All students deserve a quality education.   Regardless of where they live or their family’s financial circumstances, all children deserve a quality education.

However, for many children in Appalachia, the schools they attend often lack the financial resources to provide for all the classroom needs.  Things like lab equipment, reading book sets, extra instructional materials, outdoor learning environments, and even safe places within the school for social-emotional well-being are often left unfunded. 

Each year, Americans Helping Americans provides grants to educators to enable them to meet the needs of a classroom at their Appalachian region school. Schools must be located within the Appalachian Region and meet the needs of students in economically challenged areas, as reflected by the school’s publicly available financial demographic profile (at least 25% free and reduced lunch and Title I).

But we count on the support of our donors to make these grants possible.

The Need:

• High Poverty Rates: Many Appalachian counties have poverty rates exceeding the national average, leading to increased numbers of students eligible for Title I services.  
• Resource Limitations: Rural Title I schools often struggle with limited access to advanced coursework, extracurricular activities, and modern educational technologies, hindering students’ academic growth.
• Teacher Retention Issues: Attracting and retaining qualified teachers is a persistent problem in Appalachian Title I schools, affecting the consistency and quality of education provided.
• Infrastructure Challenges: Aging school facilities and inadequate funding for maintenance and upgrades are common in the region, impacting the learning environment.

These factors collectively contribute to the educational disparities observed in Appalachian Title I schools, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and support.

Just One Solution:  The Broader Impact of Teacher Grants in Title 1 Schools

The impact of teacher grants on Title 1 schools cannot be overstated. With a relatively small investment, grants provide educators with the resources to enhance their classrooms, offer students new experiences, and create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. As the Americans Helping Teachers program expands, the number of students and teachers who benefit from these funds will only increase.

Support of Americans Helping Americans Teacher Grants will:

Fund a Classroom of Books

For Rebecca, the grant funding will allow her to purchase books from the popular “Magic Tree House” series, which the school’s second-grade teacher has been striving to collect using her money. These books play a crucial role in fostering a love of reading among young students, particularly those still developing their literacy skills. With this grant, the school can fill in the gaps in its book collection, ensuring students can access high-quality reading materials at every level.

$90 can Help a Title 1 School Class of Students to Soar with a complete BOOK SET

Bring the Zoo to the Classroom

Another exciting initiative at West Elementary School is the “Habitat Heroes” outreach program offered by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Through this program, zoo educators bring live animals to the school, providing students with an up-close and personal learning experience they might not otherwise have. These activities are crucial in rural areas where access to cultural and educational events is limited.

$25 can Help a Title 1 School Student to Soar with a FIELD TRIP

Trauma-Informed Education in Tennessee

In Bean Station, Tennessee, school counselor Tammy Spoon is using her grant to address the students’ emotional and mental health needs at Bean Station Elementary School. With 80% of the student body qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, many of the children at this school come from challenging home environments. To help students cope with trauma and build a healthy learning environment, Tammy’s “Healthy Minds Happy Kids” program will provide teachers and staff with training on trauma-informed care and create a safe space for students to decompress when needed.

In addition to professional development, the grant will fund a “Mindfulness Day” where students can participate in calming activities such as face painting and bubble-blowing. These activities may seem simple, but they play an essential role in helping children manage their emotions and behavior, improving their overall ability to focus and learn in the classroom.

$10 can Help a Title 1 School Student to Soar with a MINDFULNESS DAY

Making Science Come Alive in Biology Class

Biology teacher Destiny Ramey will use her Americans Helping Teachers grant to purchase dissecting equipment and preserved animal specimens to dissect, as well as supplemental equipment for her chemistry lab that the school cannot fund. Any remaining funding will be used to develop a hands-on activity outside for the students during their ecology study.

$36 can Help a Title 1 School Student to Soar with a DISSECTION KIT