Grant aids teacher to empower reading

No amount of money could possibly be enough when it comes to your child's education, but one teacher at Westside Elementary has found a way to get more coming into the classroom.

Second grade teacher, Sandra Bozarth has been awarded $600 to pay for equipment to help her students with a reading reading program.

"I was excited because I had never written a grant," said Bozarth. "So I researched the products and how to write one."

The grant was awarded to the teacher from Touchstone Energy cooperatives, an alliance of more than 750 local, member-owned electric cooperatives across the county.

The company has issued a total of $37,000 in Touchstone Energy Classroom Empowerment Grants since 2006.

The grant deadline was in November of 2015 and the awards were announced Jan. 8.

When Principle of Westside, Kim Williams, received the application notice she offered the information to all of those who were mentioned they were interested.

Bozarth was then tasked with writing a grant proposal which she had never attempted.

"She is a dynamic teacher," said Williams. "She sent me an email immediately after receiving notice of her award and then ran down and asked if I had received the email."

Bozarth intends to use the money to supply her classroom with a new listening center as part of the 2nd grade reading program. The students are required to read at least 25 min each evening as well as in class reading.

The listening center will provide a means for them to listen to books on tape.

She is also going to use the money to purchase Seat Sacks, pouches that hang on the backs of the students chairs to hold the books to help prevent damage.

"When a teacher steps up to write a grant its very influential, she stepped out and got it done," Williams said.