Willow Springs, MIssouri Teacher Recognized for Intergenerational Science Project
Willow Springs, MIssouri Teacher Recognized for Intergenerational Science Project
Left to right: Lavina Grandon, RSC board member; David Ardrey, RSC chairman; Renee Carr and Carol Silvey, RSC board members; Kelly Wardle, Willow Springs Elementary School teacher; Julie Leeth, RSC board member; and Gary Funk, RSC director.
INFORMATION RELEASE
RURAL SCHOOLS COLLABORATIVE/ www.ruralschoolscollaborative.org
CONTACT: Gary Funk, director, 417-848-9083; gfunk@ruralschoolscollaborative.org
November 2, 2015
Willow Springs, MO Elementary School Teacher Receives Grant from the Rural Schools Collaborative in conjunction with Community Foundation of the Ozarks
The Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) recognized a Willow Springs, MO Elementary School teacher for receiving a grant through RSC’s inaugural Grants in Place program. Funds for the grant award were provided in part by the Missouri-based Community Foundation of the Ozarks and individual donors.
Willow Springs first grade students and their teacher, Kelly Wardle, were awarded a $995 grant to conduct an intergenerational, cross-curricular project entitled A New Beginning, focusing on the life cycle of butterflies. The project includes a variety of literature with adults participating with the first graders in the reading process.
The presentation was made during the Ozarks Teacher Corps fall meeting, which was held at the Missouri State University-Mountain Grove campus on October 29th. The Ozarks Teacher Corps is a program of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ Rural Schools Partnership, and the Rural Schools Collaborative assisted with facilitating the meeting. Ms. Wardle also presented her project to the Ozarks Teacher Corps members.
The Rural Schools Collaborative was organized in 2014 and launched in April 2015. RSC believes that community-based instruction, thoughtful collaboration, and targeted philanthropy strengthen the fabric of rural places. Its Grants in Place program is funding 35 innovative projects in seven states.
The organization is currently engaged in eight states with an administrative office in Cambridge, Wisconsin.