Grants to enhance learning awarded to Seaborn teachers

Two Seaborn Elementary School teachers received nearly $1,000 in grant funding to purchase flexible seating and to start a school-wide reading program.

Two Seaborn Elementary School teachers were recently recognized after receiving nearly $1,000 in grant funding to support classroom projects. Second-grade teacher Tracy Gilson had a DonorsChoose request for flexible seating fully funded. The announcement was delivered by Jennifer Johnson Sotlar of the Horace Mann Educators Corporation, a DonorsChoose partner. Fifth-grade teacher Heather Ault received a $500 grant from the Trumbull Retired Teachers Association to launch a Readers Lead initiative. Details: - Tracy Gilson’s DonorsChoose request totaled about $360 and covers six balance ball chairs and one wobble chair. - The flexible seating is intended to help students manage movement and support focus, and the seating is expected to arrive in six to eight weeks. - Jennifer Johnson Sotlar, a Mineral Ridge graduate and Horace Mann executive, presented the DonorsChoose funding and classroom supplies from a Horace Mann partner. - Heather Ault was awarded $500 by the Trumbull Retired Teachers Association to start Readers Lead, a building-wide program to foster reading and cross-grade connections. - Grant funds for Readers Lead will purchase grade-appropriate books, story-based puppet characters, and a sharing library stand for the school. Summary: The grants provide material support for classroom seating and for a school-wide reading initiative and are expected to supply new seating within six to eight weeks and to fund books and program materials for Readers Lead. The Readers Lead program will involve fifth- and sixth-grade student council members visiting primary classrooms to read aloud and lead follow-up activities.