(EFFINGHAM, Illinois – September 26, 2024) The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation is pleased to announce that the Heather Began Education Grant Fund awarded four grants for the Fall 2024 grant season.
Amber Brungard, a fifth-grade teacher at Beecher City Grade School, received a $500 grant award for her “Continuing Social Emotional Learning with Class Pet” project. The funds will help Liz, the classroom bearded dragon, have a larger tank in the classroom. Receiving the grant will help boost the role of the classroom pet in promoting emotional well-being, responsibility, teamwork and academic skills among students.
Karen Hanfland, principal at the Beecher City Grade School, received a $500 grant award for her “Book” project which will give every student in Kindergarten, first and second grade, a book from the Scholastic Book Fair.
Kasey Tays, a third-grade teacher at Sacred Heart School, received a $500 grant award for her “Enhance our Third Grade Learning” project. This award will assist her in obtaining copies of Little House on the Prairie, Because of Winn Dixie and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever for every student in her classroom.
Kearsten Givens, a new second-grade teacher at Sacred Heart School, received a $500 grant award for her “Classroom Supplies” request. The funds will provide essentials to help her students grow in their learning with math concepts, reading materials and furniture for small group reading time in the classroom.
Robert and Julie Began, along with their daughter, Hannah, established the Heather Began Memorial Education Fund in memory of their daughter, Heather, (pictured here) who passed away in October 2019.