Financial company grants Casstown teachers $2K for innovative program

A financial company has awarded teachers from Casstown in Miami County with a grant for an innovative teaching program.

Voya Financial has honored a group of teachers at Miami East Elementary School with a $2,000 Voya Unsung Heroes Grant. The teachers include Stephanie Blackton, Elizabeth Fields, Katie Mason and Megan Noll.

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The group’s innovative teaching idea, “Viking Book Room,” focuses on implementing high-engagement reading materials to use in groups for guided reading. The Room will be a space for grade-level teachers to “shop” for books to use.

This group is among 100 winners across the country who will received this award. They also will compete with the other finalists for one of three prizes: an additional $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000.

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Through this program, grants are awarded to K-12 educators nationwide to honor their innovative teaching methods and creative educational projects.

Since 1996, the program has awarded over $5 million to help educators turn teaching ideas into reality.

Applications for the 2020 Voya Unsung Heroes awards are currently being accepted until April 30 on their website.