Marie Cawley's students will be able to focus on learning better. Emily LaFave’s students will be able to help their school and participate in hands-on activities they enjoy.
Both Exceptional Children teachers said they are grateful for the grant awards they will receive Friday from the Cabarrus County chapter of the Autism Society of North Carolina.
For the past five years, the chapter has given more than $13,000 to individuals and groups that teach children with Autism, so they can purchase items to improve their students’ learning experience, said President Maria Anthony.
The chapter will have its annual James P. Garrison Teacher Grant Awards presentation Friday.
More than 30 Cabarrus County educators will receive grants, after applying late last year for them.
In their applications, the educators designated what the grants, of up to $125, will go toward.
Cawley’s students at Patriots Elementary School will receive weighted blankets to go on their laps.
“Without them, we would have children walking around the classroom, instead of sitting and learning,” Cawley said. “(This will) help them focus on learning.”
Cawley has received the grant before and used it for items such as books targeted toward her students. She said the money helps.
“Sometimes new technology comes out, and we can’t always buy them,” Cawley said.
LaFave is another previous and current grant recipient, and her teacher assistants also received grant awards.
They will use the grant money to begin growing plants in a greenhouse and beautify the school with them, LaFave said.
“It ties into the science curriculum, and it’s hands-on, which the students enjoy,” LaFave said.
She and the teacher assistants will also use the grant for purchasing dividers to create structure in the classroom.
“Each year, their grant helped our classroom grow into a more successful classroom,” LaFave said. “The Autism Society gives us that little support in times of need.”
Most of the money for the grants comes from a fund set up by Collette Pendergrass, a member of the Autism Society, in memory of her father, James P. Garrison.
“There’s such a need for extra help for extra stuff that can’t be supplied by the schools for financial reasons,” Pendergrass said. “Both of my children are Autistic, and they are the only two grandchildren my mom and dad ever had, so we knew it would be a good honor for him.”
Part of the funding for the awards also comes from the Rainbow Girls, a Masonic organization; donations given by families; and fundraising events such as the first annual Puzzle Run, a 5K timed race and fun-run walk, which will be held April 9.
If events like the Puzzle Run are a success, the group can give more to local educators in the future, Anthony said.
Those who have received the awards so far are grateful, they said.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for so many people because the population is growing rapidly, and times are tough,” LaFave said. “I truly appreciate it.”
For more information about the Cabarrus County chapter of the Autism Society, visit www.autismcabarrus.com.
Contact reporter Jessica Groover: 704-789-9152
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