This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives are celebrating all the outstanding teachers in our state who, despite the circumstances of the past year, have adapted to provide exceptional education to N.C. students. Thank you, teachers!
They have overcome instructional challenges by creating new and more effective ways to reach their students and stimulate learning in virtual environments and in classrooms. In many cases, creative ideas came to life through Bright Ideas grants. Take Little River Elementary school teacher, Theresa Torian, who partnered with Piedmont Electric to purchase an interactive virtual science curriculum for students. The tech allows the students to “get up close and see how things work,” says Torian in this feature by ABC 11.
To keep up with stories like this and see the many ways teachers in our communities are implementing creative strategies to engage students, connect with Bright Ideas online. Follow Bright Ideas on Facebook at facebook.com/ncbrightideas and on Twitter at @ncbrightideas or #NCBrightIdeas. Help us share the good news far and wide!
North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives believe there is no better investment than in the education of our future leaders. This year, an estimated $600,000 in Bright Ideas funding will be awarded statewide to exceptional K-12 educators whose creative and original projects will inspire today’s youth. Teachers can apply by Aug. 16 for a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards in a statewide drawing. The final application deadline is Sept. 15 in most locations; however, some co-ops may have an earlier or extended deadline. Visit www.ncbrightideas.com for more information and find your local co-op.
The Bright Ideas Education Grant program, sponsored by North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives, advances excellence in education and accelerates student learning by providing funds for innovative projects. Since the program began in 1994, educators statewide have received more than $13.6 million in Bright Ideas grant funding for nearly 12,922 projects benefiting 2.7 million North Carolina students.
Together with our consumer members, North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives are creating a brighter future for North Carolina’s rural people and communities. Our actions are guided by our local roots, and we are committed to demonstrating the cooperative principle of “concern for community” through continued initiatives including Bright Ideas Education Grants and beyond.
From all of us at North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, thank you, teachers!