Education Foundation holds Horizon Grant Awards

The St. Johns County Education Foundation informed Historic City News local reporters that they hosted the 17th annual Horizon Grant Awards reception on Thursday, November 17th.

Over $17,000 was awarded to 24 teachers in 12 elementary, middle and high schools in St. Johns County to help fund classroom projects and initiatives.

All interested teachers were asked to submit an application including information about the subject area in which they would use the grant money, and a brief summary of what the project would entail.

Grant requests were filed for everything from building a solar powered vehicle to guitar lessons. All applications were judged according to a point system and the recipients with the most points were chosen.

“I am very grateful that the grant will give our students the opportunity to have hands-on experience with an iPad and will motivate children to read by engaging with interactive e-books,” explained Mary Linekin, a teacher at Crookshank Elementary.

Florida Power and Light, St. Johns Cultural Council, Community First Credit Union and Carlisle Interconnect Technologies each sponsored their own grants based on the proposed projects reflection of an area of interest for the companies.

The 24 teachers who received grants were all so excited, and the Horizon Grants are just one way that the SJCEF is continuing to enhance academic achievement in the classroom.