May 2021
Volume 1 Issue 2
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The Foundation for Educational Excellence seeks and sustains county-wide
charitable and educational resources that support the mission and goals
of the public schools of Beaufort County, South Carolina.
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We Applaud the Amazing Educators of Beaufort County |
It has been a school year like no other and we applaud the teachers who have risen to meet the challenges. On behalf of the board of directors for our Foundation, we extend our respect and support for each of you during National Teachers Appreciation Week and EVERY week. Thank you for your dedication and creativity! We were also challenged to change our focus as a nonprofit in support of the school district.
In this edition of our newsletter, read some of the exciting ways we took action for our students, teachers, and schools.
Lisa Carroll, Foundation Board Chair
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Teacher of the Year - Grant Update |
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In October, The Foundation for Educational Excellence presented the Dr. Wayne Carbiener “Above and Beyond” Teacher of the Year award to Dr. Megan Deweese, a first-grade educator at Okatie Elementary.
With the $1,000 Teacher of the Year Grant award, Megan started two bird and butterfly gardens at Okatie Elementary. She was able to order bird houses, bird feeders, bird baths, a large selection of native plants and flowers, hummingbird feeders, butterfly waterers, and many other items to contribute to the gardens. Each student also started a small garden with a mix of plants at his/her house to attract and feed butterflies.
Megan reported, “I am so excited to share with you that I was able to use the award to teach my students about animals, their environments, and about helping those who cannot help themselves. We will expand on this project next year and students will add to their home gardens.”
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Innovative Grants In Action |
The Foundation awarded 19 Innovative Teacher and School Resource grants totaling more than $23,000 throughout the Beaufort County School District. These grants are impacting 3,837 students of all ages by providing unique learning opportunities. Projects funded range from science to the arts and everything in between.
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The virtual 4th grade class at River Ridge Elementary is learning to read music and play ukuleles purchased with a grant awarded to teacher, Megan Baldwin. The program is called, "Uke Can Do It." Megan tells us, “It wouldn’t be possible without the Foundation!”
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These students at Michael C. Riley Elementary are exploring concepts learned in the classroom in new and innovative ways with the "Taking the Learning Outdoors" innovative grant awarded to teacher Kathy Wipper.
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Grant Leads To Creation of New Museum |
Women In Philanthropy presented a grant in 2019 for the Whale Branch Middle School’s Archeology Club. Their project, “Revolution in the Lowcountry” is making news for the significant artifacts discovered near the school from the American Revolutionary War era and the Civil War era. A museum wall is being created to showcase the discoveries made at Whale Branch.
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Left to right - Robert Gecy, Eugene Brugger,
Dr. Pamela Storey, Dr. Daniel Battle
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Deborah Colella, Immediate Past Foundation Chair and the grant writer for this project, is working with a team of enthusiastic volunteers to create the museum wall. They include Dr. Pamela Storey, Eugene Brugger MEd, Dr. Daniel Battle, archeologist and donor of artifacts, Robert Gecy Photography, who has done drone mapping, and Fred Lawton, Whale Branch Middle School principal.
The museum will have an official opening in September.
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Foundation for
Educational Excellence
2020/21 Board Members
Lisa Carroll, Chair
Karen Beltz, Vice Chair
John Mosca, Treasurer
Deborah Colella, EdD, Immediate Past Chair
Cindy Sturgis, Secretary
Michel Claudio
Christopher (Chris) Epps
Carole T. Ingram
Elizabeth Lee Johnson, PhD
Carol McHugh
Maryanne Rizzi
Cristin Casper,
Ex Officio, B.C.S.D. Liaison
Jackie Rosswurm, PhD, Ex Officio
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When you do your online shopping at Amazon Smiles,
they give our Foundation a percentage of each purchase! Click on the logo above and shop 'til you drop for
a GREAT cause!
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Why not honor Mom on Mother's Day with a
FUND-A-GRANT given in her name!
A donation of $100 or more can be given to honor
Mom, Dad, or anyone! You can even specify the school or program, such as the arts or science.
For more information, contact:
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Please consider making a donation to the Foundation for Educational Excellence. Our innovative grants are supported by your donations.
Our students are depending on the Foundation…
and the Foundation is depending on your support.
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Funding for grants to local teachers and schools is provided, in part, by these exceptional organizations. We want to thank each of them on behalf of all the teachers and students in the Beaufort County School District, for their generosity to the efforts of our Foundation.
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THE BARGAIN BOX for many, many years of funding Innovative Grants |
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FRIENDS OF CALLAWASSIE ISLAND for funding Innovative Grants |
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Tutoring and Materials & Technology for 5 Hilton Head Island schools |
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Special thanks to
JOHN TROUTMAN and a matching grant from Merrill Lynch for funding 2 financial courses at Beaufort High
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MOSS CREEK
CHARITABLE FUND
for Innovative Grants at
2 Bluffton Schools
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WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY
Fall grants for tutoring at Shanklin Elementary School & Robert Smalls International Academy, & their ongoing funding for the Whale Branch museum project
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Finally, THANKS to all the great citizens of the Lowcountry
who have made individual contributions to help us support our schools and students this year!
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See MORE of the amazing efforts to support our students and teachers.
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