Electric co-op
charges up teachers’ education with scholarships
By Scott Nicholson
Teachers will get some more book learning of their own
with the latest round of Price-Deverick scholarships.
Eleven of the Watauga County teachers who received special
grants were honored at Monday’s Board of Education
meeting. Photo by Scott Nicholson
The annual scholarships, which are funded by Blue Ridge Electric
Membership Corporation and matched by the Watauga Education Foundation,
support professional development and continuing education for
public school teachers.
The scholarships will help music and art educators, as well as
those who serve a variety of students, including exceptional students,
advanced placement students and Hispanic students.
This year, the foundation received 28 applications requesting
more than $28,000, the most it has ever received.
This year’s scholarship winners are Lisa Combs, Susan Dunn,
Laura Gordon, Robin Lowe and Mary Whitaker of Watauga High School;
Sondra Edwards of Parkway and Bethel schools; Debbie Glover of
Valle Crucis; Tammy Gragg Parkway; Mary Henson of Watauga High
School and Cove Creek; Doug Herman of Blowing Rock; Robin Hunt
and Dyan Kincaid of Green Valley; and Mary Williams, Kathy Triplett
and Casey Ward of Hardin Park.
Watauga Education Foundation president Becka Saunders said the
funds would help the selected teachers improve their ability and
training, which in turn would help all Watauga County students.
“Teachers are required to do some continuing education to
keep their certification, but there are also additional workshops
that will help them in the classroom,” Saunders said.
“The main thing is they will get together with their peers
and bring excitement to the classroom, and that will translate
to the instruction and the kids will benefit from it. That’s
in keeping with our mission.”
These scholarships are named for the late Barbara Deverick and
Gwyn B. Price, former Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation
leaders and champions of education.
Price, a former principal and educator, helped organize electric
and telephone cooperatives and was a founding director of Blue
Ridge Electric.
He was head of the N.C. Rural Electric Authority for 31 years
and was an educator/principal for 28 years.
Deverick served on the board of directors for Caldwell Community
College and Technical Institute and was chairwoman of the Caldwell
County school board.
“With the current state of our economy, we are fortunate
we are able to continue matching the Blue Ridge Electric membership
Corporation funds and helping our teachers,” Saunders said.
“Our donations come from local individuals and businesses,
and we are most grateful for their support.”
Since its inception 19 years ago, the Watauga Education Foundation
has provided more than $600,000 in funding to supplement state
and local education budgets, providing county students with innovative
programs, teachers with scholarships and the community with a
strong partnership for education.
The scholarship winners were recognized during the Watauga Board
of Education meeting Monday night.
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