Episode 248: Bright Ideas Grant Program

On this episode, we met teachers who received Bright Ideas grants from NC’s Electric Cooperatives to implement hands-on learning experiences for students in their classrooms. We will also hear from Wake Electric on the importance of this program for teachers and students.

Guests:
Whitney Williams, second grade teacher, Grady Brown Elementary School in Orange County
Christopher Hicks, agriculture teacher, Lakewood High School in Sampson County
Maria de Pedro, Communications Assistant, Wake Electric Membership Corporation

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:13

Welcome to Education Matters, presented by the Public School Forum of North Carolina. I'm your host, Dr. Mary Ann Wolf. In today's episode, we will meet teachers who receive the Bright Ideas grant to implement hands-on learning experiences for students in their classrooms. We'll also hear from Wake Electric, a member of the North Carolina Electric Cooperatives, on the importance of this program for teachers and students. Today we are joined by Whitney Williams, a second grade teacher from Grady Brown Elementary School in Orange County, Christopher Hicks, an agriculture teacher in Lakewood High School in Sampson County, and Maria De Pedro, Communications Assistant at Wake Electric Membership Corporation. We're so glad you are all here to join us. We're so pleased today to get a chance to talk with you. You inspired me when I got to hear your stories and what you're doing recently, and we want to make sure our listeners across the state get a chance to as well. So I'd love to start, Whitney, with you. On what inspired you to apply for the Bright Ideas grant initially?

SPEAKER_03 1:16

So the story of the inspiration is a little bit of a funny one. We already had our garden and our nature trail on campus. Both of the spaces just being a little bit neglected, especially coming back from the COVID pandemic. And one of my coworkers was really nagging me to ask the PTA for money for a hose. And I was like, I don't know. I know the PTA is kind of hurting after COVID, like they haven't been able to do their normal fundraising. I was like, I feel bad, like asking for a hose. And so that is kind of what kind of sought out some of our ideas about improving the spaces that have kind of been neglected on our campus. And so it really goes back to the hose. I have to thank the hose. You know, it's really about ease of use with our students in elementary school. If a teacher wants to go out there for their science block, you know, they may only have 30 minutes for science block. So it's all about the ease of use and being able to do it quickly and easily with students and really being able to put the tools in their hands. So yeah, I gotta shout out to the hose for uh the inspiration there.

SPEAKER_01 2:22

And Whitney, can you tell us a little bit about your project? I love hearing how it all started, um, but would love to hear a little more about it specifically.

SPEAKER_03 2:31

Yes. So um one of my favorite things about um winning this grant, I won it for the third year in a row this year, um, is that I've really been able to build on my ideas. So, you know, the idea kind of just started with we need a hose. And then I was like, you know, we really need some more plants donated, we really need better soil, we really need compost. You know, the weed barrier has now been broken through and weeds are coming up everywhere and we're just fighting it constantly. And so, kind of with that um grant in my back pocket, I had the confidence to kind of go and seek out some community partners and say, hey, you know, like our garden at school is really suffering. Would you be able to donate any plants to us? Or um hearing that some of the members of our school community, like parents and family members, have landscaping businesses, you know, it really, it really got my confidence to kind of reach out to some of those people. And so my grant money went a lot farther than I expected because I received donations and then I was able to use that grant money to get all kinds of things, um, garden tools, garden soil, plants, bird seed, you know, everything that's just making it more easy for teachers to just get out there and do. Um, and so I'm very thankful. Like I said too, we also have a nature trail on our campus that had just been overgrown and kind of overrun. And last year we were able to have some hired landscaping help that really did the expert job of clearing out some invasive species and putting down um new gravel on the trail. So again, it's just all about that ease of use for teachers and for students.

SPEAKER_01 4:07

And one last question, Whitney, can you talk a little bit about the impact this has had on your classroom and students? And it sounds like other classrooms and students too.

SPEAKER_03 4:16

So the space was really daunting, not just for myself. I am no expert gardener, let me make that clear. Um the space was very daunting for teachers. You know, we wanted to get outside, we wanted to build experiences for our students, we wanted it to be, you know, a good space to be able to learn about our standards in an authentic way, um in a hands-on way. But it was really intimidating when it's like, okay, it's gonna take me a whole class period to weed the garden first, or, you know, then I have to go get the soil, or, you know, that it was just becoming such a time-consuming thing that it was really taking away from the standards and the learning that we wanted to happen out there. Um, and so on Earth Day every year, that's kind of been our big reopening ceremony. Um, the first year, my students and the rest of the second grade team led kind of um what we had done with the garden by attracting um native species with the pollinator garden. And they really had the opportunity to kind of lead in the school, and all of the classrooms from the school came and kind of participated in that reopening of the garden for Earth Day. Um, and then last year, a similar thing where it was led by teachers and all the teachers in the school participated to um walk the nature trail. And again, just um, you know, kind of putting those tools into teachers and students' hands and celebrating all of that on Earth Day each year. So looking forward to Earth Day 2025.

SPEAKER_01 5:46

Wonderful. And Chris, I'd love to hear a little bit about what inspired you, but also tell us about your project and what it's what it's meant for kids.

SPEAKER_00 5:56

Absolutely. Um so we were lucky this year, Bride Ideas funded two projects. Uh, the first is for an on-campus poultry production area. Um, so students have already gotten pretty knee deep in that work, and so they are um producing broilers that will then be processed, and then we're giving the fresh poultry products to local food pantries. And so um they've already started that. We got 25 birds um under production right now. The second project that we got funded was to start an on-campus vineyard. Um, we'll still we've started that a little bit. Um, we'll be able to do a lot more with it as we move into the warm season next spring in terms of production of grapes and things like that. Um, the inspiration for this project, um, I've received a lot of bright ideas grants before. And so um, most of the time these ideas come from my students, and so I've been very um, you know, amazed with the ideas they come up with when they enter the classroom. Um, and we kind of, you know, every year I start with surveys in the beginning and find out what they're interested in. And even though we're located in rural Sampson County, you would be amazed at the students that have never um worked with the earth or worked with animals, and so you know, I find it a unique opportunity. Um, and a lot of people ask me where I come up with these crazy ideas sometimes. I'm like, it's the kids. I mean, we start conversations and I keep a list. I mean, um, South River EMC is my local um branch, and so they they allow us to submit unlimited um project ideas, and so every year I usually submit seven to eight just because the kids have so many good ideas. So um, those are our projects, and so the kids really benefit a lot from that. Um, they're getting hands-on skills that you know apply to the curriculum that they're learning. Um, and so for me as an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, that's the beauty of my class is that these students um aren't just sitting in front of a whiteboard all day or anything like that. They get to apply the knowledge that they're learning. And so it recruits a lot of kids into our program.

SPEAKER_01 7:59

Well, I love your student focus and hearing the impact already. And I'd love to turn to Maria and learn a little bit more about the Bright Ideas program and why it's so meaningful to your electric cooperative, but also the others across the state.

SPEAKER_02 8:14

So, the Bright Ideas Program, we have to go all the way back. We're currently in the 30th year, so back in 1994 in Supply, North Carolina, uh, Brunswick Electric, one of our electric cooperatives, is based on there. And an employee, Miss Judy Gore, was in her local Kmart and was checking out behind a local teacher who was getting supplies for her classroom. Uh, and then she realized really quickly that the teacher was paying for these supplies out of her own pocket. So she got to talking with her and found out that this teacher was not alone in doing this. In fact, many other teachers in the area were having to do the same thing. So Miss Warer went back to Brunswick and said, we have to do something about this. And they made the Bright Ideas Grant Program. And that year, all 26 electric co-ops also brought it home. Uh so even at Wake Electric, this is something we've been doing from the origin. So we've been doing this now 30 years. Uh, each year we give out 50,000 when it comes to uh contributions. So that is all added up. I think we're currently at 1.2 million just at Wake Electric over the 30 years. So that's a good amount of change that we've invested. And then when you look at it holistically, you know, I think it's well, well up there.

SPEAKER_01 9:31

Thank you so much. And that is such an impressive amount. And I know listening to both Whitney and Chris here, we just hear their enthusiasm. And I wonder if you can talk a little bit about what that experience means to you that you're able to provide those hands-on learning opportunities for kids and your teaching because you each are very dedicated and do a lot for your kids. So I'd love to hear a little more about that. Whitney?

SPEAKER_03 10:01

Yes, it means the world. I mean, I can dream up these ideas all day long, but having the resources to tangibly do those things for my students makes a world of difference. And, you know, a lot of us as teachers, we're really invested in the community that we teach in. You know, I've I've been at my school for 13 years now, and um, you know, it becomes a community and a and a place that we really love and are pouring our heart and time and energy into. Um, and so to know that we have community partners who are also, you know, funding public education, you know, they say it takes a village, and it's true, you know, we we want our schools to be a great place to learn and grow so students um are, you know, being contributing members of society in a positive way. You know, the all of we are all setting them up for success um for an ultimate goal of making you know our world a better place to to live in. So um having these relationships where everybody's kind of invested in the community really means a lot. Chris?

SPEAKER_00 11:08

Community support is um probably the number one factor in the success of our program. And um, you know, school funding varies from year to year, and you never know what kind of budget you may get. And bright ideas for us is consistent, and we know that um with the effort that they're gonna help provide funding for our project. So um that's been good for us. I think for students as well, it's important for them to see their community investing in them. And so, you know, most of my students uh get power from the EMC, and so um for them to know that they're supporting them uh really you know makes a difference. And so talking with community members, one of the number one issues that they're facing is that they need people to stay locally, and I think by investing in our local students, that's what's gonna happen is that they're gonna think about sticking around now.

SPEAKER_01 11:56

So thank you so much. We'll return after the break with more from these wonderful guests. We're so glad to continue our conversation about the Bright Ideas grants. And Maria, I wonder if you can share a little bit like you Wake, um, you know, you all have gone ahead, Wake Electric, and invested year after year in this. And so I know there are others in communities that wish they knew like how to do that or are curious. And um, do you have any advice for them, like what to do, if that's something they're they're interested in?

SPEAKER_02 12:44

Yeah, I think it all goes back to kind of the origin. You know, I think something co-ops are really good at, uh, and really any involved community partner is looking around and trying to fulfill a need in the community. So, you know, bright ideas was something that happened really organically. Um, we saw a need, it was something that we can do. And I think speaking from the co-op perspective, um, I think we're uniquely qualified because to Chris's point, we're so engrossed in the community already. It's, you know, we live in the community, we work in the community, it's something we're invested in. Um, so for other community partners, I think it's about listening, uh, seeing those opportunities because I really think just even at the co-op anecdotally, we've been blessed just by people bringing them to us. Uh, I really can't say that that's something we've had to seek out because it always just happens organically by listening and hearing from our neighbors of what they need.

SPEAKER_01 13:42

I just was thinking about how much, you know, people across North Carolina want to make sure when their children graduate, they're prepared for life, right? And we know that there's so many different pathways that kids can choose to be successful. And when I look at the Bright Ideas work, I see a lot of ties to that, like how you're sparking interest and helping to create those pathways. And I wonder if you each could talk just a little bit about that connection. Because I know, Whitney, your kids are young, right? And yet I'm sure there are some where what you've sparked will really change what they do. So we'll start with you, Whitney, and then Chris and then Maria. I'd love to hear from all three of you on that.

SPEAKER_03 14:22

So a lot of the goal of the projects with the outdoor classroom at my school, you know, they are about building experiences, building vocabulary, building language, building confidence. You know, like at this age in second grade and elementary school, I mean, we are setting them up to know what it feels like to be a student, what it knows like, what it feels like to feel success, what it knows, what it feels like to feel failure sometimes. Um, and so, you know, it really goes back to like the character education that happens at school too. Um, so when we're thinking about setting them up for some set success, it's not just academics, which of course is very important, but it's also communication and it's also personal relationships and it's perseverance and some of those like self-skills that are so important. Um, and so the Bright Ideas Grant, you know, when you're able to like think creatively about how to engage some of these students, how to give them a new experience that they've never had before, um, you know, you're really building them up for success, giving them, you know, a bigger background knowledge. And um, and so uh that that's what I appreciate the most about the Bright Ideas Grant is just being able to give those experiences to my students. Um, I think I gave the example when we talked earlier that a lot of times when we prompt students to write about a personal experience, they don't think they have one that's worthy of writing. And so to kind of give that experience to them and say, all right, you know, like I know that you've got good experiences because we've done them together now. Um and so again, just building that experience and language for them to really set them up for success.

SPEAKER_01 15:57

Wonderful, Chris?

SPEAKER_00 16:00

As a high school teacher, um, for me, a lot of it's about you know, just opening it up their eyes to different career paths. Um, and so even though I'm an agriculture teacher, um, most of my students will never enter an ag related field. Um, but the experiences they have in the classroom will um improve them as a citizen, give them skills that they can use so that you know, whenever they want to um grow their own produce, they don't have to uh spend thousands of dollars, or you know, if they need home repairs, they're not paying an electrician $300 just to walk in the door. Um and so the the Bright Ideas grants have helped a lot with that. Um, there's only so much that teachers can do with chewing gum and a paperclip and uh you know a plastic water bottle when it comes to training students. And so um I think that's the number one thing for me is that uh when these kids are you know going through with these projects and they're learning in the classroom, is they're gaining skills so that they're gonna be a better citizen, a better community member, a better employee uh when they exit my classroom.

SPEAKER_01 17:02

That's awesome. I love that. And so much a student focus, which it just keeps coming back to. And Maria, how do you all make that connection in all of this work, you know, as teachers apply to careers?

SPEAKER_02 17:15

Yeah, so you know, all of our grants, that's K through 12. So that's a big breadth of education, as you all well know. So we see all types of different grants, and some of them can be things, you know, that maybe it's just sparking confidence, which I think from the co-op perspective, I think if students leave after these projects and just have the curiosity and bring that back into the community, I think that is a win regardless. If, you know, a high school teacher like Chris introduces them to a career path, then that's even better. But I think the co-ops just feel that giving students in our local communities that confidence is just going to have a ripple effect that we're going to also benefit from. Because we also live and work in these communities and we want to live alongside people that feel that way. So we hope that they bring those skills back and stay, as Chris said, in our area.

SPEAKER_01 18:10

And Maria, can you share just a little bit? There's going to be teachers who hear this and say, wait, I want to be like Whitney and Chris. Um, how do they apply? And I know you can only talk for your specific area, but kind of that timeline might help too.

SPEAKER_02 18:24

Sure. So the good news is despite what co-op you might belong to as an educator, uh, application is going to be the same as far as timeline. So that's going to open up in April and it'll close in September. I would also urge if you have an idea already and you're thinking about it, go ahead and apply early. We always have an early bird deal where you might get drawn in for a winning. You never know, it could hurt, it couldn't hurt for sure. Um, and then uh to find the specific uh eligibility requirements, search for your local co-op. They should have all the information. Uh, and I would definitely obviously encourage everyone to consider applying, especially if you've never applied for a grant before. We feel that this is a super accessible grant. It's a really powerful grant. So I think it's definitely worth a try.

SPEAKER_01 19:14

Thank you so much. And the power with these two teachers and then the hundreds of others, right, that have participated over the years is just unbelievable. So we'd like to close a little today and um just thinking about the joy I think that the learning experiences you're building gives children. Um, and hear about what gives you, Whitney and Chris, hope as an educator.

SPEAKER_00 19:38

I think um for me the biggest hope that I see is I have kids that come in every day and they're excited. And um, you know, it doesn't really matter some days what we're doing, um, but they keep showing up. And so, you know, oftentimes we hear, well, this generation isn't it, or they're off, but these kids work hard. Um, and a lot of them they're they are the future and uh they're gonna do very, you know, bright things. Um, so that gives me hope. And so that's why I keep showing up because they keep showing up.

SPEAKER_03 20:07

You know, seeing the kindness, the curiosity, the confidence, the the lights that come on, you know, all of that gives me hope that we're just building a brighter, better world together. Um, and so I mean, seeing something through a seven-year-old or eight-year-old's eyes is unlike anything else. You know, the excitement can go through the roof with just a simple walk through our nature trail or um, you know, just uh pulling out a rainbow carrot out of the garden. If they've never seen a purple carrot before, I mean, you should hear this excitement when it happens. I mean, again, it gives me hope that they're so excited, so curious, so kind, and it's um a lot of fun.

SPEAKER_01 20:46

Well, I'm very grateful um for all three of you and just appreciate you spending time with us today. Um, so thank you so much uh for being here. After the break, this week's final word. Last month, over 100 educators were celebrated at the annual Bright Ideas luncheon. The Bright Ideas program was started by the North Carolina Electric Cooperatives 30 years ago, with each of the state's 26 local electric cooperatives selecting winners from across our 100 counties each year. Since the program's inception, $16 million in Bright Ideas grants have been awarded to fund over 15,000 innovative learning projects benefiting 4 million kids. Several of the educators who receive funds this year have been awardees in the past, including Whitney Williams and Christopher Hicks. Williams initially applied for Bright Ideas Grant in 2020 and has since received three grants that have been used to support her school's outdoor classroom, featuring a Garden and Nature Trail. Hicks has received nine grants, which he's received along with partnerships with local businesses for multiple projects, including establishing a vineyard where students can learn to grow, harvest, and process grapes into a usable product, as well as learning what varieties do well in their region. Innovative teaching practices such as these benefit both students and educators in various ways. For educators, the ability to implement creative teaching practices can increase job satisfaction by allowing them to feel empowered and fulfilled in their roles while also strengthening connections with students. Building those connections with educators and learning in creative ways can help students to be more engaged and allow them to explore and develop a variety of skills while also meeting their standards. Maybe most importantly, innovation breeds hope. Innovative practices can greatly shape what students see as possible for their future. Education as a whole is meant to give students the tools they need for the future. For our education system to be successful, we have to give students opportunities to imagine the endless possibilities before them and the resources necessary for them to thrive. This can happen through continued disinvestment. North Carolina's public schools serve the vast majority of children and families in our state, so if we want to look at the future of North Carolina, we can simply look at our local public schools. Unfortunately, far too many of our districts have had to struggle to meet the needs of their students. Teacher vacancies, lack of support staff, and facility issues, all of which can be attributed to disinvestment, make it harder for schools to adequately serve students. In this season of optimism, I encourage you to imagine local public schools in North Carolina without those obstacles. With an educator workforce that is well prepared, diverse, and respected as professionals, the resources to meet every family's needs, and access to unique and exciting learning opportunities, our local public schools can help every child in North Carolina envision a successful future and prepare them to achieve those futures within flourishing communities. This holiday season, the Public School Forum team is filled with hope for what's possible for North Carolina's children. Together, we can give them the future they deserve. Thank you for taking time with us to think and learn about education. That's all for today, and we'll see you next week.