Senator Parker Griffith Announces 2007/2008 Parker Griffith Family Foundation Classroom Grant Recipients

Senator Parker Griffith has announced the 2007/2008 Classroom Grant Recipients from the Parker Griffith Family Foundation. Senator Griffith decided upon his election that his salary would be donated to the foundation, which has increased the number of teachers that have received assistance. Therefore, 123 grants for $200 have been awarded to Huntsville City and Madison County Elementary School Classrooms. Every teacher that applied will be receiving a grant this year. Parker Griffith, who taught seventh grade math before attending medical school, said, “Research shows that early education is critical to children. If children do not learn the basics they may never catch up. The education of our children is one of my top priorities. I am dedicated to working hard for our schools and ensuring that our future is bright by providing our children a quality education.”

Senator Griffith volunteers his time in area local public schools by reading and lecturing in biology and health classes. Spending time in the classroom has given him insight on understanding the needs of area schools. Grants are awarded through a competitive review process.

Area teachers applied to the foundation requesting funding for the purchase of education materials and supplies as well as educator training. Expenses outside the classroom such as field trips or teacher traveling expenses are not considered.

The Foundation’s mission is to provide financial assistance to help teachers thrive in the classroom while providing a productive learning environment for their students. “Teachers face challenges everyday. My family and I want to help teachers and our schools to have the available resources to focus on the critical skills in the first years of our children’s education. We need to seek out the best and most innovative ideas in our classrooms and support them.”

The Parker Griffith Family Foundation was established in 2005 and has given over $50,000 to area teachers and classrooms. The Griffith Family has made it a priority to improve public education by offering support to teachers, administrators, parents, and students in our community. For information on how to apply for the 2008/2009 Classroom Grants please go to www.parkergriffithfamilyfoundation.org.

The following is a list of the Classroom Grantee Recipients: Academy of Science & Foreign Language; Janet Brewer, Katrina Davis, Betty Duncan, Maria Vinson, Blossomwood Elementary; Jennifer Cooper, Jan Ingram, Elizabeth Jones, Teresa Knott, Lyn McQueen, Tammy Morrell, Robin Paul, Erin Russell, Chafee Elementary; Angela Walker, Challenger Elementary; Diane Hasty, Nancy Manguso, Belinda Plemmons, Chapman Elementary; Karen Conner, Susan Matroni, Amy Smith, Beth Washington, East Clinton Elementary; Jennifer Douthit, Farley Elementary; Kathy Barclift, Billie Burns, Molly Johnson, Hampton Cove Elementary; Kristen Britten, Tracy Inman, Highlands Elementary; Carol Ball, Lyn Kerkhof, Linda Hardee, Deborah Hill, Renee Lyons, Laurie Mills, Jones Valley Elementary; Stephanie Cole, Josie Craig, Jennifer Davis, Dianne Debter, Jeanine Doyle, Kristy Dunn, Lisa Felder, Nicole Martin, Barbara Holbrook, Nicole Martin, Beth Massey, Kyra Moseley, Patricia Moy, Elizabeth Siefried, Deborah Smith, Diana Styles, Martin Luther King Elementary; Vicki Whitehead, Lakewood Elementary; LaShawn Banks, Tamica Coleman, Nita Coon, Carolyn Drake, Donna Hannah, McDonnell Elementary; Rhonda Landry, John Pettie, Kathleen Stone, Monte Sano Elementary; Molly Hollis, Kerry Martin, Elizabeth Siefried, Margaret Stone, Montview Elementary; Chandra Branch, Carolyn Jackson, Mary Powers, Cheryl Williams, Morris Elementary; April Draine, Jill Queeney, Mountain Gap Elementary; Janet Ingleright, Linda Reagan, Beckie Roth, Laurene Ring, Providence Elementary; Michelle Barnett, Mike Fama, Elana Holzer, Linda Jackson, Rupal Mack, Kristi Swearengin, Rolling Elementary; Renee Mason, Ann Plenty, Helen Scott, Terry Heights Elementary; Judy Brown, Janice Summerhill, Cindy Wheeler, University Place Elementary; Margaret Burgess, Holly Neal, West Huntsville Elementary; Jacqueline Chandler, Lucille Chavers, West Mastin Lake Elementary; Natalie Cook, Linda Ford, Linda Gray, Yolanda Harris, Alicia Hereford, Edna Fails, Alicisia Adams, Williams Elementary; Gloria Call, Leigh Harrison, Vivian Lockley, Patti McKee, LaToya Pugh, Debbie Shawn, Tracey Stoops, Whitesburg Elementary; Beth Babin, Michelle Beaver, Joy Forsythe, Central Elementary; Mary Lee, Janice Smith, Endeavor Elementary; Shannon Wagner, Hazel Green Elementary; Tracy Van Buren, Angela Misterka, Madison Cross Roads; Haley James, Tammy Jones, Julie Maney, Angela Walker, Monrovia Elementary; Carla Smith, Cindy Waite, Mount Carmel Elementary; Mary Boyer, Susan Young, New Hope Elementary; Angie Butler, Lela Carbin, Karen Hill, Owens Cross Roads Elementary; Michelle McLain, Riverton Elementary; Libbie Orbison on behalf of bus drivers