Teacher grant awards presented in Thursday ceremony  

The Foundation for Excellence in Education Thursday awarded DeSoto County teacher grant awards during a presentation event at DeSoto Hills Baptist Church in Southaven.  

Several DeSoto County businesses and individuals make donations to the Foundation to enhance educational opportunities for students in DeSoto County Schools, Northpoint Christian School, and Sacred Heart School.  The primary mission of the Foundation, started several years ago and organized by the DeSoto Economic Development Council as a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, is to award teacher grants in DeSoto County.  

Teachers annually submit applications which are reviewed and then selected based on the amount of money available. This year, a total of 87 grants were awarded in the amount of $38,851.09. Since the foundation was started, it has awarded more than $1.3 million in teacher grants.  

In addition to contributions and donations, the United Way of the Mid-South provides some funds to the Foundation and an annual Salute to Industry Golf Tournament provides funding, as well. One-hundred percent of the dollars donated go to teacher grants. 

Following is the list of this year’s award winners and what their grants are being used for.