BIRMINGHAM – Fourteen first-year teachers from across Alabama are winners of this year`s New Teacher Grants, sponsored by the Alabama Power Service Organization.

The winning public school teachers are graduates of state-approved teacher programs at Alabama`s public four-year colleges and universities. Winners each receive a $1,000 grant to buy classroom materials and supplies.

“We are delighted to recognize and support these new teachers,” said Carla Roberson, manager of Education and Volunteer Services for Alabama Power. “They certainly earned the distinction as winners. But their students are also winners, as the money will enhance the educational opportunities in their classrooms.”

The Alabama Power Service Organization has awarded grants to new teachers since 1995. Candidates are submitted by the state’s public teacher colleges. Winners are selected by a committee that includes education school deans.

The Alabama Power Service Organization includes more than 4,000 Alabama Power, Southern Nuclear and Southern Company employees and their families who give their time to help improve communities. Last year, the organization contributed more than 50,000 hours to worthy projects across Alabama.

Supporting education is one of the priorities of Alabama Power. In recent years, Alabama Power has worked closely with educators to help children and teachers in the classroom through a variety of initiatives and programs. The Alabama Power Foundation also supports education by providing grants to students, teachers, colleges and universities, and other educational institutions.

This year’s winners of the New Teacher Grants, the schools where they are employed and the colleges where they earned their education degrees:

• Christopher Baker; E.R. Dickson Elementary, Mobile; University of South Alabama.

• Wendy Fortner; Thorsby School; University of Montevallo.

• Sheilena Golonka, Sparkman High, Harvest; Alabama A&M University.

• Amber Goolsby; Charles Henderson Middle, Troy; Troy University.

• James Hardin; Tuscaloosa Middle; University of Alabama.

• Debra Lawler; Russellville West Elementary; Athens State University.

• Christopher Littleton; Dallas County High, Plantersville; Auburn University-Montgomery.

• Jermichael Morgan; Carver Elementary Arts Magnet, Montgomery; Alabama State University.

• Katherine Mullinax; Benjamin Russell High, Alexander City; Auburn University.

• Amy Smith; Smiths Station Intermediate; Troy University-Phenix City.

• Stephanie Steward; Piedmont Middle; Jacksonville State University.

• Benjamin Turvin; Dothan High; Troy University-Dothan.

• Celia White; Wilson Elementary, Birmingham; University of Alabama at Birmingham.

• Tara Wilson; Marengo High, Dixons Mills; University of West Alabama.

More information about Alabama Power’s support of schools and communities is available at www.alabamapower.com. To learn more about the Alabama Power Foundation’s efforts to support education, go to www.alabamapowerfoundation.com.