Gwinnett County teachers awarded Jackson EMC Bright Ideas grants

     Twenty-one Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) teachers have been awarded grants for their submissions to the Jackson EMC Bright Ideas initiative. In total, $32,091 was awarded to 10 middle schools around the district. Grants are awarded to teachers who submit an innovative and creative classroom project that would enhance students’ learning experience.

     “My project focuses on an innovative way to get students talking about different academic texts through using a podcasting approach,” says Sheryl Patrick of Lilburn Middle School. “Innovation in the classroom to me means creating engaging lessons that enhance the learning experience and improve student outcomes. The podcasting approach helps create a learning environment where students feel their voices matter. Finding innovative ways to differentiate and promote inclusion in lessons helps foster a sense of belonging and collaboration. I am very excited about being selected as a Bright Ideas grant recipient and thankful for Jackson EMC supporting the work that teachers do in the classroom to prepare students for the ever-changing world.”

The awardees are as follows:

• Coleman Middle School: 
  • Wayne Dail: $1,850 for Databot Science
  • Kayoung Mullins: $196 and six iPads for Coding Robotic Dogs
  • Brad Zickefoose: $1,975 for Wind Energy Blade Design
     
• Creekland Middle School: 
  • Everett Paulk: $1,965 for Building Leaders Through STEM: Lego Innovation Lab
  • Yolanda Rivera-Suarez: $2,000 for Tracking Motion, Powering Minds
  • Natosha Rucker: $1,520 for STEM Lab for Success: Building Future Scientists
     
• Dacula Middle School: 
  • Hanna Carter: $1,945 for Turning Problems into Possibilities Lab
  • Celisa Edwards: $1,010 for Growing Science: A Classroom Hydroponics Lab
     
• Duluth Middle School: 
  • Deepa Pendalwar: $1,835 for Science in Motion: Projects and Possibilities
  • Diane Rice: $2,000 for For the Love of Reading
     
• Hull Middle School:
  • Celia Ayenesazan: $2,000 for AgTech Innovation: From Earth to Space
  • Aimée  Burgamy: $828 for Chomping Creativity
  • Cameron McDonald: $2,000 for Current Connections
  • Michelle Morgan: $2,000 for Physics in the Fast Lane
     
• Jones Middle School: 
  • Hillary Jones: $1,620 for Adaptive Music Instruments
  • Gerardo Serrano: $1,192 for Digital Clash: Adaptive Adventures
     
• Jordan Middle School: 
  • Stacey Edison-Bryson: $1,760 for ALL a BOT Computer Science
     
• Lilburn Middle School: 
  • Naveed Khan: $1,000 for Mustang Makerspace: Sparking Success in STEAM
  • Sheryl Patrick: $360 for Podcasting Perspectives: Student Voices
     
• Northbrook Middle School: 
  • Tashana Gayle: $1,400 and 10 iPads for Voices Beyond Words: Empowering Non-Verbal Students
     
• Twin Rivers Middle School: 
  • Yolanda Letman: $1,635 for Mission to the Moon

Awardee Diane Rice of Duluth Middle School says she wants to give students access to newer material.

     “ ‘For the Love of Reading’ focuses on updating Duluth Middle School’s library collection with high-interest nonfiction and SEL-aligned titles to address gaps in our current collection,” Rice shares. “The project is intentionally designed with a clear implementation plan. In collaboration with our school librarian, we will curate and introduce new titles, engage students through structured reading challenges, and use Beanstack digital reading logs to encourage daily reading habits. I chose this project because reading supports not only academic growth, but also confidence, stress reduction, and emotional well-being—areas that are especially important for middle school students.”

     According to Jackson EMC, the company has awarded more than $80,000 in Bright Ideas grants to 59 teachers at 29 middle schools across its service area this year. Additionally, Jackson EMC reports that since 2015, it has provided more than $700,000 in Bright Ideas funding to local educators.