At the Foundation for Educational Excellence, we believe in the power of education to shape the future. That’s why we are excited to announce the recipients of our “Helping Build a Teacher’s Toolkit” grant initiative, which supports first- and second-year teachers across the Beaufort County School District (BCSD). This year, 10 passionate and dedicated educators received the $500 grants to enhance their classrooms and better serve their students.
Supporting the Next Generation of Educators
The “Helping Build a Teacher’s Toolkit” program is designed to provide new teachers with the resources they need to thrive beyond standard classroom supplies. Whether it’s math manipulatives, classroom costumes, flexible seating, or organizational tools, these grants are meant to address the unique needs that often arise for new teachers—items that can make a world of difference in creating an engaging and dynamic learning environment.
How It Works
To qualify for the grant, teachers in their first or second year in the BCSD were invited to submit an application, detailing the supplies they wished to purchase for their classrooms. Applicants were also required to provide letters of recommendation from their principal or mentor teacher. The Foundation’s Board reviewed the submissions and selected 10 teachers to receive $500 grants each.
The initiative is made possible through the generosity of several donors, including the Women’s Association of Hilton Head Island (WAHHI), former Foundation Board Member Deborah Colella, and the Foundation for Educational Excellence itself. Together, these contributions have helped make this program a reality for new teachers across the district.
A Lasting Impact
One of the unique features of this program is the long-term impact of the materials purchased with the grant funds. Whether it’s educational games or flexible seating arrangements, the supplies selected by these teachers will be used for many years to come, impacting countless students. This sustainability is a key factor in the Foundation’s goal to provide meaningful and lasting support for the educators shaping the future of Beaufort County.
The “Helping Build a Teacher’s Toolkit” initiative was launched in late 2021 after discussions among Foundation board members, many of whom are retired educators. These board members are acutely aware of the challenges faced by new teachers in the classroom and wanted to find a way to offer tangible support. By offering $500 grants each year, the Foundation hopes to ease some of the burden on these teachers and help them focus on what matters most: educating the next generation.
Looking to the Future
The success of this initiative is just one example of how the Foundation for Educational Excellence is committed to supporting educators and students across Beaufort County. If you would like to help with our mission of supporting our teachers and students, please make a donation today. Together, we can help build a brighter future for every
child in Beaufort County.
As we celebrate these 10 outstanding educators, we’re reminded of the critical role teachers play in shaping the future of our community. Through initiatives like the “Helping Build a Teacher’s Toolkit” grants, the Foundation for Educational Excellence is proud to stand alongside our teachers, offering them the support they need to succeed and make a lasting impact in their classrooms. We look forward to continuing our work to enhance educational experiences for all students in Beaufort County.
The educators receiving grants included:
Teacher | School | Grade/Class |
McKenzie Bitz | Lady's Island Middle School | 7th Grade/Social Studies |
Sydney Cox | Coosa Elementary School | 4th Grade |
Everett Dowdy | Bluffton Elementary School | 2nd & 5th Grades |
Leslie Eastman | H.E. McCracken Middle School | 6th Grade/ELA |
Stephanie Hooker | Whale Branch Elementary School | 1st Grade |
Jacob Kuehn | Hilton Head Island Middle School | 6th Grade Math |
Joseph Sarno | May River High School | 9th-10th Grade World History/Government |
Isabel Smith | Whale Branch Early College High School | Special Education |
Jessica Stevens | Red Cedar Elementary School | K-2nd Grade Support |
Jianhui Wang | Battery Creek High School | World Language |
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