FRANKFORT, KY – Teacher Vision Grants from American Electric Power (AEP) and its Kentucky Power operating unit were recently presented to five eastern Kentucky educators. The grants, ranging from $425 to $500, provide funding to facilitate the introduction of new and innovative programs in local schools. Overall, the grants totaled $2,425.
 
Educators at four elementary schools and one career and technical school were grant beneficiaries. The schools are located in Ashland, Boyd County; Buckhorn, Perry County; Greenup, Greenup County; Phelps, Pike County; and Russell, Greenup County, Kentucky.
 
The Teacher Vision Grant program was launched in 2003 and is designed to provide aid ranging from $100 to $500 to classroom teachers in AEP’s and Kentucky Power’s service territories. The competitive grants are designed to help teachers implement original instructional programs and lessons in their classes.
 
"The lessons and programs are designed by local teachers to motivate youth to think creatively and/or to step into leadership roles. Often, teachers have great ideas for enhancing student education but lack the funds necessary to implement them. The Vision Grant program is designed to help them obtain all or part of the funding to make those great ideas reality," said Ronn Robinson, corporate communications manager for Kentucky Power.
 
"One of the most important contributions Kentucky Power can make in our service communities is to support education," said Tim Mosher, president and COO of Kentucky Power. "Education is important to the success of our service area and programs like our Teacher Vision Grants foster independent and creative thinking of both students and teachers. In the end, we all benefit."
 
Educators receiving Teacher Vision Grants include:

-- Amanda Carroll, Fairview Elementary School, Ashland: $500. A grant to introduce technology in the classroom that benefits special-needs students.
 
-- Olivia Combs, Buckhorn Elementary School, Buckhorn; $500. A grant to develop a lesson program that integrates science and mathematics in student learning through the study of everyday weather.

-- Anita Prater, Greysbranch Elementary School, Greenup: $425. A grant to develop a hands-on approach to learning math by exploring basic math concepts using "manipulatives," reading and parental interaction.

-- Kathleen Smith, Phelps Elementary School, Phelps: $500. A grant to implement a program that introduces students to the use of coal in producing electricity and its importance and impact on the communities from which it is mined.

-- Doug Keaton, Russell Area Technology Center, Russell: $500. A grant to create a high school-level electricity lineman preparation program.

Educators who live or teach in the AEP/Kentucky Power service area or in communities with major AEP facilities are eligible to apply for Vision Grants. Priority is given to educators who have attended AEP Workshops for Educators, National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project training, AEP’s E-Lab projects, or who are affiliated with an AEP school-business partnership. Projects that have an academic focus and goal of improving student achievement are eligible for consideration. AEP and Kentucky Power have a special interest in science, mathematics, technology, electrical safety and the balanced study of energy and the environment.
 
For more information on the Teacher Vision Grant Program and other AEP education initiatives, see www.aep.com/go/education.
 
Kentucky Power provides electricity to approximately 175,000 customers in all or parts of 20 eastern Kentucky counties. It is an operating unit of American Electric Power.
 
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning more than 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.
 
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