Pioneer Electric awards Energy For Learning grants to local teachers
Published 8:01 pm Sunday, December 1, 2024
Pioneer Electric team members Jeannetta Lewis (far left) and Christi Scruggs (far right) present W.O. Parmer Elementary School teacher Christina Brumbeloe with an Energy For Learning grant to help purchase Magna Tiles for her classroom. Photo courtesy of Pioneer Electric.
Butler County Career Academy teacher Bridgett Cook will use her Energy For Learning grant funds to create STEAM kits with her Educators in Training.
Pioneer Electric lineman Kevin Brogden (right) presents Darlene Odom (center) with a $500 Energy For Learning grant, joined by McKenzie School Principal Michael Collins (left). Photo by Pioneer Electric.
Pioneer Electric lineman Kevin Brogden (right) presents an Energy For Learning grant to Jessica Tadlock at McKenzie School. Photo courtesy of Pioneer Electric.
Georgiana School’s Judy Smith (second from left) receives her Energy For Learning Grant, joined by Georgiana School Counselor Allison Hall (left) and Georgiana School Coach Carlton Edwards. Photo courtesy of Pioneer Electric.
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Pioneer Electric Cooperative is proud to announce the recipients of its 2024 Energy For Learning, awarded to 10 local teachers to support innovative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) projects in their classrooms. These grants, funded by the cooperative’s Operation Round Up foundation, highlight Pioneer Electric’s commitment to empowering education and fostering growth in the communities it serves.
Through Energy For Learning grants, Pioneer Electric aims to provide resources for projects that spark curiosity, deepen learning and inspire the next generation of innovators. Selected projects range from robotics and coding activities to hands-on science experiments and art-infused technology lessons.
“Supporting our local educators is one of the most impactful ways we can invest in our communities,” said Pioneer Electric VP of Communications Christi Scruggs. “These teachers are shaping the future, and we are proud to help bring their creative ideas to life.”
Christina Brumbeloe received an Energy For Learning grant to help purchase Magna Tiles for her classroom. This hands-on activity will allow students at W.O. Parmer Elementary to design and build their own cities.
Butler County Career Academy teacher Bridgett Cook will use her Energy For Learning grant funds to create STEAM kits with her Educators in Training. These high school students will then use the kits to teach K-5 students about STEAM concepts.
Darlene Odom, a teacher at McKenzie School, was awarded a $500 Energy For Learning grant. Odom will use her funds to purchase VEX GO robotics supplies for her fourth-grade students.
Jessica Tadlock at McKenzie School will use her grant award to teach students about lighting design in theatrical productions.
Georgiana School’s Judy Smith received an Energy For Learning Grant, funding she plans to use to purchase Coding Critters kits to teach K-4 students about coding.
Operation Round Up, the funding source for these grants, is powered by the generosity of Pioneer Electric members who voluntarily round up their monthly bills to the nearest dollar. The spare change collected from this program directly supports initiatives like the Energy For Learning grants and other community-focused programs.
Pioneer Electric Cooperative congratulates the following grant recipients:
- Christina Brumbeloe, W.O. Parmer Elementary School
- Susan Butts, Hayneville Middle School and Lowndes Middle School
- Bridgette Cook, Butler County Career Academy
- Alex Medina, Southside High School
- Nancy Nelson, Keith Middle High School
- Darlene Odom, McKenzie School
- Porsha Oliver-Hall, Southside High School
- Judy Smith, Georgiana School
- Jessica Tadlock, McKenzie School
- Stephanie Williams, J.E. Hobbs Elementary School
About Pioneer Electric Cooperative
Pioneer Electric Cooperative is dedicated to providing reliable energy and exceptional service to its members while fostering community growth and education. Guided by the cooperative principle of serving people, not making profits, Pioneer Electric continues to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves.
The Operation Round Up program is just one of the many ways Pioneer Electric gives back to local communities. Since the program’s inception in 2021, the Foundation has awarded more than $300,000 in grants to individuals and organizations. More information about Operation Round Up is available at www.pioneerelectric.com/operation-round.
