The Lakeland Education Foundation (LEF) met Tuesday night, September 29th to award education grants to teachers for the Lakeland School System. Those in attendance included Superintendent Ted Horrell, LPS Principal Corrie Martin, LES Principal Joretha Lockhart, LEF board members Amy Foster, Bill Kiesel, Ursula Roman, Steven Laster, Tim Roberts, Joyce Wright, School Board liaison Jeremy Burnett, and LPS teacher representative Rick Stearnes. LES teacher representative Tonya Carson was unable to attend.
The LEF is funded primarily by Lakeland families through annual membership fees, corporate donations and anonymous donors. This year’s fundraising effort was bolstered by a Community Enhancement Grant presented to the LEF Board by Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright. This grant contributed $16,000 in funds. A constant supporter of the Lakeland School System, Commissioner Wright, who was unable to attend, said, “Time and again, Lakeland’s education system and its instructors and leaders have earned a place of honor. I give you my appreciation for the creative ways in which you connect with the next generation…and my thanks and pledge of continued support.”
Amy Foster, President of the LEF, recognized Kroger as the largest corporate donor this grant cycle. She recognized LEF board member and Kroger store Manager Tim Roberts, as well as Teresa Dickerson, Kroger Delta Division’s Public Affairs Manager, for their community commitment and participation.
Following brief comments from the Superintendent and school Principals, Tim Roberts recognized the LES grant recipients and Joyce Wright introduced the LPS grant recipients. They are as follows:
LES Grants
Erica Patrikios and Lorna Miller – Fine Motor Foundations
Katherine Batson – STEM in 4th Grade
Alyson Bogue – Computer Lab Online Curriculum
Tiffany Horsley – Flexible Seating and Small Group Learning
Jessica Earnest – Special Education Preschool Classroom Sensory Area
Taylor Keith – Preschool Teacher
Karyne Cross – Coding Robots in the Classroom (STEAM)
Bridgett Church – Classroom Essentials
Tina David – Apex-Coding Challenge
Hannah Fruit and Lorna Miller – Everybody Has A Space
Suzanna Hollinsaid – A Place For Everybody
LPS Grants
Amanda Jones – Gamers Unplugged Club
Genny Kilpatrick – Diggin’ Math With Deck Toys
Brent Hopper and Paula Turner – Flat For Education: Music Notation Software for Teaching & Learning
Frances Miller – Social Emotional Learning Through Singing and Music-Making
Brent Hopper – Time For Tuba
Megan Criner – Double Capacity with a Document Camera: Increasing Access Through a Tech Tool
Heather Rios – Boom Cards school wide
Total grant requests were $64,000 and awarded amounts were $26,144. Mrs. Foster commented that this is the first year that the LEF could only partially fund grant requests due to canceled fundraisers and restrictions because of Covid-19. This made the selection process challenging since funds were limited, but the hope is that with the continued growth in our City and schools and the Foundations position as a school support organization, these unfulfilled needs can be met sooner rather than later.
The meeting wrapped up with cookies provided by Sunshine Flour Co., a local owned business by Lakeland parent Amanda Meneses.
