WGU Missouri donates $10,000 in grant funding

CLAYTON – In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Clayton-based university WGU Missouri is funding approximately 15 innovative Missouri teachers’ projects across the Show-Me State.

Announced on Thursday, the funding, which comes from WGU Missouri’s inaugural Fund My Classroom initiative, totals to $10,000 and will go towards several K-12 classrooms in making them more engaging environments for students.

“We heard from many teachers with innovative and unique ideas on how to improve their classroom,” Dr. Angie Besendorfer, chancellor of WGU Missouri, said. “We’re so pleased we can help bring several of those ideas to fruition.”

Funding going towards St. Louis projects include an effort to bring pedal exercisers to the library media center at Blades Elementary, located in the Mehlville School District, in hopes of sparking enthusiasm for reading, while also promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for students, as well as the debut of ‘Shakespeare in the Park,’ a free public performance of a Shakespearean comedy by McCluer High School students in the Ferguson-Florissant School District to promote literacy, expand cultural options, and rebuild community relations.

WGU Missouri issued a call last month for K-12 teachers to submit their project ideas on the university’s website for consideration for full or partial funding. The hope was to thank teachers for their daily efforts in the classrooms.

“The inaugural Fund My Classroom initiative is an opportunity for WGU Missouri to celebrate teachers and thank them for the lasting, positive impact they have on their students,” Besendorfer said.

In addition to donating funds to deserving teachers across the state, WGU Missouri is also marking Teacher Appreciation Week by offering up to $50,000 in scholarships to those who wish to further their education. More information can be found here.

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