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Classroom Empowerment Grants

Calling all educators! Egyptian Electric Cooperative is excited to announce that applications for the Touchstone Energy Classroom Empowerment Grants are now open for the 2024-25 school year.

Egyptian Electric Cooperative will award TEN Classroom Empowerment Grants, each valued at $500. This opportunity is open to both public and private K-12 schools within our service territory. These grants empower teachers and administrators to enhance educational opportunities for students through innovative classroom projects. Winning applications will be based on projects that best serve the purpose of improving the learning environment and/or increasing educational resources for students.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, November 8, and the winning projects will be announced no later than Friday, December 6. Further details, including the application form and official rules, can be found on the Egyptian Electric Cooperative website at eeca.coop.

To apply, interested educators should:

  • Review the official rules and complete the “2024 Classroom Grant Application and Info” form found at the top of this page.
  • Submit the one-page application and a type-written request (no more than three pages) by Friday, November 8.

Applications are not limited to public schools, but public schools within our footprint are Carbondale, Carterville, Chester, Coulterville, DeSoto, DuQuoin, Elverado, Marissa, Murphysboro, Pinckneyville, Red Bud, Sparta, Steeleville, and Trico.

Applications may be submitted:

  • By email to rcroxell@eeca.coop (in one pdf document)
  • By mail to Egyptian Electric Cooperative, 1732 Finney Road, Murphysboro, IL 62966
  • By fax to (888) 554-8181, Attn: Roni Croxell
  • Or dropped off at our office drive-thru or outdoor dropbox.

Applicants and schools are eligible to apply every year, even if the applicant has been a previous recipient. Please note, that the school or district does NOT have to receive electric service from Egyptian Electric Cooperative to qualify. Applications are not limited to public schools, but public schools within our footprint are Marissa, Sparta, Chester, Pinckneyville, Murphysboro, Elverado, Trico, DuQuoin, De Soto, Carbondale, Steeleville, Red Bud, Carterville, and Coulterville.

2023/2024 WINNERS
 
There were TEN $500 Classroom Empowerment Grants that were awarded to teachers/school administrators for the 2023/2024 school year.  Winning applications were based on projects that best serve the purpose of improving the learning environment and/or increasing educational resources for the students. This year’s winners are:
 
1. Brandi Yates, Special Education Teacher, DeSoto Grade School – Assistive Technology for Special Education
2. Cheryl Korando, English Teacher, Trico High School – THS Book Club
3. Michelle Asa, Special Education Teacher, Carruthers School, Murphysboro – Vermicompost: Giving Food Waste a New Purpose
4. Nina Maether, 6th-8th Math/Science Teacher, Saint Andrew School, Murphysboro – Maker Space
5. Rachel Henry, School Social Worker, Perandoe Educational Program, Red Bud – Life Skills Cooking
6. Sabrina Jeremiah, Kindergarten Teacher, St. Marks Lutheran School, Steeleville – 3D Pen & Coding
7. Steve Kidd, Math Teacher, Marissa Jr./Sr. High School – Marissa Drone Club
8. Tammy Zimmerman, Jr. High Math Teacher, Coulterville CUSD 1 – Get Up! It’s Time to Learn!
9. Taylor Harbaugh, Speech-Language Pathologist, Sparta Lincoln School – Communication for All
10. Terri George, Reading Specialist, DeSoto Grade School – Technology Sparks Bright Readers
 
Cheryl Korando, English Teacher, Trico High School – THS Book Club
Steve Kidd, Math Teacher, Marissa Jr./Sr. High School – Marissa Drone Club
Sabrina Jeremiah, Kindergarten Teacher, St. Marks Lutheran School, Steeleville – 3D Pen & Coding
Brandi Yates, Special Education Teacher, DeSoto Grade School – Assistive Technology for Special Education
Michelle Asa, Special Education Teacher, Carruthers School, Murphysboro – Vermicompost: Giving Food Waste a New Purpose
Rachel Henry, School Social Worker, Perandoe Educational Program, Red Bud – Life Skills Cooking
Taylor Harbaugh, Speech-Language Pathologist, Sparta Lincoln School – Communication for All
Terri George, Reading Specialist, DeSoto Grade School – Technology Sparks Bright Readers
Tammy Zimmerman, Jr. High Math Teacher, Coulterville CUSD 1 – Get Up! It’s Time to Learn!
Michelle Asa, Carruthers School, Murphysboro - Vermicompost: Giving Food Waste a New Purpose