The Douglas County Education Foundation (DCEF) announced 42 Classroom Impact Grants to Douglas County School System (DCSS) teachers totaling $30,906.06 in July.

"On behalf of DCEF, we send a special thank you to every applicant that started and completed a Classroom Impact Grant application," said Angelia O'Neal, DCEF Executive Director. "We look forward to seeing the positive impact that these grants will have in each classroom."

The Grants are provided by the Foundation to promote creative and innovative ideas inside and outside the classroom that directly impact student learning. Grants often fund programs, projects, equipment and enrichment opportunities that would not be available through state funds alone.

To receive a Grant, teachers, media specialists, counselors, principals and assistant principals throughout the Douglas County School System submit applications, and Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the top applicants. 

Over the last 15 years, more than $217,000 have been awarded in Classroom Impact Grants to serve thousands of students at all grade levels throughout DCSS. 

Congratulations to this year's Classroom Impact Grant recipients, listed below.

Elementary School

Erika Ruth - Arbor Station Elementary School

Ione Stover - Arbor Station Elementary School

Elizabeth Story - Beulah Elementary School

Aletheia Leavitt - Bill Arp Elementary School

Karen Gorzynski - Bill Arp Elementary School

Elizabeth Shadix - Bright Star Elementary School

Chevette Carter - Burnett Elementary School

K'Asha Davis - Chapel Hill Elementary School

Melissa Wages - Chapel Hill Elementary School

Cameron Sheldon - Chapel Hill Elementary School

Carollynn McMahan - Dorsett Shoals Elementary School

Greta Shipman - Factory Shoals Elementary School

Morgan Newson - Factory Shoals Elementary School

Tina Birdsong - Holly Springs Elementary School

Katie Winslett - Holly Springs Elementary School

Janet Blair - Lithia Springs Elementary School

Crystal Evans - Mason Creek Elementary School

Mandi Slatton - Mason Creek Elementary School

Ana Ingram - Mirror Lake Elementary School

Shanta Williams - New Manchester Elementary School

Nigil Smith - New Manchester Elementary School

Erica Witherspoon - North Douglas Elementary School

Thomas Bruno - South Douglas Elementary School

Jenny Woods - South Douglas Elementary School

Terezie Rice - South Douglas Elementary School

Niamba Johnson - Sweetwater Elementary School

Aubrey Lee - Winston Elementary School

Amber Harrison - Winston Elementary School

Jamie Boemer - Winston Elementary School


Middle School

Alicia Boyard - Turner Middle School

Kasey Haynes - Chapel Hill Middle School

Kelli Crowe - Mason Creek Middle School

Pamela Kingston - Mason Creek Middle School / LEAP

Michelle Hester - Chestnut Log Middle School

Sandy Richardson - Fairplay Middle School

High School

Amanda Backus - Alexander High School

David Brown - The Haven Academy at Alexander High School

Kenya Taylor - Chapel Hill High School


Rhiannon Sims - Chapel Hill High School

Shelly Mitchell - Lithia Springs High School

Teresa Wellmaker - Douglas County High School