Sorrento Springs Library Media Specialist Receives WGU MO Grant

Dr. Jenny Gray, a library media specialist at Sorrento Springs Elementary in the Parkway School District in Ballwin, has received an $850 grant through WGU Missouri’s “Fund My Classroom” initiative. The funds will be used by Gray to transform the area outside the library window into an outdoor reading courtyard, featuring comfortable outdoor seating, steppingstones created by students and a sunshade. Gray learned she was selected for the grant on May 11 when she was surprised with a check presentation at her school.

Because students have spent so much time trapped indoors due to COVID-19, Gray believes it’s important for them to be outside and reconnect with nature. The outdoor reading courtyard will provide a space where students can work collaboratively on projects or just calm themselves, read and enjoy nature. Gray's hope is that the space will foster a love of nature in her students, which in turn will inspire them to care more about our planet and live out life sustainability.

The innovative classroom project is one of 52 across Missouri chosen by WGU Missouri to receive funding. The nonprofit, fully online university issued a call in March for K-12 teachers across the state to nominate proposed classroom projects by April 18 for the opportunity to receive full or partial funding through its “Fund My Classroom” initiative. Gray’s proposal was one of almost 400 nominations received statewide. Most grants were awarded during Teacher Appreciation Week, which ran May 3-7.

“We were happy to read about all the amazing projects our teachers have planned and are excited we can bring so many to life through our ‘Fund My Classroom’ initiative,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Chancellor of WGU Missouri. “This past year has been a challenging one for both teachers and students as they were forced to adapt to new styles of teaching and learning. This initiative is an opportunity for WGU to celebrate teachers and thank them for their dedication to educating and positively impacting their students, while enhancing learning for students – both in and out of the classroom.”

To learn more about the “Fund My Classroom” initiative and the work WGU Missouri is doing to help teachers advance their careers, visit missouri.wgu.edu.

About WGU Missouri
WGU Missouri is a competency-based, online university created to expand access to higher education for Missouri residents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Missouri faculty members serve as mentors, working one-on-one with students, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction.

Established in 2013 through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Missouri is open to all qualified Missouri residents. The university is nonprofit and self-sustaining on flat-rate tuition of about $7,000 per year for most programs.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Nursing College programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*), and the Health Informatics program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

More information is available at missouri.wgu.edu or by calling 855.948.8493.

*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791).