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.