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$19K in Educator Grants from Blue Ridge Electric Corporation Available for Innovative Teaching Ideas

May 31, 2012. Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are giving local teachers the opportunity to win grants for innovative classroom learning projects. 

Blue Ridge Electric is allocating up to $19,000 to award to teachers across the Blue Ridge Electric service area during the 2012-2013 school year. Grants of up to $1,500 are available, and teachers may apply anytime through September 30.

“Bright Ideas puts new resources in the hands of teachers with creative strategies to engage students,” said Grey Scheer, director of community relations at Blue Ridge Electric. “We’re proud to continue Blue Ridge Electric’s long tradition of supporting educators and investing in the future of our local communities.” 

Teachers can learn more about the program and apply online at www.ncbrightideas.com. Grants will be awarded to teachers in all disciplines and grade levels for creative, hands-on projects that would otherwise go unfunded.

Blue Ridge Electric is accepting applications now through September 30. Educators who submit their application by the early-bird deadline of Aug. 17 will be entered to win a $500 Visa gift card.

“Some of the best applications and Bright Ideas winners are written during the summer months,” Scheer said.

Last year, Blue Ridge Electric funded 26 grants totaling over $19,000. To apply, educators must submit an application that includes a description of the project’s goals, implementation, creative elements and budget. Applications will be judged in a competitive evaluation process, and judges will be on the lookout for projects that feature innovation and creativity.

Since 1994, Blue Ridge Electric has awarded more than $234,000 to 407 classrooms which has impacted more than 90,000 students.

The Bright Ideas Education Grant program is part of Blue Ridge Electric’s ongoing commitment to local communities. In addition to Bright Ideas, Blue Ridge Electric also awards college scholarships for high school seniors, leadership opportunities for highs school juniors and teacher grants for furthering education and becoming better educators.

Blue Ridge Electric serves some 74,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany counties as well as parts of Avery, Alexander and Wilkes counties. For more information, visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com.