The Edgar and Eleanor Shannon Foundation for Excellence in Public Education has selected three teachers at Charlottesville High School and Charlottesville Middle School as winners of more than $9,000 in grants. The funds will support innovative classroom projects for the 2025-26 school year.

The winners in our division are: 

• Andrew Manning (left), a physics teacher at Charlottesville High School, won $3,473 for “Seeing the Invisible:  Bringing Particle Physics to Life through Cloud Chambers.” High school physics students will “see the invisible” as they observe real subatomic particles in action using cloud chambers, transforming radiation from abstract concepts to observable experiences. 
• Jen Kitt, Amber Westphal, and Samantha Pagni (center), the art department at Charlottesville High School, won $4,927 for “3D Design:  Pottery and Sculpture.” High school visual arts students will integrate three-dimensional design into their artistic practice as they explore creative possibilities in clay and experiment with innovative forms, materials, and concepts.
• Cianna Washburg (right), a 7th grade English teacher at Charlottesville Middle School, won $750 for “Battle of the Books: Building Voices Through Literature.” Seventh grade students will participate in a team-based, literacy-rich tournament where students collaboratively analyze diverse novels, apply critical thinking, and compete through games that celebrate comprehension, voice, and student choice.

The Shannon Foundation helps local public school educators to inspire a love of learning in their classroom. Each year, the foundation awards competitive grants to teachers to support innovative projects that provide students with fun, stimulating, hands-on opportunities to grow and learn. Learn more on the Shannon Grant website.