Mansfield City Schools teachers received $28,366 this month in educational program grants awarded through the Richland County Foundation.
Among them is Keli Henry, an intervention specialist in her 13th year at Malabar Intermediate School, who works with students who have behavioral issues. Henry’s “Programming with Robots” proposal was approved for a $1,430 grant from the Katharine C. Bristor Fund. The money will be used to purchase small programmable robots, charging packs, an iPad mini, STEM books and assorted accessories.
I believe these kid-friendly robots will keep the students engaged and learning,” Henry said. “We will learn how to use the iPad to program them. The total package also includes read-aloud materials. “We will write about our experiences programming and using the robots. What happened? Did it work as we planned? If it didn’t, why not?
“All kids love technology. I love technology,” said Henry, who works with fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders. “I really believe learning with the robots will help the kids focus.”
In a news release announcing the grants, Richland County Foundation said: “The board reviewed the $57,493 in educational program grants for the upcoming school year to local teachers for their creative or supplemental programs not covered by school funding. The grants were given to K-12 teachers in public and private Richland County schools to encourage them to develop new programs, projects or events for their classrooms.”
Other Mansfield City Schools teachers who received grants from the Katherine C. Bristor Fund include:
- Kathy Edwards, Malabar, $1,057.62 for Brain Pop software.
- Lisa Foley, Malabar, $1,448.89 for outdoor education games
- Michelle Lehman, Malabar, $1,483.50 for literacy program journals
- Heidi Payne, Malabar, $1,489.35 for STEM kits
- Kathy Kranch, Sherman, $1,496.29 for Battle of the Books
- Kevin Stone, Sherman, $1,171.54 for science tools
- Nancy Niedermier, Springmill STEM, $743.89 for Doodlers 3D creation
- Melissa Vogt, Springmill STEM, $1,454.97 for science reading center
- Cindy Colvin, Woodland, $1,032.87 for visual art and journaling
- Jill Danison, Woodland, $1,057.03, non-fiction literacy
- Jennifer Jarvis, Woodland, $1,490.44 for project-based instruction for first-graders
- Robin Porter, Woodland, $664 for puppetry arts
- Sarah Schonauer, Woodland, $1,499.74 for sight word station
- Patricia Lilley, middle school, $1,125 for Leader in Me Initiative
- Susan Rice, middle school, $1,189.99 for Leader in Me Initiative
- Linda White, middle school, $823.99 for Leader In Me Initiative
- Tom Blike, Senior High, $530 for Entrepreneurship through culinary arts
- Stephanie Chandler, Senior High, $1,500 for positive behavior program
The Betty Martin Elementary Education Fund:
- Bernadette Redman, Sherman, $360 for indoor recess equipment
- Jeanette Fike, Sherman, $550 for indoor recess equipment
The Ethel Mayer Southeast Community Fund:
- Angela Hartz, Prospect, $600 for science kits
The Margaret Ann Lindley Fund:
- Joshua Cunningham, Senior High, $800 for books
- Jen Weithman, Springmill STEM, $1,386.93 for non-fiction literacy
The Mansfield City Schools Fine Arts Fund:
- Dirk Eachus, Senior High, $150 for trip to the Renaissance Theatre
- Jennifer Jarvis, Woodland, $360 for trip to the Mansfield Art Center
- Deanna Mack, Malabar, $720 for trip to the Mansfield Art Center
- Wendy Doup, Sherman, $750 for trip to the Mansfield Art Center
Other Richland County grant recipients included:
- Rich Hoover of Clear Fork Valley Schools for prison history unit
- Kelly Harris of Clear Fork Valley Schools for tower garden
- Christy Walter of Crestview Local Schools for Flagway Mathematical Competition
- Dwight Souder of Crestview Local Schools for aeronautics STEAM program
- Robin Dawson of Crestview Local Schools for forensic science & biology
- Angela Smith of Foundation Academy for current events magazine
- Cara Pelphrey of Lexington Local Schools for Write Stuff STEAM kits
- Lisa Hughes of Mansfield Christian School for science kits
- Kalyn Stichler of Pioneer Career & Technology Center for National Tech Honor Society
- Colby Dunn of Richland School of Academic Arts for physics experiments
- Angela Vega of Richland School of Academic Arts for robotics program
- Kate Mould of Richland School of Academic Arts for STEM kits
- Daniel Jones of Richland School of Academic Arts for classroom gamification
- Chesley Talisse of Richland School of Academic Arts for Orff instruments
- Laura Stine of Sacred Heart Catholic School for Mindful Mats
- Tracy Mathys of Shelby City Schools for indoor recess equipment
- Anne Finn of Shelby City Schools for fine motor activities
- Susan James of St. Peter’s Schools for STEM kits
- Sarah Rizzo of St. Peter’s Schools for literacy center
- Erica Russell of Temple Christian School for art supplies
- Wendy Groff of Temple Christian School for art integration
- Promise Robinson of Temple Christian School for science kits
- Kim Running of Temple Christian School for keyboarding & speech
Funded through the Harry and Lois McCullough Fund
- Angela Vega of Richland School of Academic Arts for Ohio History reenactment
Funded through the Margaret Ann Lindley Fund
- Jami Gilger of Shelby City Schools for reading resources
- Lauren Reichenbach of Ontario Middle School for reading and literacy activities
Sources: Richland County Foundation, Mansfield City Schools
