The Business Education Partnership Foundation (BEP) Nissan Teacher Minigrant Awards were held recently at Stones River Country Club to present funding awards to teachers who propose special projects to inspire students.
Area educators and administrators joined BEP board members and representatives from Nissan to celebrate the spring cohort of minigrant recipients at the breakfast, which was sponsored by Franklin Synergy Bank.
Funding awards were given for 58 projects to teachers from 26 different local public schools. These grants are projected to impact more than 8,500 students during the upcoming fall semester.
"Hands-on learning is the common thread in the majority of the applications we receive," said BEP Board Chair Julie Corcoran as she praised the award recipients and their proposals. "Year after year, the educators have proposed projects that allow students to carry out physical activities rather than listening only to lectures in order to gain a deeper understanding of the material. In these projects, students can experiment through trial and error, learn from their mistakes and understand the differences between theory and practice all while enriching their young minds in new and engaging ways. All very applicable problem-solving skills as our students continue their educations and ultimately begin their careers."
Corcoran introduced Rutherford County native Greg Jones, who serves as Nissan's Senior Director of Human Resources for US Manufacturing. Jones, who serves on the BEP board of directors, explained Nissan's philosophy. "In the Smyrna plant we have a saying, and that is, 'we build more than great cars;' we build family, careers, and opportunity, and we want to continue building a great community," Jones said.
"You are going above and beyond to inspire your students in many ways, especially with the creativity of these projects you are working on and bringing to us this morning. You may or may not know it, but you truly are creating your legacy every day when you are supporting, inspiring, building confidence, and working with your students. You should be proud!" Jones said.
Minigrants were awarded for projects that spanned a variety of disciplines, such as coding, engineering, robotics, music, genetics, biology, art, agriculture, and energy.
BEP Executive Director Amelia Bozeman praised Nissan's 30-year commitment to local students through the awards program. "Nissan's support has sown seeds of knowledge, inspiring many thousands of students through these awards. The Business Education Partnership considers each and every Nissan worker to be a friend to education, and we are grateful for their support," she said.
Nissan's investment in the future of Rutherford County enables BEP to offer the grants twice annually to public school teachers from the Murfreesboro City and Rutherford County school systems. The awards offer funding for teachers who demonstrate innovation in teaching concepts beyond core curriculum through meaningful, hands-on learning.
The next BEP Nissan Teacher Minigrant Award application period will open September 9, 2019. To learn more about the Business Education Partnership Foundation and its programs for teachers, school counselors, principals, and students, visit rutherfordbep.org, or call (615) 278-2008.
