Celebrating Innovation!

The Rockdale County Public Schools Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025–2026 Foundation Grants—a powerful showcase of teacher-driven innovation and our ongoing commitment to supporting public education in Rockdale County.

This year, the Foundation awarded 23 grants totaling $22,652.00, funding projects that will impact students, community members and families across every level of our school system.

From robotics to Shakespeare, reading corners to digital photography labs, musical showcases to outdoor environmental art—this year’s projects exemplify the creativity and dedication of Rockdale County educators who continue to reimagine what’s possible in the classroom.

🌟 2025–2026 RCPS Foundation Grant Recipients:

Educator(s) School Project Title
Jessica Phelps BES Math Madness
Keener/Bonilla-Garcia CO Essential Supplies, Exceptional Care: School Clinic Basics
Katy King DMS Celebrating Fifteen Years of Empty Bowls and Making a Difference in Our Community
Katy King DMS Leaping Into Environmental Art Projects at Big Haynes Creek Nature Center
Jean O’Kelley FSE We Stick Together! Learning About Magnetism
M. Hernandez-Gonzalez / M. Wynn HCE Musical Extravaganza
Jensen Blanchette JHH School Dance Team Attire
Orissa DePass JHH Bingo for Books
Lucretia Blakey JHH Black History Wax Museum
Ashely Michalenko JHH Express Home Library
Gretchen Gault LES Growing Young Scientists: Lab and Garden Learning for PreK-5
Gretchen Gault LES STEM Night: Building Curiosity Together
Stephanie Tyler LES The Suitcase Project
Pam Kent LES Communication for All
Katie Medley LES Art Show Extravaganza
M. Homer / R. Bray RCA School-based Enterprise: Catering Company Hits the Road
Joanna Anglin RCA Writer-Reader Workshop: Building an Identity as a Writer and Reader
Joanna Anglin RCA The Play’s the Thing: Bringing Shakespeare to Life
Tara Thielke RCHS Fused Glass Formations Part 2
Marleta Sigman SHS Bot Builders
Karleta Sigman SHS Creative Design Masters
Dr. Mark Jones SHS Digital Photography Lab Upgrade
Teadra Morris SHS Improving Reading and Comprehension Through Class Sets of Books
Christina Hudson Tucker SHS The Reading Paradise (El Paradiso de Lectura)

To celebrate their incredible work, the Foundation will honor all grant recipients at a special breakfast event in August, when staff return from summer break. This gathering will serve as an opportunity to recognize their creativity and commitment in front of school leaders, peers, and district staff.

👏 Congratulations to all of our recipients—and a heartfelt thank you to the donors and community supporters who make these grants possible!

To help us fund future innovation in Rockdale County Public Schools, please consider donating at rcpsfoundation.com/donate.