Strasburg teacher wins Thank America’s Teacher grant
Sheila Doerschuck, Kendra Wolgamott and Shelly Cox stand together as Wolgamott receives a grant from Farmers Insurance.
The Strasburg School parking lot was filled to capacity on Monday night, Dec. 18. Family members turned out in full force to see their second- and third-grade students give renditions of numerous classic Christmas tunes in the school gymnasium.
But the evening held a major surprise as Strasburg second-grade teacher Kendra Wolgamott was awarded a $2,500 grant as the winner of the national Thank America’s Teachers contest. The award was presented at the conclusion of the program by Shelly Cox of Cox Insurance of Dover. The contest and prize is offered by Farmers Insurance.
“I was aware I was in the top 10 and might win,” Wolgamott said after receiving the prize check from Cox. “But I am very surprised to win it.”
Only principal Sheila Doerschuk and Cox were aware of the surprise awarding of the grant Monday night.
“I am a member of a teacher’s group on Facebook,” Wolgamott said. “The contest was mentioned there, and Ms. Doerschuk encouraged me to enter, so I did.”
Wolgamott said she plans to use the grant money to further upgrade the technology in her classroom. “I’m always looking for ways to help the students learn independently,” she said, “and to enable our students to connect with other second-graders around the country.”
Wolgamott has been a teacher at Strasburg schools for 14 years. She lives in the village with her husband, son and daughter.
Doerschuk said she was very pleased with Wolgamott’s grant win. “No one from the district has won this contest before, as far as I’m aware,” she said. “I know Ms. Wolgamott will put the money to good use. The students need to be exposed to technology from an early age to prepare them for their later education.”
Cox said the odds of Wolgamott winning were slim. “Of all the teachers from all over the United States who entered, there were only 180 of these grants awarded nationwide. She is one of 60 winners in Ohio. The grant winner was chosen by vote, so she was chosen by a lot of people supporting her and voting for her.”
The initial contest entry included a brief essay, which Cox shared with the audience Monday evening. The essay read in part:
“Two of my goals for my classroom are to make learning fun and to help students at all levels to reach their greatest potential. To help accomplish these goals, I would like to be able to add additional technology to the classroom. Technology is an amazing way for our students to access and experience the world outside of our small town.”
The crowd, which filled the gymnasium bleachers to capacity, burst into applause and cheers when Wolgamott’s name was announced. Wolgamott had been handling visual effects for the Christmas pageant from the back of the gym as the children gave their renditions of standard Christmas songs, like “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.”
Cox said Farmers Insurance awards grants in a year-long process that can reach as high as $100,000. The company has awarded more than $3 million in grants since the program began four years ago including six annual $100,000 grants. More information about the program is available at www.ThankAmericasTeachers.com.