Published: January 10, 2009 10:57 pm      

Teachers get first Mike’s Kids grants

During the holiday break, the Mike’s Kids Education Foundation selected 16 recipients for its first-ever Teacher Innovation Grants. The grants, given to Madison County Schools teachers for classroom projects focused on literacy, were worth $500 each.

“This year, we are distributing 16 grants,” said Lisa Caudill, wife of former Superintendent Mike Caudill and founder of the non-profit organization. “We had a wonderful response to our grant application request with a total of 26 entries.”

A team of educators and other professionals, including Lisa Caudill, selected the recipients. The grants were based on:

• Innovative approach to literacy

• Creative classroom activity

• Promotion of student-centered learning

• Enhancement of literacy.

“Educators like these are what makes our school district one of the best in the state,” Lisa Caudill said.

Grant winners and their projects include:

• Mary Carol Tate, Daniel Boone Elementary, “Making Connections”

• Jill Van Dyke, Daniel Boone Elementary, “Seven Chinese Brothers”

• Jennifer Whitt, Kit Carson Elementary, “Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Connecting Math and Literacy”

• Dana Freeman, Kit Carson Elementary, “Matching Books to Readers”

• Annalee Strack, Kingston Elementary, “Life Cycles, Hatching Chicken Eggs. Integrating Science, Reading and Writing”

• Melissa Haggard, Kirksville Elementary, “Do you Hear What I Hear?”

• Krista Mayfield, Glenn Marshall Elementary, “I Can Read!”

• Sara Rupard, Mayfield Elementary, “Differentiated Learning Centers”

• Denise Stonecipher, Mayfield Elementary, “Differentiated Learning Centers”

• Erica Carpenter, Shannon Johnson Elementary, “Working with Words”

• Jamie Beth Collins and Amy Ritter, Waco Elementary, “Recite-A-Rhyme, Bringing Nursery Rhymes Alive”

• Diana Flener, Clark-Moores Middle School, “Share Your Favorite Book”

• Margaret Soto, Clark-Moores Middle School, “Writing About an Experience”

• Melanie Grant, Foley Middle School, “Civil War Collaborative Unit”

• Avonda Noe, Madison Southern High School, “Reluctant Reader Rescue”

• Neely Traylor, Madison Central High School, “A Progressive Look at African Americans in Literature.”

Lisa Caudill and her son Stephen presented certificates to the recipients at the Jan. 8 school board meeting.

Because their names had changed when they married, Lisa Caudill said she did not realize until the presentations that five of the recipients were former students of hers or her husband’s.

The Mike’s Kids Education Foundation was established in memory of late B. Michael Caudill, who served Madison County Schools as an educator for more than 24 years. Caudill focused much of his attention on literacy during his six years as superintendent.

So far, the Mike’s Kids Education Foundation has donated $10,000 to the Madison County School District — $8,000 in grants and $2,000 in scholarships to students.