Westinghouse Anniston, a subsidiary of URS Corporation, announced April 17 that 25 education projects have been selected to receive grants totaling $12,500 as a way to recognize and support excellence in teaching within Calhoun County. With the awarding of this year’s grants, Westinghouse Anniston has provided more than $164,000 to 360 classroom teachers since the program’s inception in 1998.

The “We Care” Grants, worth $500 each, are awarded directly to teachers to provide funding for innovative approaches to teaching science, math and technology.

“It is wonderful to once again award teachers with monies to carry out their classroom activities. With the economy as it is today, teachers are taking advantage of opportunities such as our ‘We Care’ grants to supplement their reduced classroom budgets, and we are pleased to be able to help them with these activities,” said Donna Jackson, Westinghouse Anniston Protocol Staff Lead.

“The students of today are the leaders of tomorrow. It is a pleasure to be a part of this outstanding program, and we salute these teachers and their dedication to their profession,” said Guy Campbell, Westinghouse Anniston Project Manager.

Among this year’s winning proposals is a project that will help third-graders learn math with hands-on activities and another that will set up science learning centers to study simple and complex machines.

This year’s winning teachers are:

Anniston City Schools: Virginia Cole, Anniston High; Kathy Frost, Cobb Elementary; Landa Dixon, Debi Morgan, Jamey Robertson and Shondria Wright, Constantine Elementary; Margaret Cunningham, Vanessa Hill, Sarah Johnson and Annette Sturkie, Randolph Park Elementary and Kelli Taylor, Tenth Street Elementary.

Calhoun County Schools: Michelle Roberts, Susan Shirai, Lindsey Silvey, Nicolle Smith and Leigh Twigg, Ohatchee Elementary; Kina Teaford, Ohatchee High; Hannah Cornelius, Cara Davis and Bridget Landingham, Saks Elementary; Diana Lemons, Charlene Mellon, Saks High; Rhonda Chambless, Weaver Elementary; Ellen Cannon, Wellborn Elementary and Lisa Mallett, White Plains Elementary.