OCCF Announces 2025 Teachers’ Classroom Tools Grant Recipients

The program provides grants to Rising Sun-Ohio County School Corporation teachers.

(Rising Sun, Ind.) - The Ohio County Community Foundation recently awarded $9,574.97 in Teachers’ Classroom Tools Grants to several teachers in the Rising-Sun Ohio County School Corporation.

The program provides grants to Rising Sun-Ohio County School Corporation teachers to purchase teaching tools, supplies or fund trips that enhance projects, programs and curriculum in the classroom. Each teacher may request up to $1,000.

The following teachers were awarded a grant:

• Lindsey Merica, Grades 9 - 12 English/Language Arts & Grade 8 Honors English, awarded $950 to purchase Guide Posters and Teacher Resource Sets.
• Andrea Levi, Grades 9-12 Chemistry, awarded $992.26 to purchase Biology materials and equipment for a better learning experience.
• Amberly King, Grades Pre-School - 12, awarded $840 to purchase rolling display boards to display student artwork.
• Emmalea Musselman, Grades 6 – 8 Special Education, awarded $300 to purchase Text-to-Teach devices.
• Tim Slayback, Grades 6-12 Construction and Industrial Maintenance, awarded $1,000.00 to purchase a Wood & Metal Lathes to be able to produce projects.
• Elinor Kelnhofer, Grades 6 – 12 Family & Consumer Sciences & Human Services, awarded $999.87 to purchase Kitchen Aide mixes as well as attachments to help with live skills classes.
• Candy Southard, Pre-School, awarded $490 for the purchase of Language Arts & Match Materials.
• Hannah Ozbun, Grades 6 – 8, awarded $685 to purchase Science Hands-on supplies.
• Britney White, Grades 6 – 8, awarded $1,000 to purchase supplies for Chemistry/Biology lab experiments.
• Jayden McAlister, Grades 9 -12, awarded $999.80 to purchase BioMed lab activities supplies.
• Nicole Bailey, Kindergarten, awarded $200 to purchase food supplies for cooking in the classroom.
• Kayla Cizek, Pre-School – Grade 8, awarded $500 towards fees, supplies and snacks for a social-emotional field trip.
• Carrie Lozier, Grades 6 – 8, awarded $618.04 to purchase math manipulatives to assist in the classroom.

The Teachers’ Classroom Tools Endowment fund is administered by the Ohio County Community Foundation. Donations may be made in honor of a current or past teacher or in memory or honor of a loved one who values education.

Donations can me be mailed to the Ohio County Community Foundation, 330 Industrial Access Drive, PO Box 170, Rising Sun, IN 47040. Donations are tax deductible and will assist in providing future grants to Rising Sun Ohio County School Corporation teachers. Questions concerning the Teachers’ Classroom Tools Grants Program can be directed to any Foundation staff member at 812-438-9401 or by emailing Tracy Stegemiller, Program Coordinator, at tstegemiller@occfrisingsun.com.