This week’s One Class at a Time recipient is first-grade teacher Erin Vetsch of Prickly Pear Elementary School in East Helena.
Vetsch is helping her young students work out some energy while staying focused in the classroom.
Quinton Mergenthaler of First Interstate Bank was joined by KXLH to surprise Vetsch at her school with a $250 check.
The money from the grant will be used to purchase more exercise balls and wobble chairs students can sit on during class.
Vetsch said it’s a noticeable improvement when the students have the opportunity to get out some energy in a non-distracting way.
“At first-grade they need to move and we spend a lot of time sitting on the floor or in a seat and they don’t have that opportunity to get those wiggles out,” said Vetsch. “So if they have something that moves with them then they can wiggle move and learn at the same time.”
Vetsch said the grant program is a wonderful opportunity for schools and helps cover costs that would come out of teacher’s pockets otherwise.
For more than a decade, First Interstate Bank and MTN have partnered for the One Class at a Time grant.
The mission of the grant is to foster educational opportunities for local teachers and students.
A panel of retired teachers and school officials select the grant recipients from a pool of submitted applications.
For more information about One Class at a Time, including how to apply, visit here.
-Reported by John Riley/MTN News
