Orangeburg County School District (OCSD) has announced that educators across the district have been awarded more than $20,000 in grant funding through the Dr. Irene H. Myers Education Grant program. The awards empower teachers to bring creative, hands-on, and meaningful learning experiences to their classrooms that go beyond traditional resources.

The Dr. Irene H. Myers Education Grant honors Dr. Myers’ 46 years of service to public education. The initiative is supported by the Orangeburg County School District Education Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for all students.

“We at the OCSD Foundation are proud of this initiative and our ability to support these incredible projects,” said Candace J. Berry-Vaughn, Vice President of the Orangeburg County School District Education Foundation. “Our mission goes beyond a commitment to excellence; it’s a pledge to invest in the potential of both teachers and students. Each grant creates a new opportunity for growth, inspiration and academic success within our schools.”

This year’s grants fund nearly 50 innovative classroom projects, totaling $23,354.09. Projects include initiatives in STEM enrichment, hydroponic gardening, literacy, cultural arts, music education, and student wellness, reflecting OCSD’s ongoing commitment to inspiring lifelong learning. Over $20,000 will be distributed among deserving OCSD educators, with individual grants reaching up to $500.

“Our teachers and staff continue to inspire with their dedication to innovation and student success,” said Dr. Shawn D. Foster, OCSD Superintendent. “These grants are a testament to their creativity and commitment to providing engaging learning opportunities that push beyond traditional boundaries.”

2025 Dr. Irene H. Myers Education Grant Recipients

Elementary Schools

•       Kristina Kittrell, Lockett Elementary – Generation Genius

•       Deloris Smith, Mellichamp Elementary – National Jr. Beta Club Trip

•       Sherry Goff, Lockett Elementary – BrainPOP Jr.

•       Heather Haughton, Elloree Elementary – Growing Our Future: Exploring Hydroponics

•       Kinyatta Seward, Mellichamp Elementary – Melli-Champions Lil Chefs

•       Audrey Bonnette, Mellichamp Elementary – GIRL: Glamorous, Innovative, Resilient Leaders

•       Dr. Amanda Steinmetz, Mellichamp Elementary – Sculpt, Sparkle, and Design Studio

•       Phinnola Rookwood-Edwards, Mellichamp Elementary – Bulldog B.E.A.T.S. Step Team

•       Tamu NiiLampti, East Lake Elementary – From Imagination to Competition: The VEX IQ Journey

•       Lacole Raysor, Brookdale Elementary – All Around the World

•       Jeanetta Williams, Brookdale Elementary – Every Eagle Counts: Mobile Lab

•       Lillie Dunning, Lockett Elementary – Gelli Printing

•       Tameice Vassell, Elloree Elementary – Mindful Moves: Sensory Station for Gymnasium

•       Alessandra Ott, Bethune-Bowman Elementary – Grateful Growers Learning Garden

•       Tenesha Kerr, East Lake Elementary – Classroom Stations

•       Mary Fogle, Elloree Elementary – The Grand Wal-Art Incentive Store

•       Tiffany Sanders, Brookdale Elementary – Mixing, Measuring, & Math: A Recipe for Success

•       Ashlee Fogle, Mellichamp Elementary – The Colors of Our Emotions

•       Tiffany Hicks, Bethune-Bowman Elementary – Keys to Learning: Expanding Music Education with Recorders

•       Yolanda Felder, Edisto Elementary – Working the Land to Feed the Community

•       Mary Stephens, Sheridan Elementary – Science and Social Studies Weekly Readers

•       D’Majah Gaters, Sheridan Elementary – Lit Lab

•       David Jamison, Sheridan Elementary – News You Can Use

•       Sophia Smith, Sheridan Elementary – Desk Side Adventures

•       Veronica Hodges, Sheridan Elementary – Reading and Learning with Scholastic

•       Sharon Boatwright-Deas, Sheridan Elementary – It’s All About Reading!

•       Lara Reyes, Sheridan Elementary – Interactive Literacy Binders for Special Services

•       Keisha McCullough, Marshall Elementary – Tiny Hands, Mighty Words

•       Tennille Williams, Edisto Primary – Kid’s Cooperation Stations

•       Ashley Thurman, Marshall Elementary – House of Success: Busy Bee Hoover & Recover

•       Myra Summers, Sheridan Elementary – SC Science Studies Weekly

•       Jacqueline Shafer, Marshall Elementary – Building Readers from the Ground Up

•       Lindsey Goodwin, Marshall Elementary – Word by Word: Supporting Struggling Readers

•       Jacqueline Sanders, Marshall Elementary – Strengthening Reading Through Interactive Learning

•       Kimberly Jennings, Marshall Elementary – Sweet Foundations: Gingerbread House Making

•       Shannon Nimmons, Marshall Elementary – Molding Mathematicians

•       Mary Gwyn, Dover Elementary – Listening Library

Middle and High Schools

•       Tracy L. Haigler, North Middle/High – Let Me See You Wobble

•       Malissa Wright, W.J. Clark Middle – Building Brighter Futures

•       Bailey McAlhany, Branchville High – Harvesting Health

•       Joyce A. Smith, Lake Marion High – All Fired Up: Igniting Creativity Through Ceramics

•       Tracey Scoville, Orangeburg Technology Center – Nursing Bench and Planter Project

•       Maria Avesta, Lake Marion High – From Lab to Lunch: Growing Minds with Hydroponics

•       Matthew Williams, Lake Marion Technology Center – LogistLearn: Warehouse Mastery in the Classroom

•       Audrey Cook, Branchville High – Standing Tall for Math Success

•       Dr. Andrea Matthews, Bethune-Bowman Middle High – Growing Knowledge

•       Veronica Williams, Orangeburg-Wilkinson High – Future Ready: The BruinBot Quest

•       Cynthia Bowman, Orangeburg-Wilkinson High – Bruin’s Tabletop: Improving Communication

•       Charles Outen, Lake Marion High – Stand Up and Read All About It!

•       Shonda Jennings, ReFocus Academy – Exploring How Indoor Environments Affect Plant Genes

These grants reflect OCSD’s dedication to nurturing teacher creativity and student engagement through meaningful, project-based learning experiences.

For additional information, please contact Taylor R. Johnson, Communications and Multi-Media Specialist, at taylor.johnson@ocsdsc.org or 839-253-2070.