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Union Power Cooperative recently awarded more than $20,000 in Bright Ideas grants to teachers in its five-county service area, which will benefit more than 1,100 Stanly County students.

The Bright Ideas grant program, sponsored by North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, strives to improve education in North Carolina classrooms and teachers by providing them the funds to further their projects and creativity. Grants are awarded up to $2,000 to teachers that apply for innovative, classroom-based projects in grades K-12.

Shelly Vetter of Badin Elementary won $1,412 for her “Beat Your Heart Out!” idea. West Stanly Middle School teaches Callie Thigpen and Mary Barbee won $958 for Triple C (Colts’ Chicken Coop) and $860 for Colt News – Vlogging & Videos, respectively.

“Teachers in our area have come up with new and innovative ways to teach their students an unforgettable experience in education — which is what the Bright Ideas grant program is all about! Through these innovative and creative ideas from our teachers, students are able to engage in learning inside and outside of the classroom. We are thankful we can help strengthen our communities through programs like Bright Ideas,” said Carrie Stroud, vice president of communications and marketing at Union Power.