College of Education and Human Development
Kayleigh Zinkham Wins $5,000 as Part of Class Assignment
February 6, 2014
Most students haven't thought about applying for – much less winning! – a grant. But that's exactly what happens each year when students complete their final assignment for EDRD 635.
Kayleigh Zinkham, a first grade teacher and graduate student in the Literacy and Reading program at George Mason University, was just notified that she won a $5,000 grant for her school, Cougar Elementary School in Manassas Park.
Ms. Zinkham submitted the application as part of the requirements for “School-Based Inquiry in Literacy” (EDRD 635), the culminating course for practicing teachers who are seeking an advanced license as a K-12 Reading Specialist.
Kayleigh Zinkham's winning grant application will support literacy at Cougar Elementary School. Pictured from left: Pamela Terry, principal; Ms. Zinkham, first grade teacher; Desiree Tickle, assistant principal; and Patty Gilham, IT administrator.
"I am overjoyed to win and I just wanted to say a big 'Thank You' for making this a requirement for class," said Ms. Zinkham, who is on track to earn a master's degree in curriculum and instruction. "I never would have even dreamed of submitting such a proposal, but with the guidance from the literacy program, it made a big dream a reality!"
The $5,000 that Ms. Zinkham received is from a NEA Student Achievement grant. It will fund iPad or other tablets and activities to support literacy and reading at Cougar Elementary School.
"I'm really pleased with the success of this assignment and the results our students are getting," said Allison Ward-Parsons, assistant professor and academic program coordinator for the Reading and Literacy program. "Literacy specialists are in a position to understand the needs of the teachers they serve and then procure funding to support literacy instruction in their schools. This assignment gives students practice with this aspect of the profession and makes what they're learning in class begin to have a very real impact on how they perceive their role and influence."
Other recent students who have successfully received grants as a result of the course include Brittany Monfette; Andrea Crosson, who earned a graduate certificate as a literacy reading specialist in 2013; and Rebecca Popek and Alida Katzenberg, who earned master's degrees in 2013.
About CEHD
George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) includes two schools: the Graduate School of Education, one of the largest teacher preparation and education schools in Virginia, and the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism. CEHD offers a comprehensive range of degrees, certificates, courses, and licensure programs on campus, online, and on site. The college is distinguished by faculty who encourage new ways of thinking and pioneering research supported by more than $75 million in funding over the past five years.
For additional information:
- CEHD Communications: cehdnews@gmu.edu
- Graduate School of Education: gse.gmu.edu
- Literacy and Reading program: gse.gmu.edu/literacy-and-reading
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