Teacher Mini-Grants
JA of Meridian recognizes the importance of education as an essential building block for a strong and thriving community. Creating, supporting, and nurturing innovative educational projects is essential for community development and progression.
Applications for Teacher Mini-Grants for 2025-26 will open TBA and be due no later than 11:59 p.m. CST TBA
2025-2026 Teacher Mini-Grant Online Application (online app open TBA)
A copy of the questions asked on the online application, as well as a copy of the scoring rubric used by a third party, independent evaluation panel of judges who receive no identifying information from applicants, are available for review to prepare your project proposal:
Preview Copy of Application Questions | PDF Copy of Application Questions
Preview Copy of Scoring Rubric | PDF Copy of Scoring Rubric
Grant applications are available to all educators - including teachers, counselors, and librarians - who work in schools in Meridian and Lauderdale County. Amounts awarded will range from $250-$1000.
The following criteria are used to score applications:
Applications for Teacher Mini-Grants for 2025-26 will open TBA and be due no later than 11:59 p.m. CST TBA
2025-2026 Teacher Mini-Grant Online Application (online app open TBA)
A copy of the questions asked on the online application, as well as a copy of the scoring rubric used by a third party, independent evaluation panel of judges who receive no identifying information from applicants, are available for review to prepare your project proposal:
Preview Copy of Application Questions | PDF Copy of Application Questions
Preview Copy of Scoring Rubric | PDF Copy of Scoring Rubric
Grant applications are available to all educators - including teachers, counselors, and librarians - who work in schools in Meridian and Lauderdale County. Amounts awarded will range from $250-$1000.
The following criteria are used to score applications:
- Uses innovative and creative methods of instruction to improve the education of students
- Integrates conventional instruction with other forms of teaching such as technology, arts, physical activity, etc.
- Can be incorporated into the regular curriculum
- Has significant instructional value
- Has a positive effect on student attitude and behavior
2024-25 Teacher Mini-Grant Recipients
For 2024, grant recipients were recognized during a reception at the Meridian Museum of Art on November 7. Our Chapter was honored to award $26,700 in grants to 34 local classrooms this year! Grants awarded will serve to implement creative ideas aligned to learning standards for students in Meridian Public Schools, Lauderdale County School District, Lamar School, and area homeschool cooperative programs. 1 in every 5 children within Lauderdale County will be impacted by a JA Teacher Mini-Grant this school year, and 19 of the 34 grants awarded are to educators who have not previously received a mini-grant.
The success of the Teacher Mini-Grants Project would not be possible without the generous support of our community partners and donors. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Charles L. Young Sr. Foundation, Community of Hope, the Phil Hardin Foundation, our sponsors, and the many businesses and individuals who support our work through sponsorships, donations, and contributions to and attendance at our annual charity ball and silent auction.
Congratulations to the awardees, we cannot wait to see the wonderful programs you create for your students!
2024 Mini-Grant Recipients:
Ben Simpson
Allison Nester
Meagan Boatner
Deyantah Curry
Stephanie Brown
Susan Smith
Courtney Ashcraft
Toniziun Ball
Jacob Mars
Alanna Burns
Kelly Lamerson
Katie Horn
Amanda Mowery, Jordan Mills, and Linda Hopkins
Morgan Bailey
Robin Temple
Carla Pierce
Janie McMullen
Kierra Brown
Dr. Barbara Sanders
Nancy Walton, Lydia Brand
Walter Littleton
Catherine McGowin
Rebekah Johnson
Jodi Rutledge
Katherine Waldrop
Elizabeth Bennett, Brandi Griffith, and Amy Semmes
Ashley Pogue
Paige Anderson
Brandon Davidson
Vanessa Lee
Suzie Sanders
Lauren Hatch and Marci Miller
Madison Mayatt
Shari Davis
The success of the Teacher Mini-Grants Project would not be possible without the generous support of our community partners and donors. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Charles L. Young Sr. Foundation, Community of Hope, the Phil Hardin Foundation, our sponsors, and the many businesses and individuals who support our work through sponsorships, donations, and contributions to and attendance at our annual charity ball and silent auction.
Congratulations to the awardees, we cannot wait to see the wonderful programs you create for your students!
2024 Mini-Grant Recipients:
Ben Simpson
Allison Nester
Meagan Boatner
Deyantah Curry
Stephanie Brown
Susan Smith
Courtney Ashcraft
Toniziun Ball
Jacob Mars
Alanna Burns
Kelly Lamerson
Katie Horn
Amanda Mowery, Jordan Mills, and Linda Hopkins
Morgan Bailey
Robin Temple
Carla Pierce
Janie McMullen
Kierra Brown
Dr. Barbara Sanders
Nancy Walton, Lydia Brand
Walter Littleton
Catherine McGowin
Rebekah Johnson
Jodi Rutledge
Katherine Waldrop
Elizabeth Bennett, Brandi Griffith, and Amy Semmes
Ashley Pogue
Paige Anderson
Brandon Davidson
Vanessa Lee
Suzie Sanders
Lauren Hatch and Marci Miller
Madison Mayatt
Shari Davis
JA of Meridian recognizes the importance of education as an essential building block for a strong and thriving community. Creating, supporting, and nurturing innovative educational projects is essential for community development and progression.
Applications for Teacher Mini-Grants for 2024-2025 teacher mini-grants are were open from September 3, 2024 and were due no later than 11:59 p.m. CST September 20, 2024.
2024-2025 Teacher Mini Grant Online Application (online app open September 3-20, 2024)
A copy of the questions asked on the online application as well as a copy of the scoring rubric used by a third-party, independent evaluation panel of judges who receive no identifying information from applicants are available for review to prepare your project proposal:
Preview Copy of Application Questions | PDF Copy of Application Questions
Preview Copy of Scoring Rubric | PDF Copy of Scoring Rubric
Grant applications are available to all educators - including teachers, counselors, and librarians - who work in schools in Meridian and Lauderdale County. Amounts awarded will range from $250-$1000.
The following criteria are used to score applications:
For questions regarding Mini-Grants, please reach out to our Projects Chair - [email protected]
Applications for Teacher Mini-Grants for 2024-2025 teacher mini-grants are were open from September 3, 2024 and were due no later than 11:59 p.m. CST September 20, 2024.
2024-2025 Teacher Mini Grant Online Application (online app open September 3-20, 2024)
A copy of the questions asked on the online application as well as a copy of the scoring rubric used by a third-party, independent evaluation panel of judges who receive no identifying information from applicants are available for review to prepare your project proposal:
Preview Copy of Application Questions | PDF Copy of Application Questions
Preview Copy of Scoring Rubric | PDF Copy of Scoring Rubric
Grant applications are available to all educators - including teachers, counselors, and librarians - who work in schools in Meridian and Lauderdale County. Amounts awarded will range from $250-$1000.
The following criteria are used to score applications:
- Uses innovative and creative methods of instruction to improve the education of students
- Integrates conventional instruction with other forms of teaching such as technology, arts, physical activity, etc.
- Can be incorporated into the regular curriculum
- Has significant instructional value
- Has a positive effect on student attitude and behavior
For questions regarding Mini-Grants, please reach out to our Projects Chair - [email protected]
2023-24 Teacher Mini-Grant Recipients
For 2023, grant recipients were recognized during a reception at the Meridian Little Theatre. Our Chapter was honored to award over $26,314 in grants to local educators this year! Congratulations to the awardees, we cannot wait to see the wonderful programs you create for your students!
2023 Mini-Grant Recipients:
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Anchor Christian Academy
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Russell Christian Academy
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2022-23 Mini-Grant Recipients
For 2022, grant recipients were recognized during a reception at the Mississippi Children's Museum-Meridian. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity from our Educator Mini Grant donors, JA of Meridian awarded $25,255 in grants this year!
2022 Mini-Grant Recipients:
2022 Mini-Grant Recipients:
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2021-22 Mini-Grant Recipients
For 2021, grant recipients were recognized during a reception at Jean's Restaurant.
2021 Grant Recipients:
2021 Grant Recipients:
- Gloria Mayatt, West Lauderdale Elementary School - “Learning with Math Seeds”
- Crystal Moore, T.J. Harris Upper Elementary School - “Hands on Interactive Games”
- Kenneth Watson, Southeast Lauderdale High School - “ICEV Online Curriculum for Law and Public Safety Students”
- Jessica Schnoor, Northeast Lauderdale Elementary School - “Sensory Play”
- Stephanie Dial, Northeast Lauderdale Elementary School - “Building Young Engineers”
- Janiqua Beasley, TJ Harris Upper Elementary School - “Miteracy”
- Caleb Landrum, Clarkdale Attendance Center - “Bulldog Players”
- Eric Pickard, Ross Collins Career and Technical Center - “Construction Trades-Tool Drive"
- Dunnam Shirley, Southeast Lauderdale Middle School - “Diving into the Real World of Science”
- Suzie Dean, Northeast Lauderdale Elementary School - “Paths to Reading”
- Emily Albritton, Clarkdale Attendance Center - “Logitech Crayons”
- Rachel Pomeroy, Poplar Springs Elementary School - “Mastering New Techniques Through Rhythm”
- Kathryn Calvert, West Lauderdale Middle School - “Ipad Pens and Headphones”
- Tiffany Wooldridge and Emily Clay, West Lauderdale High School - “Relax, Refocus, and Return”
- Randy Ferino Wayne, Jr, Meridian High School - “Acting and Public Speaking”
- Janice Breazeale, Clarkdale Attendance Center - “Increasing Student Engagement Through the Use of Styluses”
- Janet Doner, West Lauderdale Middle School - “Special Education Ipad Tools/Supports”
- Melissa Lowe, Clarkdale Attendance Center - “Number Sense Development”
- Dewayne Knight and Cindy Martin, Russell Christian Academy - "RCA Life Skills"
- Karen Knight, Northeast Lauderdale Middle School - "Engaging Vocabulary with Wordly Wise"
- LeAnn Vick, Southeast Lauderdale High School - "First Step to a Thinking Classroom"
- Brittney Newell, Northeast Elementary School - "Making Art Come Alive"
- Nicole Miller, Lisa Jones, and Carla Fleming, Marion Park - "Leaping Into Literacy"
- Holli Cobb and Regina Wheaton, Meridian High School - "Elite Etiquette"
- Ashley Reed, TJ Harris Lower Elementary School - "Embracing the Able, not the Label...the FLEXIBLE Way"
- Angela Grace and Jennifer Boyette, Northeast Lauderdale High School - "Bringing the Love of Reading to the Outdoors"
- Shea Leake, West Lauderdale Middle School - "The Pencil is Mightier Than the Pen!"
- Michelle West, West Lauderdale High School - "Connections in Calorimetry"
- Hannah Carpenter, West Lauderdale Middle School - "The Pen is Mightier than the Sword"
- Lisa Berry, West Lauderdale Elementary School - "Sensory Manipulatives"
- Gloria Price, TJ Harris Upper Elementary School - "Mindfulness Room"
- Ashley Dean, Clarkdale Attendance Center - "A-B-C Wiggle With Me"
- Edwina Howell, Meridian High School - "Take a Stand for Success"
- Elizabeth Borders, Meridian Classical Center for Learning - "Music PA System"
- Tonya Queen, Clarkdale Attendance Center - "Writing Stylus for Student Ipads"
- Robin Gressett, West Lauderdale High School - "Code Crushers"
2020-21 Mini-Grant Winners
During 2020, grant awards totaled approximately $13,000 and funded exciting projects in a variety of areas. The following winners were recognized at a reception on November 14 at Weidmann's in downtown Meridian.
•Cindy Shirley, Southeast Elementary- Ready, Set, Go
•Suzy Sims, Northeast High School- Work Based Learning: Investing in our Future Workforce
•Carla Fleming, Marion Park School of Innovation- Positive Destinations and Sensory Stations
•LaShonda Brewer, Northwest Middle- Exploring with Edison: V2.0 Robots
•Deona Fox, T. J. Harris Upper Elementary- Project based Learning Garden and Market
•Vicki Adcock, Clarkdale Middle- A Work of Art
•Cindy Duke, Oakland Heights Elementary- The Art of Coding: Integrating Technology and the Arts
•Leigha Tate, Lamar School- Escaping the Ordinary Math Classroom
•Lou Ann Lamar, Northeast Elementary- Oh the Places We’ll Go with Osmo
•Rebecca Davis, Stacy Winham, Amy Burkes, West Hills Elementary- Picture THIS!
•Kim Runyon, Oakland Heights, Western Garden Satellite Classroom- Amazing Ways to Act Out Stories
•Carolyn Hendricks, Poplar Springs Elementary, Regina Steele, West Hills Elementary, Lynn Bryan, Northwest Middle, Felix Hall, T. J. Harris- Creative Problem Solving Across the Disciplines
•Dillan Ladner, Meridian High School- Ceramics and 3D Printing
•Cindy Shirley, Southeast Elementary- Ready, Set, Go
•Suzy Sims, Northeast High School- Work Based Learning: Investing in our Future Workforce
•Carla Fleming, Marion Park School of Innovation- Positive Destinations and Sensory Stations
•LaShonda Brewer, Northwest Middle- Exploring with Edison: V2.0 Robots
•Deona Fox, T. J. Harris Upper Elementary- Project based Learning Garden and Market
•Vicki Adcock, Clarkdale Middle- A Work of Art
•Cindy Duke, Oakland Heights Elementary- The Art of Coding: Integrating Technology and the Arts
•Leigha Tate, Lamar School- Escaping the Ordinary Math Classroom
•Lou Ann Lamar, Northeast Elementary- Oh the Places We’ll Go with Osmo
•Rebecca Davis, Stacy Winham, Amy Burkes, West Hills Elementary- Picture THIS!
•Kim Runyon, Oakland Heights, Western Garden Satellite Classroom- Amazing Ways to Act Out Stories
•Carolyn Hendricks, Poplar Springs Elementary, Regina Steele, West Hills Elementary, Lynn Bryan, Northwest Middle, Felix Hall, T. J. Harris- Creative Problem Solving Across the Disciplines
•Dillan Ladner, Meridian High School- Ceramics and 3D Printing
2019 Mini Grant Award Winners