JACKSON, Tenn. (Oct. 20, 2022) – Leaders Education Foundation, a non-profit 501C-3 formed by Leaders Credit Union, is pleased to award twenty West Tennessee educators with the L.E.A.D.S. Educator Grant. This program awards twenty $1,000 grants to area educators whose initiatives empower students to Learn, Experience, Advocate, Dream, and Serve.
“The L.E.A.D.S. Educator Grant embodies who we are as an organization because we are here to serve, advocate and encourage our members and allow them to dream of a new future,” said Leigh Anne Bentley, President of Leaders Education Foundation. “We know that by supporting these educators’ projects, students’ lives will be better.”
Grant proposals range from funds for new literature novels, a classroom economy project, maintaining outdoor classrooms and gardens, and supplying CPR equipment. Grant submissions included a short video explaining the need and use of the grant money. Thirty-six proposals
were submitted, and the top twenty winners were chosen by the community via social media voting.
Recipients of the L.E.A.D.S. Grant include:
• Professor Matt Barker- Freed-Hardeman University
• Erin Ozment- Bartlett High School
• Brittany Lewis- East Chester Elementary School
• Sara Billingsly- Madison Academic Magnet High School
• Tekia Buntyn- Jackson Central-Merry Middle School
• Nicoll Burleson- Augustine School
• Kelly Rea- Hillcrest Elementary School
• Missi Hardin- Community Montessori School
• Cindy Emison- Arlington Elementary School
• Dr. Callie Dollar- Community Montessori School
• Kristen Roberson- Freed-Hardeman University
• Dr. Penny White- Bartlett High School
• Rhonda Grammer- Elmore Park Middle School
• Dr. Callandra Ellison-Williamson- Lincoln Elementary School
• Julie Cartwright- Stigall Primary School
• Charo Lovings- Isaac Lane Elementary School
• Marcie Autry- Community Montessori School
• Lindsey Barnes- Community Montessori School
• Georg Pingen- Union University
• Cassandra Nichols- Rivercrest Elementary School
“We’ve been amazed by each grant submission we received,” Bentley said. “We want to support the teacher and their creativity because that’s our passion.”
About Leaders Education Foundation
Leaders Education Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 organization based in Jackson, Tenn. Established in 2019, the Foundation allows community-minded citizens, members, and organizations to unite to make lives better, together. The Foundation invests in the local community through scholarships, grants, and financial literacy resources to provide educational opportunities promoting workforce development, job enhancement, lifelong learning, and
training for students, teachers, and our community. For more information about the Leaders Education Foundation, please visit leadersgives.org.