Thirteen first-year teachers in Alabama schools have been chosen to receive $1,000 grants from the Alabama Power Foundation for classroom materials and supplies.

Grant candidates were submitted by the state’s public teacher colleges. Winners were selected by a committee that included education school deans. Each winner graduated from a state-approved teacher program at an Alabama public four-year college or university.

“Improving education in our state is a central focus of the Alabama Power Foundation,” said John Hudson, president of the foundation. “The New Teacher Grant program is an important way that we support teachers and students across the state. These grants empower Alabama’s most promising teachers during their first year in the classroom.”

The grant winners, the schools where they teach and the colleges where they earned their degrees are:

• Ke'haulani Carpenter, Coldwater Elementary (Anniston), Jacksonville State University             
• Jasmine Crittendon, J.E. Williams Elementary (Huntsville), Alabama A&M University 
• James H. Dunkle, Phenix City Elementary, Troy University - Phenix City Campus                     
• Jillian Leigh Eshelman, Morris Avenue Intermediate School (Auburn), Auburn University at Montgomery             
• Nina Mothershed, Davis Elementary (Montgomery), Alabama State University                 
• Carlie Ann Nygra, New Brockton Elementary, Troy University     
• Karlin Phillips, Green Valley Elementary (Hoover), University of Alabama at Birmingham                                
• Thomas Smith, Hibbett Middle School (Florence), University of North Alabama 
• Teresa M. Starr, New Brockton Elementary, Troy University - Dothan Campus                      
• Whitney Faulkner Sutherland, Rolling Hills Elementary (Huntsville), Athens State University
• Erica Marie Vatella, Auburn High School, Auburn University
• Morgan Vickers, Brookwood Middle School (Vance), University of Alabama
• Lauren Welch, Kate Shepard Elementary (Mobile), University of South Alabama.                                  

Each year, the Alabama Power Foundation awards more than 1,000 grants, using nonratepayer money. Since it was founded in 1989 with funds donated by Alabama Power shareholders, the foundation has given more than $150 million through more than 20,000 grants and scholarships.

To learn more about the foundation and Alabama Power’s community and volunteer programs, please visit www.powerofgood.com.