Empowering New Teachers: Foundation Awards Grants Across Beaufort County

Left to Right: Dr. Roger Ward (H.E. McKracken Middle School Principal), Leslie Eastman (H.E. McKracken Middle School ELA teacher), Carole Ramsey (Foundation Board Member), Susan Romero (H.E. McKracken Middle School 6th Grade Assistant Principal)

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

Left to Right: Carole Ramsey (Foundation Board Member), Jianhui Wang (Battery Creek High School Teacher), Denise Lessard (Battery Creek High School Principal)

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

Left to Right: Clinton Austin (Hilton Head Island Middle School Principal), Carole Ramsey (Foundation Board Member), Jacob Kuehn (Hilton Head Island Middle School Teacher), Lisa Adamsky (WAHHI Treasurer), Jan Stallmeyer (WAHHI), Maelda Chalk (Hilton Head Island Middle School Assistant Principal) and Gina Hines (WAHHI Member)

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.

Left to Right: Kim Dempsey (Foundation Board Member), Isabel Smith (Whale Branch Early College High School Teacher) and Dr. Sonji B. Leach (Whale Branch Early College High School Teacher)

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

Left to Right: Dr. Webb (May River High School Principal), Joseph Sarno (May River High School Teacher), and Connie Johnson (Foundation Board Member)

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

Left to Right: Christine Brown (Bluffton Elementary School Principal), Everett Dowdy (Bluffton Elementary School Teacher), and Connie Johnson (Foundation Board Member)

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