Henry awarded grant for library

By Phil Cobb | August 11, 2015 |

CHRIS ROUSH/DAILY FORUM
Northeast Nodaway R-V librarian and Science teacher Kila Henry was a recipient of a $500 grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation, the fundraising branch of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel Monday morning. From left, David Primm, MRTA Region One Vice-President Gay Dittemore, Henry, Vice President of Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation Maggie Elder and MRTA and Public School Personnel Nodaway County President Linda Ferris.

Monday marked the return to the classroom for many area teachers including the teachers at the Northeast Nodaway R-V school district. Northeast Nodaway administrators and teachers gathered in the English classroom before heading to their own offices and classrooms Monday morning. For librarian and Science teacher Kila Henry, she received an unexpected surprise to begin her school year.

Henry applied for a grant called the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation Classroom grant. The foundation is the fundraising branch of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel.

According to the Missouri Retired Teachers’ website, a minimum of 56 $500 grants are awarded, with at least three grants being awarded to each of the 12 MRTA regions in the state.

The Board of Directors of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association created the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation in 2001. The foundation is a not-for-profit organization and is devoted to raising funds to carry out charitable, educational, scientific and literary purposes.

In order to receive the grant, Henry had to fill out an application stating in 50 words or less her classroom project along with the necessities to fulfill the project. Henry’s project for the library is creating book covers for books in the library. She wants students to read a book and then design a cover for it with the purpose being to inspire other students to want to read. Also, Henry wants high school students to work more with the elementary students.

On hand to present the grant to Henry was members of the MRTA and Public School Personnel, as well as, members of the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation including MRTA and Public School Personnel Region One Vice-President Gay Dittemore, Vice President of Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation Maggie Elder, MRTA and Public School Personnel Nodaway County President Linda Ferris and David Primm.