LI Teacher Among 40 Winners To Receive $2,500 Grant

BRENTWOOD, NY — A Long Island teacher was among 40 New York educators to recently receive a State Farm Teacher Assist program grant.

Each of the teachers were asked to submit their innovative teaching ideas the week of January 11 for an opportunity to win grants for their project. A total of 200 submissions were accepted and reviewed.

Out of those submissions, 40 New York teachers received a $2,500 grant to implement or support their classroom projects.

Allison Lynch, a teacher at North Middle School in Brentwood, was among those to receive the funding. She is planning on using the grant to purchase standing desks for her students.

The local teacher came up with the idea after finding that research shows students retain more information when they are standing and able to move around.

Lynch hopes her efforts will improve students’ memory and focus. In addition, many students at the school are English Language Learners. She believes the standing desks will give her more proficient students the autonomy to collaborate with struggling English learners.