Education Grants

Southeast Kentucky Chamber awards education grants

PIKEVILLE, KY (Jan. 17, 2020) - The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce recently awarded nearly $5,000 in education grants through its Excellence in Education Grant Program to three schools across the region – two Pike County schools and one school in Martin County.

Jordan Gibson, president and CEO of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber, said the educators in the region who apply for the education grants always have exciting and innovative projects for which they are seeking funding.

“The Chamber is honored to be able to give back to the educators in the region who are making a difference in the lives of their students. The applicants who apply for these grants each year go above and beyond for their students by finding outside resources that will make learning more fun and efficient,” said Gibson.

Inez Elementary School (Martin County), Phelps Elementary School (Pike County), and Christ Central School (Pike County) were among those to receive education grants from the Chamber.

Inez Elementary Educator Michelle Harless received a grant for $1,250, which will be used for a school-wide performance of “Aladdin Kids.” The grant money will help provide props, scenery, and costumes for the show. Harless said the production will incorporate between 30 and 50 students, with students performing numerous roles and functions.

Phelps Elementary Educator Kari Mayhorn received a grant for $1,250, which she will use to purchase Wonder Workshop Dash Robots, cue sketch kits, a road rug, and iPads for students to use.

“Students in Kindergarten through sixth grade will have the opportunity to use the tablets to code and run dash robots,” said Mayhorn. “This will help to incorporate STEM and STEAM lessons in the classroom setting, which will help students learn fundamental processes relevant for all 21^st century skills.”

Christ Central School Administrator Angie Wilkes received a $2,035 grant, which will be used to update technology in the school. The school seeks to purchase 12 Kindle Fire tablets from Amazon for students to use for coursework.

“Each year, the Chamber looks forward to presenting these education grants to the dedicated educators of this region,” said Gibson. “We are honored to be able to give back to those educators and the students who are the future of this region.”

The Chamber’s Excellence in Education Grant Program funds approximately $5,000 in educational projects annually in schools in the eight counties the Chamber serves: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike. Since its inception, more than $60,000 has been awarded through the education grant program. Each school can only receive one grant per grant cycle and must wait two grant cycles to receive another grant.

For more information about the Chamber’s Excellence in Education Grant program, visit the Chamber online at www.sekchamber.com, or by phone at 606.432.5504.