As part of a program to recognize and encourage new school teachers, the Mississippi Power Education Foundation awarded $1,000 grants to ten individuals currently in their first year of teaching. The winners will be honored at a luncheon January 21 in Hattiesburg.

“First year teachers often have an extremely difficult transition into their chosen profession,” said Niki Plitt, executive director of the Education Foundation. “In addition to learning a tough new job, they also sometimes face a shortage of supplies and other resources necessary to be effective in the classroom. This program was established to try to help with those challenges.”

Each of the winning teachers may spend their awards on whatever they think will best benefit their classrooms and students.

Recipients, all of whom are graduates of Mississippi universities, include: Amy King, who teaches gifted studies grades 2-6 at Star Reach Elementary in Laurel; Lee Blackburn, an 8th grade math/Algebra I teacher at Southeast Lauderdale Middle School in Meridian; Penny Easterling, a 4th grade reading teacher at Scott Central Attendance Center in Forest; Elizabeth Quave, who teaches 9th and 11th grade English at Vancleave High School; Dixie Pigford, a 4th grade mathematics, science and social studies teacher at Oakland Heights Elementary in Meridian; Amanda Rogers, who teaches grades 9-12 pre-Algebra, Algebra I and Geometry at Stone County High School in Wiggins; Kimberly Ricks, a 7th and 8th grade math teacher at South Leake High School in Walnut Grove; Glenna Rasco, a 6th grade language arts, math, reading, science and social studies teacher at Rawls Springs Attendance Center in Hattiesburg; Barbara Borho, a 5th grade teacher at Bayou View Elementary School; and Christen Montiforte, who teaches K-12 English, social studies and reading at St. Peter the Apostle Elementary in Pascagoula.

“We know the need to attract, reward and retain quality teachers is essential to the success of our schools,” said Plitt. “These young educators have already made an impressive beginning, and we wish them long and happy careers as Mississippi educators. We hope these grants will help them know how important they are to the students they teach and how much they are valued by the communities they represent.”

Since 1984, the Mississippi Power Education Foundation has supported excellence in education in Mississippi. During the past 20 years, the foundation has awarded more than $3 million in grants to teachers, schools, school systems and educational projects.

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