HELENA — This week’s One Class at a Time recipient is Jim Darcy Elementary teacher Kim Helseth.
Helseth is helping her students learn math skills by playing games.
Members of First Interstate Bank were joined by KXLH to surprise her at Jim Darcy with a $250 check.
The money will be used to create a math club with games like cribbage and rummikub.
Helseth said the games help kids learn addition, number combinations and anticipating number patterns.
“They need to see math as not just homework or something that they struggle with at school, but something that is just part of the way they think critically,” said Helseth. “It’s just part of everyday life, it doesn’t have to be a chore.”
Helseth added she is grateful for the support and will be able to get enough games for 25 kids to be playing with at a time thanks to the grant.
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.
