Panther Valley teacher seeks grant

A kindergarten teacher at Panther Valley Elementary is hoping to earn grant money for her class with help from a local business.

Heather Wagner teaches transitional kindergarten, and starting next year, will be one of the district’s new full-day kindergarten teachers.

She is participating in Farmers Insurance’s Thank America’s Teachers program with help from the Jamie Greenzweig Insurance Agency in Tamaqua.

“Next year, we are going from half-day to full-day kindergarten. We’re just trying to make this adjustment smoother,” Wagner said.

Wagner is applying for a $2,500 grant to help purchase educational toys, indoor/outdoor recess items, guided reading centers and structured play areas.

Sixty grants are available nationwide.

Wagner said that while teaching the full-day transitional kindergarten class, she has seen the impact that a full day in school can have on a young student.

“This would just make it even better,” she said.

Greenzweig has been promoting Wagner’s application through her business’s Facebook page and through word-of-mouth.

Helping local teachers is nothing new for Greenzweig and her agency.

At Panther Valley Elementary, she’s helped buy technology equipment and flexible seating for children with attention issues.

“I think our staff does a good job looking for ways to bring new ideas to the building. They seek out professional development. Farmers has been a huge asset,” Principal Robert Palazzo said.

Greenzweig said she’s in support of Panther Valley’s idea to bring full-day kindergarten.

She said she helps teachers, because it feels good, and it’s investing in the future of the area.

“It helps the educators that are helping the kids. And the kids are the future and what we need to keep the area improving,” she said.

To vote for Wagner’s application, visit http://bit.ly/1OLH8KP and enter “WAGNER” in the search box.