Success Stories

“A lot of times, when we talk about schools, we talk about a building or get into negatives.  Count Me In! is bringing about a different kind of conversation … how the community can interact with and make a difference with our schools.  That’s both refreshing and productive.”
Orange County Resident

“Thank you for including me in the Darden [Teacher Initiative Grants] celebration!  I’m proud to be a recipient of one of the awards.  I pledge my best effort at implementing our project proposal!  With thanks …”
Betsy Theis
Windy Ridge School

“The Foundation’s grants program allows me the opportunity to provide enriching experiences to my students through hands-on classroom projects without going into my own wallet to foot the bill. The grant dollars are a great benefit to schools, teachers and students alike.”
Second Grade Teacher
Orange County Public Schools

“This project was a great opportunity for me to provide reading materials to my students that would involve their families.  Thank you so much for funding this project for my students.”
Heidi Compton
Chickasaw Elementary School
4/05

“I am seeing growth in all academic areas by each child in the activities.  I am more efficient in using the music and physical activity CDs instead of the records.  Thanks so much!”
Karin Vorheis
Citrus Elementary
4/05

“I would like to thank Darden [Teacher Initiative Grants] for the wonderful opportunity to bring history alive in my classroom.  Not only did my students learn about the state in which they live, but they became interested and want to learn more about it.  They also have become more aware citizens who will be pro-active in preserving their local environment.  Thank you!”
Tammy Johnston
Corner Lake Middle School
3/05

“While our FCAT results will not be back until May, we hope the students will show progress as a result of cross-curriculum integrated reading instruction.  Thank you for allowing me to attempt this project.”
Elizabeth Kingsbury
Lockhart Middle School
5/05

“My low achieving students were writing more and wanting to write.  The students’ growth as far as complete sentences was high.  At the beginning, half of my class was having difficulty writing, identifying correct sentences and writing with clear detail.  At the end, over half of my class was able to identify run-on sentences, correct sentences, and add more detail.  The students were proud of their achievements.  Thank you!”
Linda Young
Clay Springs Elementary School
8/05

“This is a project that we’ll definitely continue each year because of the excitement and learning gains from students.  Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”
Patricia LaChance
Sunrise Elementary
6/05

“I am a recipient of grant money from your Foundation.  I obtained pull down maps for my 6th grade classroom.  We love them!  I use them every day.  Thank you very much for awarding me the money to enhance my classroom.”
Dawn Dunham
Maitland Middle
1/06

“Thank you very much for making my lab work this year!  I could not have done it without you because of money constraints here at Gotha Middle School.”
Claudia Haywood
7th Grade Life Science Synergistic Lab
4/06


"Thank you, thank you.  It was wonderful to give 8 kits to each of our 7 teachers.  We have used them in so many ways and we are excited about having them to start the school year.  We will be changing our curriculum and we think we will be using them every week."
Yvonne Fonnett
Dr. Phillips High School
5/06

"We can’t thank you enough for the wonderful letter informing us of our Teacher Initiative Grant.  We are very excited about implementing our program. Thank you again for your support and all you do for us."
Mary Lackey
Union Park Middle School
10/06

"It is an honor to be chosen as a recipient of the Read2Succeed Literacy Grant.  Thank you!  This grant will allow me to purchase narrative story books for my classroom and use them to improve the literacy skills of my students with speech and language impairments.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated."
Laurie Epps, Speech and Language Pathologist
Metrowest Elementary School
10/08

"I want to thank everyone involved last night at the awards ceremony.  It really made the teachers feel good about what they are doing and I know a lot of work must have gone into the evening.  I also thank everyone involved with sorting through the grants."
Jeremy Kadletz, Science Instructor
Wolf Lake Middle School
10/08

"I am a Read2Succeed Literacy Grant recipient.  This is such an honor.  As a first year teacher, I do not have as many books as I would like for my students, so being able to so spend $250 on books, and also to implement my book clubs in my class is a dream come true.  I have had numerous teachers congratulate me on my success, and many of them stated that they were never brave enough to attempt to write a grant.  Now that they have seen a first year teacher write a grant and get it, they are more open to writing one.  Thank so much for this honor." 
Jenny Roberts, 5th Grade
Lockhart Elementary School
10/08

"Thank you so much!  Please tell everyone involved with Wed night’s production that is was – wonderful- I am so proud to be a teacher and very proud to work for Orange County Public Schools!  Thank you again for making a teacher’s wildest dreams come true!!"
Nancy Bridge
Olympia High School
10/08

"The AVID Team would like to thank you and all that put together the “Touring the Water Facts Festival” so much for such a perfect day at the Orlando Science Center last Friday.  The agenda was so well planned and it made the experiences in each area truly educational and enjoyable for our students, teachers, and chaperones.  All of the 7th grade AVID students said they had a great time and learned so much about our water and what happens to it."
Roland Hillier
7th Grade AVID Science
Union Park Middle School
November 2008

Teacher of the Year Quote

“I keep saying one of the VERY best gifts I have been awarded is the opportunity to participate in Leadership Orlando! I look very forward to starting that in October.”
2009 Teacher of the Year

Jennifer Bohn
MY International Baccalaureate Coordinator

Social Studies Curriculum Leader

Evans High School