Coastal Electric Cooperative and its foundation awarded 16 grants totaling over $22,000 last week to teachers in Bryan, Liberty and McIntosh counties. The winning teachers were caught by surprise when Bright Ideas Prize Patrol members came to their classrooms to present them with giant balloon bouquets, gifts and checks.
Earlier this year, teachers were invited to apply online through the Coastal Electric Cooperative website for grants of up to $2,000 each. The Bright Ideas program is designed to encourage teachers to develop creative, innovative programs that otherwise might not be funded through school systems. A panel of independent judges reviews and scores the applications.
The local Richmond Hill area winners are:
• Kelly Sisney  of Richmond Hill Pre-K won a $1,833.45 grant for her project, “Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education.”
• Christy Crowley of Dr. George Washington Carver Elementary School won a $1,329.54 grant for her project, “Wellness Challenge Series.”
• Bivins Miller of Richmond Hill High School won a $1,996 grant for his project, “3D Prints for Education.”
• Damon Smith of Richmond Hill High School won a $1,999.96 grant for his project, “Integrating STEM Activities through Robotics.”
• Carla Howard of Richmond Hill High School won a $1,007.85 grant for her project, “Reading Reach-out.”
Since the program’s inception in 2002, more than $200,000 has been awarded to local teachers. The grants give teachers the power to put their creative-teaching ideas into action. Applications are accepted from teachers instructing students in grades K-12.
Bright Ideas is funded by donations from the cooperative’s members who participate in Operation Round Up. That program lets members round up their electric bills to the nearest whole dollar. The change is turned over to the Coastal Electric Cooperative Foundation to assist with food, health, shelter, safety and educational needs in the community.
Coastal Electric Cooperative is a customer-owned power supplier serving 17,000 members in Bryan, Liberty, Long and McIntosh counties.