Twelve teachers from eight Michigan City public schools received grants from the Barbara A. Carmen Memorial Endowment Fund through Unity Foundation of La Porte County.
The fund was established in 1992 in memory of the late Barbara A. Carmen, a Michigan City Area School’s elementary school teacher. Mrs. Carmen’s family conceived this fund through Unity Foundation to promote excellence in the classroom.
Annual grants are awarded to fund special classroom projects and programs which will enrich curriculum or enhance a teacher’s ability to meet student needs. More than $47,000 has been awarded thus far to finance teacher-directed projects, classroom equipment, and continuing education for teachers.
This year eight applications were approved, totaling $2,817.64. The teachers will reach nearly 530 students with the following projects:
Barker Middle School
Valerie Mecklenburg: Science in My World, $372.72
Edgewood Elementary School
Teresa Pavloff: Mighty Math Master Centers, $331.50
Joy Elementary School
Susan Baldwin & Donna Lynch: Teaching and Learning Sign Language, $299
Knapp Elementary School
Nancy Gonzalez, Connie Althoff, Holly Firanek, & LeeAnn Cahillane: Helping Happy Hands, $335.05
Krueger Middle School
Janine Peo: Pre-Michigan City: A Look Back in Time, $400
Marsh Elementary School
Susan Shell: Calling All Your Senses, $393.98
Pine Magnet School for the Performing and Visual Arts
Elizabeth Schreeg: Access for All, $374.95
Springfield Elementary School
Janelle Spolyar: Interactive Learning with Technology, $310.44