volunteers in our community — the Education Committee, who really believe in putting their money where their heart is and that is in the classroom — supporting students and the teachers that teach them.”
The local educator mini grant supports innovation and ingenuity in the classroom, broadening students’ learning experiences. Councilwoman Fairclough was joined by members of the Homestead Education Committee, including Chair Desiree Chase, who announced the grant awardees. Twelve grants were awarded to fund a variety of creative classroom projects at six schools in Homestead. Teachers present to receive the grants included:
•Brenda Gaudet, Homestead Senior High, “Broncos for Butterflies”
•Lisa Banegas, Gateway Environmental K-8 Learning Center, “Flashlight Friday”
•Silvana Bermudez, Gateway Environmental K-8 Learning Center, “For the Love of Literacy”
•Dr. Mona Benard, Gateway Environmental K-8 Learning Center, “Future Writers”
•Angela Compton, Everglades Preparatory Academy, “Investing Classification in Biological Systems"
•Jose Padilla, Everglades Preparatory Academy, “Learning Physics with Robots”
•Julie Kenney, First United Methodist Christian School, “Roxaboxen”
•Lorna Smith, Laura C. Saunders Elementary School, “Saunders Launchers”
•Cynthia Dahl, Homestead Senior High School, “STEPping in the Garden”
•Tania Rousseau, West Homestead K-8 Center, “Rousseau’s Super Kid Comic”
•Caroline Lancelot-Bedard, Gateway Environmental K-8 Learning Center, “Tickets to Success”
•Jessamy Matheson, West Homestead K-8 Center, “Traveling Reading Scrapbook”
Following the presentation of the mini grants, Councilwoman Fairclough acknowledged Leonard Ruan, South Region Office administrative director and the principals and assistant principals who were present in support of the teachers who received grants. Councilwoman Fairclough concluded her presentation to the teachers, saying, “We hope you do great things in your classroom for our kids in the City of Homestead.”
Annually, the City of Homestead awards grants for educator initiatives including class projects, cultural enrichment activities, curriculum enrichment and enhancement, student initiatives (such as mentoring, student achievement and truancy), parent engagement programs and professional development that is directly aligned with educator goals and/or duties. Grants are limited to one per classroom and one per teacher, per school year.