​​​JCSS Foundation Announces Grant Recipients

The Jackson County School System Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit established in May 2025, has announced its spring semester staff grant recipients. The Foundation awards seven grants to staff throughout the system, each for $1,000. 

The seven grants are split into varying categories, to include: Literacy, Elementary STEM, Secondary STEM, CTAE, Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Education and Community Engagement. 

The literacy grant is named in honor of Emily Dantzler, a longtime educator at South Jackson Elementary School who passed away from cancer in 2025. The physical education grant is named after longtime coach and teacher Heather Backer, who passed away from cancer in 2024. The community engagement grant is named to honor Charlene Faulkner, a member of the JCHS staff for over 30 years who suddenly passed away in August 2023. 

The grant recipients are as follows:

Emily Dantzler Literacy Leader Grant - Stacey Blagg, South Jackson Elementary School

Heather Backer P.E. Grant - Lindsey Williams, East Jackson High School

Charlene Faulkner Community Engagement Grant - Hali Chase, Jackson County High School

Elementary STEM Grant - Emily Wibel and Whitney Jordan, East Jackson Elementary School

Secondary STEM Grant - Michael Shawler, East Jackson High School

CTAE Grant - Douglas Ray, Jackson County High School

Visual and Performing Arts Grant - Brooke Bong, Jackson County High School