Chick-fil-A Innovative Educator Grants
We are thrilled that Chick-fil-A in Starkville will sponsor our Innovative Educator Grants in 2025! The Innovative Educator Grants are awarded annually to one teacher in each school in Oktibbeha county. The Grant provides each teacher with $1000 to accomplish an innovative project that moves the needle in experience and success for our students.
Our local Chick-fil-A will support the grant program through its cookie sales. If you would like to support this program, consider purchasing a cookie with your Chick-fil-A order or making a donation to help us expand our reach to more teachers. Thank you to the Rogers family for believing in our teachers and our children!
2025 Innovative Educator Grant Winners
J'Lyn Bryant, Henderson Ward Stewart
Students adapt stories into screenplays and create short films to increase reading comprehension
Julia Chancellor, Starkville Academy High School
Students participate in a cultural immersive experience during Hispanic Heritage Week
Angel Christian, Starkville High School
Students transform the library into a walk-through living museum where visitors experience different eras, people, and events in history
Lasonja Ferguson, Sudduth
Students lead a community “Night at the Museum” event featuring student art projects.
Kathy McGill, Millsaps
Career Tech Students plan, publicize, and execute a career exploratory event at Emerson Pre-school for local families
Carrie McMillen, Overstreet Elementary
Culmination of 5th Grade WWII Unit field trip to the WWII Museum in New Orleans
Amy Pate, Armstrong Junior High School
Students plan, coordinate, and lead a career fair in a month-long unit in collaboration with local businesses
Mandy Scarpulla, Partnership Middle School
Outdoor leadership and adventure camp during intercession, including fossil unit
Rebecca Schilling, Starkville Academy Elementary
Collaborative reading circles, peer-to-peer teaching, and learning to increase reading comprehension