Colonial Life awards $20,000 to Lexington Two teachers

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Aug. 17, 2018) — Colonial Life is awarding $20,000 in grants to 26 Lexington School District Two educators through its Strong Schools Grant program.
 
The program supports teachers in the school district who have innovative and creative ideas for increasing student engagement. Teachers applied to receive grants of up to $1,000 to purchase equipment and resources that support lessons focused on world-class knowledge and skills and life and career characteristics as outlined in the Profile of the S.C. Graduate.
 
“Providing these mini-grants to classroom teachers is one way Colonial Life invests in supporting educators to help prepare students for a lifetime of success,” said Colonial Life community relations manager Marie McGehee. “The Strong Schools grants help bridge the gap between school budgets and teachers’ personal expenses to offer innovative approaches to hands-on, project-based learning opportunities.”
 
“All partnerships are important to public education,” said Lexington School District Two Superintendent Dr. William B. James Jr. “The partnership between Colonial Life and Lexington District Two is especially important because of the human capital involved. Colonial Life provides grant funding to teachers, but more than funds, Colonial Life provides human contacts who are knowledgeable, and are advocates for education.”
 
Colonial Life is awarding 24 mini-grants to these 26 Lexington Two teachers:
 
Airport High School
• Thomas Bosse
 
Cayce Elementary School
• Kimberly Addy
• Blair Flora
• Caroline Mobley
• Lauren Tinman
 
Congaree Elementary School
• Janette Babcock
 
Congaree/Wood Early Childhood Center
• Kali Kolb
• Melanie Yoder
 
Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy
• Robin Gerzema
• Hunter Reese
• John Rogers
 
Herbert A. Wood Elementary School
• Kyrsten Fandrich
• Angie Sanders
 
New Bridge Academy
• Suzette Brunson
• T. Lynn Moseley
 
Pine Ridge Middle School 
• Amanda Chapman
 
R.H. Fulmer Middle School
• Aaron Brazier
• Alexis Deese-Smith
• Jessica Zearfoss
 
Riverbank Elementary
• Tracy Floyd
• Mary Koon
• Ashley Robles
• Sherry Wright
 
Saluda River Academy for the Arts
• Melissa Drew
 
Springdale Elementary School
• Susan Jenkinson
• Michelle Tynes
 
In four previous years of the program, Colonial Life has funded nearly $100,000 to Richland School District One and Lexington School District Two educators through the Strong Schools Grant program. The grants are administered with the help of the United Way of the Midlands.
 
“Supporting education is a pillar of our community relations work at Colonial Life,” said Tim Arnold, president and CEO of Colonial Life. “Our company and our employees are committed to supporting today’s students and educators with the tools they need to prepare students to thrive in a 21st century workforce.”