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Local teachers receive “Impact Grants” for classroom projects from Aera Energy



San Ardo, Calif. – Five local teachers in South Monterey County were recently awarded a total of $2,500 in “Impact Grants” by Aera Energy. The Aera grants provide financial support for educational programming that enhances the academic development of students. Applicants must apply for the grants and provide a description of their desired project, how students will be impacted and how success of the project will be measured.

“There’s nothing much better than watching students get excited about reading or science,” said Kathy Miller, Aera public affairs coordinator for Monterey County. “When teachers are able to bring new activities and materials to the classroom, great things happen for students.”

A $500 grant was awarded to San Lucas Union School District teacher Tom Carvey, Aera’s first-ever grant to that school district.

“Students are fascinated by things that fly,” said Carvey, who teachers grades 6-8. “With the grant, I was able to purchase water bottle rockets, kites and more to allow students to explore different types of flight. These hands-on experiments are fantastic opportunities for students to learn beyond a book.”

Grants were also awarded to San Ardo Union Elementary School District teachers Amy Ardouin, Kristen Kelley, Luis Rojas and Tamara Vonderheide. Each teacher received $500 to boost their classroom libraries with new books, to provide materials needed for small group instruction and a video trainer for use in robotics programming.

“I am creating the first robotics competition team at San Ardo School and the video trainer will help students learn about coding,” explained Rojas. “But they’ll also be learning about teamwork, communication and other important life skills. I can’t wait to get started.”

San Ardo teacher Tamara Vonderheide is putting her grant to use with a focus on student performance.

“I am thrilled to be working with my students in San Ardo,” she said. “Aera’s grant has enabled me to purchase materials for small group instruction that reinforces skills and concepts taught in our regular curriculum. Studies show that the interaction in small groups improves student understanding and comprehension. I wouldn’t have been able to get these materials without Aera’s support.

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