4 Clarksville teachers recognized by national group

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Four teachers with the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System have been recognized by Voya Financial for innovative and creative teaching methods and the positive influence they have on their students

Voya Financial is "a leading provider of retirement plans for educators," according to a news release. Through the company's "Voya Unsung Heroes" program, it awards grants to K-12 educators nationwide to help fund their innovative teaching programs.

At Northeast High School, Bridget Cloud — along with Karen Pitts and Tavis Massey — was awarded a $2,000 grant for the team's "Recycled Computers 4 Students" idea, which "focused on refurbishing donated computers" and providing them to children of lower-income families, according to a news release.

Students involved in the project will learn about computer maintenance, business networking, project planning, computer design and giving back to the community, according to the release. Additionally, the project is "truly student-inspired" and "reinforces the theories they are learning in the classroom," as well as demostrates to students how they can provide "a much-needed resource to their community."

And Megan Clegg, an agricultural instructor at Northwest High School, was awarded a $2,000 grant for her "Vet Science Lab," which will focus on "improving the new Vet Science Program" at Northwest by "setting up a proper lab that includes microscopes and blood work equipment specific" to vet science studies, according to a release.

The Vet Science program is a part of the school's agriculture program, which abides by state-mandated standards requiring students "to complete hands-on experiences" to receive class credit, according to a news release. Additionally, Northwest is in a rural part of Clarksville, where parents and students want to see the ag program grow, and Clegg said she believes this project will bring pride to students, the school and the overall community.

Voya Financial is "passionate about supporting new and exciting ideas that have a positive impact in our local communities," Carolyn Johnson, the company's president of annuities and tax-exempt markets, said in a news release. "As we help Americans build a secure financial future, we're honored to help this group of teachers go above and beyond to prepare their students for their own successful future."

Voya selected the winners — 100 total — from around 1,000 applicants across the country. In addition to receiving the grants, the winners will compete with the other finalists for one of the program's top three grants: either an additional $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000.

Voya has awarded more than $4.5 million to aid the country's educators since 1996, according to the news release.

Reach government reporter Alexander Harris at 931-245-0742 and on Twitter @ACHarris_Leaf.