Video: AEE Awards Grants For TPSD Teachers

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Students and teachers in the Tupelo Public School District will benefit from grants awarded by a group of individuals and businesses.

The annual luncheon for the Association for Excellence in Education, on Friday, provided a first hand look at how the private grant dollars impact students in the district.

It was definitely a time to shine as hundreds gathered in the Lawhon Elementary Auditorium for the annual ceremony.

Each year, teachers at all Tupelo schools submit grant proposals to the Association for Excellence in Education.  Milam Elementary Teacher Crystal Wilson used an AEE grant last year to fund a science Day for the entire school.

“It’s about ninety minutes out of the classroom that they come into the gym and then we go outside and do rocket launching and different things, students are using their hands, and minds through the arts, technology, engineering, mathematics, putting their hands on science,” said Wilson.

Wilson  and other grant recipients constructed displays, to show how the funds were put to good use.

Students who have taken a broadcasting class at Tupelo High School know the importance of AEE grants.

“Without a doubt, we would not be where we are, we have really grown the last three years so we wouldn’t be where we are without AEE’s money and support,” said THS Senior Noel Morgan.

For more than three decades now, AEE has played a major role in Tupelo Public Schools, even more so in recent years as education funding continues to drop.

“It is very important for our community to pull together and support our schools, TPSD is in my opinion best public school district in the state and the AEE has helped make that possible,” said Ryan Roper, AEE President.

At this luncheon, 20 grants totaling more than 68 thousand dollars were awarded.  Lawndale Elementary Teacher Kit Stafford received a grant for a an art project called “Animation Station.”

“This software allows the students to take their drawings, scan it into the computer, they will pinpoint the points on their drawing and they can actually begin the early stages of animation,” Stafford said.

With the latest disbursements, AEE has awarded more than 2 and a half million dollars in grants over the past thirty two years.

There are more than 550 individuals, businesses and civic groups that make up AEE.