The Stokes County Education Foundation Fund of the Shallow Ford Foundation has awarded 10 Innovative Classroom Grants totaling almost $23,000 to educators across Stokes County Schools. This marks the first year of the Innovative Classroom Grant program, which supports forward-thinking classroom projects designed to spark curiosity, strengthen skills, and create engaging learning experiences for students.

In April, members of the Stokes County Education Foundation advisory board surprised teachers in their classrooms with ceremonial grant presentations, sharing the exciting news that their proposals had been selected for funding. Awarded through a competitive application process, the grants will support both individual and collaborative projects during the 2026–2027 school year.

The following educators and projects were awarded Innovative Classroom Grants:

Southeastern Stokes Middle School – Erin Warrilow
Digital water quality testing tools allowing students to collect and analyze real‑world environmental data while studying North Carolina river systems.

South Stokes High School – Rafal Jurkiewicz and Alan Largen
Military‑style obstacle course materials supporting JROTC training in endurance, teamwork, leadership, and competitive preparation.

London Elementary School – Lori Booze
Audiobook listening resources creating a classroom literacy lab that builds early reading skills and fosters a love of learning.

Chestnut Grove Middle School – Molly McDowell
High‑interest science texts and lab materials integrating literacy and hands-on STEM instruction.

Piney Grove Middle School – Adam Jones
Hands‑on woodworking tools and materials allowing students to design and build custom dining tables while developing trade skills.

Sandy Ridge Elementary School – Donna Stowe
Screen‑free audio storytelling tools supporting literacy development, creativity, and student engagement inkindergarten classrooms.

King Elementary School – Marcia Saunders, Amber Stogner, and Amber Baker
Outdoor learning equipment expanding creative, hands‑on exploration opportunities in Pre‑K classrooms.

Chestnut Grove Middle School – Tracy Horton and Krystal Dawn Kovach
Permanent microbiology lab resources allowing eighth grade students to explore disease, immune response, and prevention through inquiry‑based learning.

Piney Grove Middle School – Tiffany Morgan and Lori Spencer
Student‑led multimedia broadcast studio empowering student voice while building communication and media skills.

King Elementary School – Miranda Ketchum
Multi‑sensory, technology enhanced learning experiences transforming fifth grade classrooms into interactive exploration labs.

Lori Booze shared her excitement about receiving an Innovative Classroom Grant, saying, “I am extremely pleased to be a recipient of the Innovative Classroom Grant from The Stokes County Education Foundation (SCEF). I am delighted that the SCEF is supporting the implementation of our classroom literacy library. Our students will now have the tools and resources needed to support reading motivation, strengthen literacy skills, and encourage a love of learning.”

Stokes County Schools Superintendent Brad Rice emphasized the importance of launching this new community supported initiative: “Monday marked an important milestone in the Stokes County Education Foundation’s journey, from forming an advisory council this fall to securing generous donations and now awarding our first grants.  While celebrating these awards is exciting, what inspires us most is seeing these ideas come to life in classrooms and impact our students this fall.  We are deeply grateful to the Shallow Ford Foundation for their leadership and partnership.  Through their support, innovative ideas become reality, teachers’ dreams take shape, and new opportunities are created for every student we serve in Stokes County Schools.”

The Stokes County Education Foundation(SCEF), a fund of the Shallow Ford Foundation, is dedicated to enhancing public education in Stokes County by providing resources and support beyond traditional funding through classroom grants. The fund operates on the belief that every student deserves access to the tools and experiences that help ensure success in school, career, and life. Community support makes these Innovative Classroom Grants possible. To help continue investing in Stokes County educators and students, consider making a gift to the Stokes County Education Foundation Fund at www.sff.gives/scef