The last day of school, a surprise celebration and $10,000! Lawrence Public Schools and Woodlawn Elementary educator, Gina Carter, was announced as the 2025 Excellence In Teaching Award and a gift of $10,000. The Lawrence Schools Foundation, on Friday, presented the 2025 Excellence In Teaching: Bobs Award, during an all school assembly attended by Carter’s family members, peers, friends, students, former colleagues, Foundation board members and school district leaders. "Gina is the definition of a lifelong learner, and her devotion in mastering the science of teaching reading is both inspiring and impactful. She continuously applies research- based strategies to enhance her instruction, ensuring that every student has the tools they need to succeed at reading,” stated Lisa Melton, former teacher at Woodlawn Elementary. "Gina is a remarkable individual who possesses the ability to develop meaningful relationships with all of her students. Her student-centered approach ensures that she prioritizes the needs of those she works with, creating an inclusive and supportive environment. Gina looks to the needs of students and provides individualized instruction to those students. She builds relationships with her students and provides love and acceptance to all students, even on their difficult days. The students in our building all look forward to working with Mrs. Carter and seeing her smiling face around the building, ”remarked Woodlawn Elementary Title Reading teacher, Cathy Huebner. More than 28 years ago a group of civic leaders, who share the same first name of Bob, created the award through the Foundation. The benefactors choose to remain anonymous to focus attention on the outstanding educators selected annually to receive the award. The Bobs Award honors a teacher who “exemplifies extraordinary instruction skills; reflects commitment to quality education and dedication to teaching; focuses on individual student achievement; administers to the whole child, guiding each student to achieve his full potential; and is deemed to be proficient, caring, adaptable, and professional.” Carter is the 29th recipient of this annual and prestigious award. (fb)

McCownGordon Construction Grants in motion! Lawrence Public Schools and Free State High School Woodworking, Construction, Design/Production/Repair teacher Amanda Torbett, received a Fall 2024 McCownGordon Grant from the Lawrence Schools Foundation for their greenhouse project. The grant helped purchase supplies to build 8x10 greenhouses. The greenhouses will then be sold to community members (at cost)—the sales will then fund the next greenhouse. Geometry in Construction is a new course being added to the curriculum this year. Students will receive dual-credit and apply their math skills through this project. In addition, Construction 1 students, Construction 2, Woodworking, and Introduction to Design, Production, and Repair will also assist in the completion of this project—impacting around 125 students each semester--250 students per year. "Students in Geometry in Construction courses are meeting the Geometry state-standards while giving a practical application to the numbers and concepts in the shop. This introductory project meets many (almost all) of the curriculum standards while also introducing students to the supplies and tools. Additionally, we will follow an existing plan which reinforces the concept of following blueprints, cut lists, etc. with little material waste. "- Amanda Torbett, Free State High School. In 2016, McCownGordon, LLC established an annual grant at the Lawrence Schools Foundation called the McCownGordon, LLC Teacher Grant. The purpose of this fund is to support teachers who will instruct or expose kids to the areas of construction, engineering or architecture. Learn more about how you can support teacher and classroom grants and funding for programs: www.LawrenceSchoolsFoundation.org (fb)