Twenty-four Aiken County Public Schools’ educators were among many from across the Central Savannah River Area honored by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) during the 2022 Innovative Teaching Mini Grants Reception held May 19, 2022, at Newberry Hall in Aiken. The annual grant program recognizes and celebrates innovative teaching methods by providing funds to enhance elementary and middle school classroom instruction.
“This monetary awards program recognizes the value of and appreciation for our local teachers,” stated Taylor Rice, SRNS Education Outreach Coordinator. “Aiken County teachers lead the way in grant submissions and grant awards, and by doing so they demonstrate how deeply invested they are in making a difference in the lives of their students.”
Grant recipient Mark Cota said his students at Graniteville Elementary will greatly benefit from the grant that will fund his project titled “Fact Fluency – More Than Memorization”.
“Multiple research studies support the idea that students build fact fluency through understanding number relationships and principles, not by rote memorization,” commented Cota. “The intent of ‘Fact Fluency – More than Memorization’ is to teach mathematic facts using reasoning and strategies rather than rote memorization. I am excited to see the anticipated growth in my students’ fact fluency. These materials would not be available without the generosity of SRNS.”
Congratulations to the following ACPSD educators who received mini grants for their classroom projects:
Traci Nelson, Aiken Elementary School, $1,000; Mark Cota, Graniteville Elementary School, $1,000; Alison Carpenter, Graniteville Elementary School, $750; Jennifer McMillian, Leavelle McCampbell Middle School, $750; Amber Adams, Warrenville Elementary School, $750; Carrie Lucas, Warrenville Elementary School, $750; Stacia Nuessle, Chukker Creek Elementary School, $500; Christi McWaters, East Aiken School of the Arts, $500; Mallory Walp, East Aiken School of the Arts, $500; Monica Peterson, Gloverville Elementary School, $500; Jenny Browder, Greendale Elementary School, $500; Margaret Green, JD Lever Elementary School, $500; Leah Bynes, JD Lever Elementary School, $500; Emily Bostedor, Millbrook Elementary School, $500; Stacey Meade, Millbrook Elementary School, $500; Alex Gomez, Millbrook Elementary School, $500; Jennifer Powell, Mossy Creek Elementary School, $500; Traci Smith, Mossy Creek Elementary School, $500; Patricia Saxon, New Ellenton Middle STEAM Magnet School, $500; Brandi Harley, North Aiken Elementary School, $500; Amy Reilly, North Aiken Elementary School, $500; Marquidria Jordan, North Aiken Elementary School, $500; Michelle Kelly, North Aiken Elementary School, $500; and Michalene Langford, Warrenville Elementary School, $500.