Junior League, Community Foundation and JPS award about $103,000 in teacher mini-grants

Jackson Public Schools and community partners announced the award of $102,972.81 in teacher mini-grants funded through a partnership between the Junior League of Jackson and the Community Foundation of Mississippi.

District and Junior League speakers described the program as a long-running partnership that began with a small pilot and has since funded teacher-led classroom projects. Superintendent Dr. Eric Green and volunteers said the grants enable teachers to implement creative, hands-on projects that go beyond standard classroom supplies.

The meeting included a detailed list of awards by school. Examples announced in the meeting include: Green Elementary — $319.95; Key Elementary — $1,044.69; Obama Elementary — $3,063.16; McWillie Elementary — $4,346.74; Bates Elementary — $4,907.92; Forest Hill — $5,000; Isabel Elementary — $5,537; Galloway Elementary — $9,988; Johnson Elementary — $10,904.13; North Jackson Elementary — $11,039.57; Boyd Elementary — $12,194.62; Pecan Park — $17,678.31; Spann Elementary — $19,348.56. The transcript lists several other awards and project names by school.

Speakers credited long-term leaders and volunteers — including Gail Adams and Junior League volunteers — for coordinating grant review, evaluation and distribution. The district said the mini-grants have totaled more than $2 million since the program began and that the grants support a range of projects including language support, math manipulatives, sensory integration and arts projects.

District and partner leaders asked principals and teachers to continue submitting proposals and thanked volunteers who evaluate applications.