N.C. Co-ops Recognize Tar Heel Teachers of the Week

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, in partnership with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, are honoring exceptional educators from across the state as their Bright Ideas Tar Heel Teachers of the Week. This annual initiative recognizes outstanding teachers who have received a Bright Ideas Education Grant from their local electric cooperative.

Sulnora Spencer Oluyemi, Four County EMC’s Tar Heel Teacher of the Week (right), with school principal Robin Cooper

In addition to local recognition, each Bright Ideas Tar Heel Teacher of the Week, their school and award-winning grant proposal will be recognized during the radio broadcast of a UNC men’s basketball game.

“North Carolina is home to truly amazing educators, and especially during this challenging school year, we want to recognize them for their ingenuity, hard work and commitment to engaging their students through creative learning projects,” said Lindsey Listrom, communications and media relations manager for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

Jason Vansant, Tar Heel Teacher for Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative

Teachers of the Week were nominated by their local electric cooperative for demonstrating exceptional commitment to students and creativity in the classroom. Their projects cover subjects ranging from engineering to music, and in all cases, helped students achieve greater success.

To hear Bright Ideas recipients recognized on the radio, tune in to the live broadcast of a Tar Heels men’s basketball game on any of the 45 radio stations statewide that are Tar Heel sports affiliates.

Since the grant program began in 1994, educators statewide have received more than $13.6 million in Bright Ideas funding, and more than 2.7 million North Carolina students have been impacted by nearly 13,000 Bright Ideas-funded projects. Grants are awarded annually for projects in all grade levels and subject areas.

Educators with creative ideas for innovative classroom projects can learn more about the program at ncbrightideas.com. Applications for 2021-22 grants will be accepted beginning April 1.

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