Teacher Grants
Since 1994, the Hoover City Schools Foundation has provided grants to teachers for innovative ideas in the classroom. During a typical year, the Foundation receives a number of proposals requesting funds to help start or supplement teaching in the classroom. For the 2024-25 school year, the Foundation is awarding 18 teachers grants totaling $33,347.48. Twelve Hoover City schools are receiving grant awards this cycle. Click the toggle below to see this year’s teacher classroom grant recipients.
2024 - 2025 TEACHER CLASSROOM GRANTS
Riverchase Career Connection Center
Chef Chris Villa, Farm to Fork, $1,752.00
Riverchase Elementary
Catherine Bryant, Decodable Text, $1,495.00
Lori Wilson, Dash – The Wonderful Robot, $1,890.00
Brock’s Gap Intermediate
Heather Hutchinson, Drone Legends Curriculum, $2,000.00
Beth Presley, Math Games at Home, $2,000.00
Hoover High
Canne Holladay, Updated Potter’s Wheels, $2,000
Simmons Middle
Megan Pezeshkmehr, Math Boot Camp, $2,000
Berry/Bumpus/Simmons
Ginger Hewitt, Read-Alongs, $2,000
South Shades Crest Elementary
Anna Leigh Moncrief, Inclusion Through Literacy, $677.10
Jolee Owens, Imagination Station, $2,000.00
Gwin Elementary
Dani Berryhill, Glow Games, $1,350.00
Jennifer Northrup, Steam-to-Go, $1,934.32
Green Valley Elementary
Kristina Fowler, Let’s Start Talking, $848.98
Melissa Willcox, Awesome Ozobots, $2,000.00
Trace Crossings/Riverchase Elementary
Natalie Shaw, Learning Through Sensory Play, $1416.47
Deer Valley Elementary
Shelly Johnson, Classroom Calm Down Kits, $1,996.00
Shades Mountain Elementary
Demetria Long, “LIT” Learning, $1,784.85
Marjie Keeney, Light Up Learning, $1,585.00
The Hovercraft Project
For the last several years, the Hoover City Schools Foundation has sponsored The Hovercraft Project for all fifth graders in each of our elementary schools. The day-long, in-school field trip gives groups of students everything they need to assemble their own hovercraft that they ride at the end of the day. The students learn how to problem solve, work together, experience failures and celebrate successes. Once again, the Foundation is funding this exciting project for the 2023-24 school year! “We know that children easily retain what they learn doing a hands-on activity,” said Executive Director Shelley Shaw. “The project has been overwhelmingly positive and a fantastic experience for our fifth graders.”
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Strong Community Presence: Throughout the year, the Hoover City Schools Foundation participates in local events that are supportive of school initiatives, such as Taste of Hoover, Celebrate Hoover Day and Chamber of Commerce events.
Real Estate: Our Realtor Initiative is all about educating local real estate agents about what we do and how we support our award-winning schools.
Political Forum: It’s important to bring local and state-elected officials together to discuss issues that are important to students and their families.
Food for Thought: This initiative partners with local restaurants for spirit nights and fundraising.
INTERVENTION
Another area of focus is Intervention, where the Foundation supports the efforts of Hoover City Schools in the education and prevention of substance abuse, mental health and anti-bullying initiatives. The Foundation also recognizes the importance of partnering with school counselors and administrators to reach students in the classroom who may need intervention.
Other components of our Intervention efforts include:
• Drug Awareness breakfasts held at all three middle schools in partnership with Hoover City Schools and local law enforcement.
• Parent University held at both high schools, focusing on a variety of issues important to teens and their families.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
One way the Foundation helps the professional development of our teachers is by providing grants for conferences. A $1,000 grant to Spain Park’s science department helped fund their trip to Nashville over spring break, where they presented and participated in the National Science Teachers Association National Conference.