Supporting Huntsville City Schools, Madison, & Madison Co. Schools by The Schools Foundation

The  Schools Foundation Educators Institute Awards

$2500 In Scholarships to Five Area Teachers

Please click here to view the original press release with photos:  tsf_2009_scholarship_winners

From among 63 applicants, five public school teachers in the Huntsville, Madison City and Madison County school districts have been awarded Excellence in Education scholarships totaling $2.500 by The Schools Foundation. The 2009 teacher scholarships are a part of The Schools Foundation’s ongoing effort to encourage professional development and assist local educators defray the cost of graduate study. The Foundation partners with companies and individuals to provide these scholarships each year.  Scott McLain, President of The Schools Foundation said, “Partnerships with businesses, community leaders, and other individuals make it possible for The Schools Foundation to support these teachers in their professional development.”  

The Boeing Math & Science Scholarships

The Boeing Company sponsored three of the five $500 awards, which were awarded this year to Vonda Pettigrew, a fourth grade/science teacher at Jones Valley Elementary; Paul Davis, a seventh grade Advanced Math Teacher at Meridianville Middle; and Emily Vandagriff, a sixth grade/science teacher at Horizon Elementary.

Emily Vandagriff, a sixth grade reading and science teacher at Horizon Elementary School in Madison, said, “When students see a purpose and the content matters to them, they will be interested and motivated to learn. I undoubtedly know that graduating with a masters degree in School Counseling will improve my classroom.”

Yvonne Pettigrew is a first year fourth grade teacher at Jones Valley elementary School in Huntsville. She says, “While I feel that my undergraduate degree qualified me to teach elementary students and equip them with necessary skills to become a lifelong learner; I believe that a mastery of my content area is required to provide students the best approaches and current researched methods. Along with mastery of knowledge comes the high price tag of continuing education. The Boeing Science Scholarship will help to alleviate a portion of the cost associated with higher education and allow me to continue developing in education so that ultimately I will be the most qualified and knowledgeable teacher possible.”

Paul Davis teaches 7^th grade advanced math at Meridianville Middle School in Madison County. Paul said, “This year I have been given several Advanced classes (to teach). I would love to be able to not only show my students 'how to' work their math but to apply what they learn as well. …..I love math!  I am AMSTI trained and this past summer I took part in the new A+ training that is laying the foundation for students to prepare for AP courses. I feel as if I would be a better teacher for these Advanced courses if I could take and complete these classes.”

 The Laura Hall Scholarship, reserved for teachers in a Title I school, was given to Candace Gamble, an English Language Learners teacher who teaches children in three schools- University Place, Jones Valley and Martin Luther King Elementary.  Candace said in her application, “This is my second Master's Degree so I will not receive a pay increase upon completion of this degree, but I felt the coursework would be beneficial to the program development in Huntsville City Schools, the students I serve at my schools, and to me personally as I strive to become a better professional.´

The Jenice Riley Scholarship

 Donna Lancaster of the Academy of Arts and Academics received the Jenice Riley Scholarship, an award set aside for teachers in grades K-3 and named to honor the late daughter of Alabama Governor Bob and Patsy Riley.    “Each and every day I realize how important the continuation of my desire to learn relates directly to my teaching and my students' learning. I am a life-long learner and therefore I am constantly looking for ways to improve my craft.”