MURPHYSBORO, Ill. – Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (EECA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the Touchstone Energy Classroom Empowerment Grants for the 2024-25 school year. The grants, each valued at $500, aim to support classroom projects that will improve educational opportunities for the school and students.
The competition was open to both public and private schools within the EECA service territory.
After careful consideration, the following ten educators and projects were selected as this year’s winners:
• Mindy Allen James, English Teacher, Marissa Jr/Sr. High School – Engaging Novels for High School Students
• Maggie Biffar-Sabo, Agriculture Teacher, Coulterville High School – Coulterville Ag & FFA Greenhouse
• Travis Clayton, Learning Behavior Specialist – Carbondale Middle School – Makernauts’ Next Gen Printer
• Sharon Fry, 6th Grade Teacher, Murphysboro Middle School – History Comes Alive
• Kelsie Grant, Speech Language Pathologist, Giant City Elementary School – The Speech Station
• Kim Howard, English Teacher, DeSoto Grade School –Expanding the Library for Lifelong Readers
• Emerick Neitzer, Science Teacher, Brehm Preparatory School, Carbondale – Workshop Revival
• Cheryl A. McCann, Kindergarten Teacher, Trico Elementary School – Classroom Listening Center
• Sara Shepherd, Jr. High Science Teacher, St. John’s Lutheran School, Red Bud – A Practical Approach to Science- Life Skills in the Lab
• Amanda Wetzler, Science Teacher, Red Bud Elementary School – Robotics Club
These projects stood out for their commitment to improving the educational experience for students in creative and impactful ways.