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Grant to help teacher start robotics program
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Frank Long Elementary School teacher Becky Busby smiles as she receives a grant for $2,500 from Farmers Insurance agents Barry Gravitt and Corlin Irving - photo by By Lawrence Dorsey

Becky Busby plans to use a $2,500 grant to take Frank Long Elementary School to the next level.

Busby, a kindergarten through fifth grade gifted teacher, was awarded the grant from Farmers Insurance to kick start her robotics program idea.

"My goal is to start the very first robotics program in Liberty County right here at Frank Long Elementary," Busby said.

She was in the school cafeteria talking with staff about an upcoming Christmas party when Farmers Insurance representatives and FLE Principal Debra Sukaratana came in to surprise her with a giant check. Her colleagues clapped and cheered.

"I learned about a week or so ago that Ms. Busby had won and I’m extremely excited that she is able to bring a program like this to our students at our school," Sukaratana said. "They are very deserving and she is a superior teacher that only cares about the best for our kids."

Busby serves a select group of students and Sukaratana commended her for wanting the program for the entire student body to experience.

Busby plans to use the grant to purchase Dash and Dot robots that students can program and code with iPads.

"It teaches advance robotics and programming. We’re also going to get some Sphero robots, a BB-8 which interacts with Star Wars, which will get the kids really excited about coding and programming and computers," Busby said.

Farmers Insurance Agent Barry Gravitt said he was thrilled and grateful to present Busby with the check. Farmers Insurance gives $10 million in grants annually to teachers, Gravitt said, and called the process "competitive."

Busby applied online for the grant in early October. Her project had to stay within the top 60 projects with the most votes in order to be considered.

"I am beyond the moon excited. I’m so thankful. Thankful for everyone who voted for the project. Thankful for my colleagues and we have students across all of Liberty County that voted and that made a huge impact as well. I had to beg and beg and beg people to vote for it," she said.

She was overwhelmed by the surprise and could hardly believe that her project idea was chosen.

"I’m so excited and I know Frank Long is going to benefit and the students here at Frank Long for many, many years to come are going to have the opportunity to use these robotics, to participate in higher order thinking and reach beyond just what the textbook can offer and just take everything to the next level," Busby said.

She believes the program will prepare students for jobs in the future that do not exist yet.

"I’m so thankful to Farmers Insurance for thinking of our project and thinking of Frank Long," Busby said. "I’m thankful for my students—they’re my inspiration. I’m just happy that I get to play a little part in their educational journey."

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BI hosts LCSS Gala
LibertyCountySchools

Bradwell Institute’s Friends Helping Friends will host the 3rdAnnual Liberty County School System Special Needs Gala Saturday at 7p.m.

The dance portion of the gala is free and open to the public.

FHF was started three years ago by BI special needs teacher Charlie Moon. FHF is comprised of a large group of general education students that connect special needs students with their general education peers. They have raised $20,000 in the last 30 months, for events like this, a new sensory room, music therapy equipment, and many other fun events. 

“FHF does so much for the special needs students. It really brings them out in their social skills. They become so much more comfortable around us all,” FHF Junior Danielle Hennessee said. 

FHF Junior Jada Naftzinger said it’s a two-way street. “It not only helps them, but us as well. It brings us out of our own shells and comfort zones.” 

Moon added, “For us, the Gala is not our calling card. I’ve told the students from day one, unless they truly know these special needs students, we won’t do the Gala at all. We’ll throw a big pizza party instead. The point is, we want the kids to really focus on the one-on-one, in-class work, hanging out in the halls, really talking to them. That’s the only way this program truly reaches its potential. Our motto is, “Changing lives, one friend at a time.”

During a private dinner which precedes the public dance, district office personnel, representatives from Congressman Buddy Carter’s office, district SPED staff, BI Football players and FHF members, parents and the honored guests – 50 special needs students from around the district will be in attendance.

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