​Voya Honors West Nyack Teachers With Grant

WEST NYACK, NY — A group of teachers at Blue Rock Elementary School in West Nyack have received a $2,000 grant as part of Voya Financial's 2019 Unsung Heroes awards program. Voya announced that Caty Laignel, Nicole Palitti and Charlotte Jack have received the grant.

Through the Voya Unsung heroes program, Voya Financial awards grants to K-12 educators nationwide to honor their innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects and their ability to positively influence the children they teach.

This team's innovative teaching idea, "Blue Rock Outdoor Classroom," focuses on combining classroom discussion and reflection with hands-on and immersive exploration by teaching students the importance of environmental stewardship, while combining it with science education. Students will conduct comparative soil studies, observe native insects and dissect the local flora while within a controlled and safe environment. The group hopes to instill a deep and comprehensive understanding of nature while nurturing the naturally inquisitive minds of their students.

Selected from a group of more than 650 applicants, the group is among 100 winners across the country who will receive this award to help fund and bring their program to life. In addition, they will now compete with other finalists for one of the top three prizes — an additional $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000 from Voya Financial.

Heather Lavalle, president of tax-exempt markets for Voya's retirement business, said the company was honored to help Laignel, Palitti and Jack go above and beyond to prepare the leaders of tomorrow to be successful.

"After awarding over $5 million in grants, the program continues to be a catalyst for innovative learning," she said. "It provides educators with an opportunity to make an impact in their community, inspire their students and be recognized for their creative teaching ideas."

Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.