It’s been a wonderful opportunity to get to make a difference, have a tangible impact on my student’s life. Our work together has really paid off, her reading ability has grown a great deal in the almost year that we’ve been working together. I only wish I had time to work with many other students. If you want your volunteer time or donation to make a difference in your local community, working the SOAR program with the Chatham Education Foundation is a sound investment. You will be glad you did.
~ Colleen Kendrick
“I am grateful for the opportunity to initiate this all inclusive movement. I am confident that it is a stepping stone to a school that will foster students who are accepting and culturally aware.”
~Alecia Marsh
The success has already been seen if you could see the joy and laughter of the students….
Gardens of Hope - Marguerite Fields
“The experience that the kids have received through this CTE Advanced Studies has been very rewarding. The students involved said that this project has exceeded their expectations and truly challenged their abilities. They said that this was the best thing they have ever done at Northwood.”
~DeLisa Cohen
“Thank you so much for this grant. It has been wonderful to see the students having so much fun learning! Just today the students in the club and I discussed what the club will look like next year.”
~Merilee Chesney
“Thank you for giving our students this opportunity to expand their musical horizons and to hopefully gain a new interest in music that can continue even after they leave my class.”
~Kamela Keesor
“We really appreciate this grant and the opportunity it gave us to show STEM to our students in a real world context. We plan to make this an annual field trip. Thank you!”
~Karin Clamann, Mindy Liesener, & Marty Goldman
Working with my two reading buddies, we were alternating reading some limericks which led into a discussion of rhyming and some references made to various towns, settings and countries. So, I gave each a world map from “Doctors Without Borders” so they could see the countries and general locations we were talking about. It was great to hear them start to connect the rhymes with the words and the sites they were reading about and be able to locate them on the map. They were also very interested in their countries of origin in relation to North Carolina. So many opportunities to expand our world view- theirs and mine! Great fun for all!
~ Jim Schwankl
”Thank you so much for providing me with this awesome opportunity for my classroom!”
~Rose Syroid
I love getting to know each of my students and spending time reading with them. It is important to me that each and every has a chance to excel. I know that becoming a proficient reader is integral to their success.
~Jennifer Christenberry
“Thank you for making our robot competition possible! It was a huge success for both students and the community, and we are looking forward to using the pieces for another competition next year!”
~Tracy Miller
“This garden project has been very exciting for our staff and students to bring to life! We are so thankful for the support of CEF, our PTA, and our community members. Brooks Contractors of Goldston donated 32 cubic yards of beautiful, fertile soil. Moore Hauling of Siler City donated their time in hauling two full loads of soil to us. Julian and Terry Smith, Steven Overman, Jason Crissman, Kelly and Samantha Wilson, the Bennett baseball team, Dave and Scott Peterson, Mr. Purvis. Our school principal, Dr. Neal has been totally hands-on and supportive of this project! Most importantly, we can not wait to get our students out into this creative teaching space where they can explore, learn, and apply all the amazing things they are learning in their classrooms! As it stands, this garden is an opportunity to see science in action, observe and investigate plants and animals in their natural habitat, and get our students engaged in hands-on lessons! The future of this garden holds opportunities for responsibility, real world math and science, and even some health and nutrition lessons! Thank you for making this possible for us and bringing our dream to life!”
~Bennett in Bloom - Jessica Peterson & Dr. Neal
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to present littleBits to the students at PES.”
~Kelly Slaughter
“The students and staff are so appreciative! There has been an increased interest in the use of technology school-wide. Some of the district reports are already showing the positive impact that students are experiencing. Additionally, while it can’t be measured in numbers, the response from parents about the things we are doing to engage students in the total school environment at Bennett this year has been wonderful! I feel so encouraged! We are grateful for your support.”
~Dr. Neal
“Last week at Pittsboro Elementary School, we met with teachers to review the middle of year data, using iStation, for students participating in the HELPS program. We were pleased to see that 67% of our 3rd graders met typical or above typical growth, while 100% of our 2nd graders made ABOVE typical growth! WOW! We just had to share the great news!”
~Melissa Parks, M. Ed Reading Specialist | Pittsboro Elementary National Board Certified Teacher
“I am grateful to the Chatham Educational Foundation for supporting hands-on Science activities in 6th grade. I look forward to working with you in the future.”
~Debbie Gabriel
Most of my students are excited any time they have an opportunity to use technology in the classroom.
Excitement in the Classroom - Marsha O’Hare
Honestly, for Karen and I, the SOAR Helps Tutor Program was a little daunting at first, but our students’ positive attitudes toward reading, combined with the structured format of the program, quickly improved our confidence. Every star our students put on their chart is a fun reward for them, and sense of accomplishment for us.
~ Ken & Karen Scheidler
