Each year, the Danville Schools Education Foundation and Alumni Association (DSEFAA) awards grants to educators within the Danville Independent School District to fund projects. The grant awards are valued up to $250 per project. 

The DSEFAA has announced the 2023-24 awardees and the projects that will be funded, said Gail Wright, DSEFAA co-president and secretary. There are 12 awardees. Superintendent Ron Ballard accepted the check for teacher grants on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Congratulations to the following educators: 

Mary G. Hogsett Primary School

• Jason Crist, Physical Education: Funds will go toward the school’s Skateline School initiative. This program will help students learn to roller skate while exercising during the five-week program.  
• Maggie Colwell, Preschool Teacher: Money will go toward All About A,B,C's, a program to build student interest in the alphabet, sounds and more.  
• Amber Driver, Speech Pathologist: Grant funds will be used on literacy opportunities for use in speech language therapy. Books are high-interest and at levels to help develop comprehension, vocabulary and fluency. 
• Val Pike, Special Education: Funds will be used for sensory seating options for students.
• Heather Gover, Music Teacher: Funds will purchase "Proficiency Packets" that allow students to practice music skills in a fun and creative format. Assessment is done by the game format as students demonstrate skills.  
• Norma Hopkins, Library Media Specialist: Funds will purchase "Coding Mice" to help kindergarten and first grade students understand coding systems in a user-friendly and age-appropriate way. 

Edna L. Toliver Intermediate School

• KT Kennedy, Physical Education: Funds will go toward a stationary bike to provide movement opportunities for students who need to release energy or have safe, stable opportunities for exercise. 
• Karen Tompkins, Drama Club Sponsor: Funds will be used to provide tickets and transportation for drama club members to experience a "live" performance of "The Cat in the Hat" at Ragged Edge Theatre in Harrodsburg.

John W. Bate Middle School

• Derick Hudson, Physical Education: Money will go toward heart rate monitors to help students understand the benefits of exercise as they compare resting and active heart rates.  
• Vickie Hunt, Art Teacher: Funds will help purchase materials that will allow students to explore and produce metal relief sculptures in different ways. Extensions will be made for gifted and talented students and accommodations for students with learning differences.  
• Tony Carney, STEM Program: Funds will be used to connect technology to hands-on activities for academic success. Students will create boat and airplane projects with various technology components.

Danville High School

• Karen Tompkins, Forensics Team Coach: Funds will be used to update "files" used by team members as they prepare for competition. The existing files are somewhat outdated and have been well-used.