PowerEd Cabarrus presented grants to 29 Cabarrus County teachers that will impact more than 5,300 students.
PowerEd Cabarrus was created by the Cabarrus County Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. John Kopicki. The mission of the organization is to address two major goals and issues facing the board: recruiting and retaining high-quality staff and strengthening education funding.
“We think it’s remarkable how much has been accomplished in a little more than nine months,” said Robert Kirk, a member of the PowerEd board of directors.
Catherine Thomas is the executive director and only employee of the organization. Technically, she is an employee of Cabarrus County Schools. The school system is paying her salary through Oct. 31. She makes less than a classroom teacher.
“Here’s the good news, in less than one year, PowerEd has raised over $65,000,” said Thomas, who moved to Cabarrus with her husband, an executive with Eli Lilly. “Since we are not a 501(c)(3) yet, these funds were brought in by developing business partnerships and fundraising. All of the money is poured right back into our district to provide grants and scholarships.”
PowerEd Cabarrus Board member Robert Kirk congratulates Executive Director Catherine Thomas on the work of the educational support group in its first 10 months of existence.
Cabarrus teachers were encouraged to apply for grants to support projects to help Cabarrus students succeed. A variety of creative proposals were submitted by elementary to high school teachers from across the county.
Thomas stressed how important it is to support teachers and students and that the grant program impacts both.
“By enhancing educational resources and fostering engaging learning opportunities, we are not only supporting our teachers with the tools to elevate the learning experience; we are nurturing well-rounded students equipped to thrive in an ever-changing world. The collaboration between educational leaders, teachers and the community is crucial in shaping these transformative initiatives and ensuring that every student has access to high-quality educational experiences,” Thomas said.
PowerEd Cabarrus presented grants to teachers on Tuesday, Aug. 26, totaling $50,000 and affecting more than 5,300 students. Here is a list of the teachers, grades, schools, purpose and grant amounts awarded:
• Nicole Good: second grade; WR Odell Primary; math/literacy resources, classroom library, organizational supplies; more than 75 students; $450.
• Sonia Wallace: kindergarten, first and second grades; WR Odell Primary; wildflower meadow garden for ecological engagement; more than 950 students; $1,500.
• Kristi Russell: 10th-12th grades AP Biology; Hickory Ridge High School; equipment for DNA amplification and gel electrophoresis; more than 90 students; $3,600.
• Spencer Swindler: 10th-12th grades; Hickory Ridge High School; novels for Holocaust and genocide studies classes; more than 80 students; $500.
• Deena Hill: kindergarten and first grades; Wolf Meadow Elementary; equity in experiences with engaging, hands-on designed field trips; more than 210 students; $6,300.
• Crista Lantz: fifth grade; WR Odell Elementary; year-long project on ecosystem interconnectedness; more than 350 students; $2,000.
Ashley Haynes, center, received a $5,000 grant for books that will be placed in a vending machine at Weddington Hills Elementary. The aim is to promote reading.
• Ashley Haynes: K-5 grades; Weddington Hills Elementary; books for vending machine to promote reading; more than 900 students; $5,000.
• Debbie Kelly: first grade; Bethel Elementary School; learning coding through play to support computer science foundations; more than 100 students; $1,200.
• Taylor Carroll: second and third grades; A.T. Allen Elementary; empowering young learners through softball for physical wellness and teamwork; more than 50 students; $500.
• Amanda Balich: K-1st grades; A.T. Allen Elementary; enrichment club focusing on social-emotional skills; more than 40 students; $500.
• Lisa Ober: all grades; Odell Elementary; One Book, One School initiative for shared reading experience; more than 1,150 students; $6,000.
• Ella Rowland: high school marketing; West Cabarrus High School; cereal project for creating and marketing a brand of cereal; more than 64 students; $500.
• Catherine Marks: third through fifth grades; WR Odell Elementary School; garden project integrating science and weather stations; more than 1,200 students; $6,000.
• Holly Cecil: second and third grades; A.T. Allen Elementary; photography club for artistic and storytelling development; more 25 students; $1,800.
• Joy McDowell: second and third grades; A.T. Allen Elementary; Mystery Masters Club to develop critical thinking and teamwork; more than 15 students; $200.
• Brooke Nelson: second grade; WR Odell Primary; building classroom community project focused on whole child development; more than 20 students; $1,000.
• Marisol Ortiz-Gutierrez: grades K-5; Pitts School Road Elementary; sensory support systems for students with autism; more than 40 students; $1,000.
• Olivia Jones: K+; A.T. Allen Elementary; creating a “quiet Nest” for children needing a calming space; more than 80 students; $720.
• Amy Bright, second grade; W.R. Odell Primary; tools to differentiate instruction in math; more than 36 students; $1,000.
• Amanda Witherow: third grade; W.R. Odell Elementary; flexible seating options for a double classroom; more than 40 students; $500.
• Linn Oszakiewski: fourth and fifth grades; A.T. Allen; enriched gardening club with composting and hydroponics; more than 40 students; $510.
• Rochelle Peart-Barrett: fourth and fifth grades; A.T. Allen Elementary; support for “Treble-Maker” music club; more than 200 students; $1,000
• Daniel Combs: ninth through 12th grades; Central Cabarrus High School; STEM learning experiences through hands-on projects; more than 255 students; $1,000.
Teacher Daniel Combs, left, received $1,000 for hands-on STEM experiences for students at Central Cabarrus High School.
• Angela Blackburn: second and third grades; A.T. Allen Elementary; Breathe and Bloom wellness club; more than 25 students; $500.
• Emily Pleasants: 11th grade, AP US History; Hickory Ridge High School; “History is Here” project for community history exploration; more than 120 students; $1,850.
• Margaret Corl: high school marketing; Cox Mill High School; Marketing project from concept to customer; more than 50 students; $1,300.
• Christophers Sepulveda: third through fifth grades; W.R. Odell Elementary; procreate application for digital art encore program; more than 1,100; $1,200.
• Kayla Ernst: second and third grades; A.T. Allen Elementary; board game passion project club for social interaction and collaboration; more than 100 students; $500.
• Cassandra Bachmann: K-5 grades; Pitts School Road Elementary; Time Kettle translation earbuds for non-English speaking students; more than 10 students; $1,870.
This fall, PowerEd will award three $5,000 scholarships to students interested in pursuing a career in teaching.
The goal is to increase the size and number of scholarships for future teachers, Thomas and Kirk said.
“This is a ‘thank you’ story,” Kirk said. “Thank you to the community for their response and desire to support our teachers and education in Cabarrus County.”
Thomas outlined the efforts of PowerED Cabarrus, which supported the resources that are already showing up:
• Monthly business presentations to build partnerships (ongoing).
• Worked for weeks with the NC DECA Team to produce a movie about Cabarrus County Schools and the community, demonstrating the foundations of pride for CCS.
• Ongoing PTO/PTA breakfast meetings — they are PowerEd’s Ambassadors (next one is Sept. 18).
• “For the Children” Dinner Gala – full event with auction, dinner, band, etc. PowerEd raised significant funds and invited the Junior Charity League to co-host. PowerEd thrives on collaboration in the community.
• Held the first PowerEd Raffle Table at the Gibson Mills Art Show (secured donations including jewelry, many substantial gifts and amazing experiences, etc.)
• Planned the District Night at the Cannonballers Game (The suite was gifted to them by the Cannonballers), and Thomas and her husband covered the catering.
• Planned the event “Taps for Teachers” at Cabarrus Brewery — it was a Teacher Appreciation Event with free food for all CCS Employees. Many PowerEd supporters purchased drinks for the employees as a gesture of thanks.
• Planned monthly dinner events with the CCS parents (ongoing).
• Planned CCS teacher dinner meetups every eight weeks (ongoing).
• School tours and direct teacher/student engagement (ongoing).
The Cabarrus school board funded Thomas’ position and PowerEd for one year, through Oct. 31.
Thomas said she is not asking the school board to extend the funding, but rather looking for businesses or community sponsors to contribute to continuing the work.
“One thing I have learned about the people of Cabarrus County is how proud they are of their community,” Thomas said. “We’re hopeful someone will step up to continue our work, but if they don’t, we know that a lot was accomplished.”
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PowerEd Cabarrus presented grants to 29 Cabarrus County teachers that will impact more than 5,300 students.
PowerEd Cabarrus Board member Robert Kirk congratulates Executive Director Catherine Thomas on the work of the educational support group in its first 10 months of existence.
Ashley Haynes, center, received a $5,000 grant for books that will be placed in a vending machine at Weddington Hills Elementary. The aim is to promote reading.
Teacher Daniel Combs, left, received $1,000 for hands-on STEM experiences for students at Central Cabarrus High School.
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