TEACHER SUCCESS
Goal 2: Teacher Success
Teacher Classroom Innovation Grants
PEP awards grants twice per year to teachers who want to try new methods in their classrooms that support student learning. Thanks to a generous grant from Meta, grants up to $750 are available through our online application.
Applications for the next round will be accepted this summer. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay informed.
Recent Classroom Innovation Grant Winners, Fall 2025
| Awardee | School | Grant Project | Grant Amount |
| Tracy Lee | Aiken Innovate | Spanish for Mastery | 450 |
| Bashonna Wright | Aiken Intermediate | Muscle Memory Makers: Keyboard Training | 493 |
| Theresa Reeves | Byrd Elementary School | Exploring Earth’s Resources: Hands-On Investigations of Natural Resources and Landscape Changes | 477 |
| Monica Petersen | Gloverville Elementary School | Feeling Ducky | 250 |
| Jessica Hutchins | Jefferson Elementary School | Level Up Literacy: Empowering Every Reader and Writer with IXL | 500 |
| Stephanie Prandy | Kennedy Middle School | Making Memorable Maps | 499 |
| Richard A. Ball III | North Augusta High School | Escaping Math Anxiety: Using Escape Rooms in Mathematics to Review | 430 |
| Alexandra McCarthy | North Augusta High School | Gamifying Learning in the Literature Classroom | 500 |
| Shalina Frazier | Oakwood-Windsor Elementary | The Power of Play for Early Learning Special Education Students | 497 |
| Shontelle Lampkin-Jackson | Paul Knox Middle School | Building Skills, Inspiring Futures: STEM and Enterprise Learning | 500 |
| Karen Geigle | Paul Knox Middle School | New Bows for My Students | 498 |
| Regina Dunbar | Paul Knox Middle School | Drones! Drones! | 480 |
| Emily Hays | Paul Knox Middle School | Voices of Us: Building Unity through Stories and Service | 500 |
| Latasha Nicole Schultz | South Aiken High School | Money Matters Lab | 500 |
Teacher Resource Fair for Teachers New to the District
Public Education Partners proudly celebrated the success of the 3rd Annual Aiken County Induction Teacher Celebration and Resource Fair on Tuesday, February 11, 2026, at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center at USC Aiken. Sponsored by Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) and hosted in partnership with the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, the event honored Aiken County’s newest educators while connecting them with valuable community resources.
The evening was dedicated to welcoming and celebrating first-year teachers and recognizing their commitment to shaping the future of Aiken County students. More than 30 community organizations participated, offering programs, classroom resources, field trip opportunities, and support services designed to help induction teachers thrive in their new roles.
The annual event reflects PEP’s ongoing mission to strengthen public education by supporting teachers and fostering partnerships between schools and the broader community. By providing free exhibit tables to participating organizations, the Resource Fair created meaningful opportunities for educators to build relationships and access tools that will enhance instruction and student engagement.
New teachers expressed appreciation for both the celebration and the practical support offered during the evening.
“This was a wonderful opportunity to get information on the various educational field trips and resources available to new Aiken County teachers. I love this fair!” said Yadica Truitt, a 4K teacher at Redcliffe Elementary School.