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Our first Mackie Grant recipient, Academy for Teaching and Learning (ATL) in Chester, SC.
The Cindy Mackie Literacy Center began as a big dream. At that time, the students at this school only had access to books from a mobile library that would allow children to check out one book per week. The CindyMackie Foundation saw the potential to help many many children and their families to imagine new possibilities through literature. And boy have they grown into a fabulous area of learning and imagination!
Thanks to donations from generous sponsors, our foundation has had the privilege of watching this beautiful space transform! The financial gifts have allowed students and teachers opportunities to support a love of reading, build literacy and foster an appreciation of the arts. This year’s gift will be used to renew their Reading A-Z (RAZ) subscription and to fund Literacy Family Events. RAZ gives students the chance to read, check their comprehension, and listen to books aligned to each student’s reading needs. The Literacy Events will empower parents with tools needed to reinforce the love of reading. It will bring families into the community of learning with their students and further support a culture of education by shining a light on the importance of literacy.
We are so grateful to partner with the incredible leaders at this school and look forward to continuing to watch them soar!
Congratulations ATL!
Our second Mackie Grant recipient is Vickie McCorkle.
Vickie has 30 years of teaching experience in the field of music. She retired a couple of years ago, but returned to teaching because of her life goal “to create the love of music in every child!” Her current teaching assignment is at Hickory Grove Sharon Elementary School. This school has never had a chorus before, so Vickie has chosen 32 students to be their first. This grant will help to provide essentials such as music books, instruments and uniforms. The new chorus will present a program of vocal and instrumental music, along with a visual art display, in May of this year.
The grant will also allow Vickie to implement a Full Stem Ahead unit called “The Sights and Sounds of America”, which will teach students the development of early visual art and music in America to present day. Students will gain knowledge on musicians and musical instruments that have been a part of our American heritage. And, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) students will learn how to code spheres to travel a specific path across America. The students will have a field trip to the Sigal Music Museum in Greenville, SC, to tour the exhibit “Sounds of America” as a follow up to the unit.
Congratulations Vickie McCorkle! Our foundation loves your passion of music and teaching! We can’t wait to watch the evolution of your new chorus!
And last, but not least, is our Higher Education Scholarship recipient, Julia Wyatt.
Julia is a second year student at Newberry College in Newberry, SC. Her hard work, dedication and faith have her on track to graduate early with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She then plans to pursue her masters, then doctorate, degree in Piano Pedagogy and to teach music in the future. In addition to excelling in her collegiate pursuits, Julia also teaches private piano and music theory lessons to eleven students. Her goal during this season in her life is to grow in knowledge as well as her relationship with Christ, while also sharing her love of music with others.
The foundation knows you will positively impact all you meet! We are so proud of you.
Congratulations Julia!!
