Julie Brown of North Moore High School in Robbins

Randolph EMC recently honored educators and celebrated innovation by awarding $12,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to nine local educators. 

Lane Prince of Page Street Elementary poses with Instructional Facilitator, Rachel Leonard.

“We at Randolph EMC commend these educators on their efforts to enlighten and aid their students during an especially difficult year,” said Nicole Arnold, Communications and Public Affairs Manager.  “We are thrilled to provide their creative projects with funding and recognition at a crucial time for education.”

Bright Ideas grants, sponsored by REMC and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, are available to Tar Heel teachers for innovative, hands-on, classroom projects that would not otherwise be funded. Since 1994 North Carolina’s electric cooperatives collectively have awarded more than $12.9 million in Bright Ideas funding for nearly 12,359 projects supporting teachers and benefitting more than 2.5 million students. 

The 2020 grants were awarded to the following educators and schools:

• Lance Barber of West End Elementary won $720 for his project, STEP UP!  
• Joy Sudduth of East Middle School won $1,080 for her project, EC Technology.
• Lane Prince of Page Street Elementary won $1,000 for her project, Building Relationships and Culture through Learning. 
• Julie Brown of North Moore High won $1,900 for her project, School-based Enterprise.
• Jennifer Samulski and Kathryn Gillispie of Randleman Elementary won $650 for their project, Sensory Tiger Trails. 

From Uwharrie Charter Academy, four teachers secured funding for their projects.  They include: 

• Chrissy Neelon won $1,950 for her project, Laser in the Future;  
• Suzanne Bryant won $800 for the Unity in Community Book Challenge; 
• Elizabeth Farmer won $2,000 for MudWatts in the Classroom; and
• Carol Munro won $1,900 for Rocketbooks for Engagement.