HTC and HEC launched the Bright Ideas program in January 2007 with the hopes of providing funding for innovative classroom-based education projects.  “Bright Ideas” grants are intended to fund projects outside normal public school funding parameters and can be made available to all disciplines in grades K-12 in Horry County.  A school may submit an application, and teachers are limited to one application per year.

“Many teachers develop innovative classroom projects, but do not have the funds to implement the projects,” said Nicole Hyman, HTC Senior Marketing Coordinator.  “HTC and HEC launched the Bright Ideas program to help fund those projects.” 

HTC and HEC recently visited eight schools in the area to deliver nearly $8,000 in grant money. 

Megan Acre, Special Education Teacher at Kingston Elementary, received $1,000 to purchase a Smartboard to enhance instruction for special needs students. 

Charles Devine, teacher at Conway High School, received $950 to purchase LanDesk computer software to monitor student achievement and keep at risk students on track. 

Mary Figura, Curriculum Specialist for Socastee Elementary, received $995 to purchase materials and technology to create and maintain instructional literacy center stations that will be used to address instructional deficiencies and demonstrate techniques for improving instructional assessments. 

Lori Gorman, teacher at North Myrtle Beach Middle School, received $1,000 to purchase video equipment and create standards-based educational videos for use in core classes. 

Martha Hutchinson, Curriculum Specialist at Green Sea Floyds Elementary, received $1,000 to purchase a Smartboard for interactive hands-on, minds-on technology that will accommodate different learning styles. 

Cathy Nelson, teacher at Conway Middle School, received $1,000 for a Techstravaganza event to be hosted by the school. 

Shannon Prince, music teacher at Pee Dee Elementary, received $1,000 to purchase a Smartboard to enhance her music classroom. 

And, Ann Reinisch, teacher at Forestbrook Middle School, received $1,000 to purchase Fly Pens to help students with language translation needs. 

The Bright Ideas grant program is just one of the many programs HTC and HEC implement in the educational sector of Horry County. 

(from left to right) Nicole Hyman, HTC; Shannon Prince, Pee Dee Elementary Music Teacher; Cheryl Banks, Pee Dee Elementary Principal, Toni Gore, HEC

(from left to right) Nicole Hyman, HTC; Charles Devine, Conway High Teacher; Toni Gore, HEC

(from left to right) Nicole Hyman, HTC; Michelle Thompson, Kingston Elementary Media Specialist; Megan Acre, Kingston Elementary Teacher; Toni Gore, HEC

(from left to right) Nicole Hyman, HTC; Cathy Nelson, Conway Middle Teacher; Amy Porter, Conway Middle Teacher;
Toni Gore, HEC

(from left to right) Nicole Hyman, HTC; Ann Reinisch, Forestbrook Middle Teacher; Toni Gore, HEC

(from left to right) Nicole Hyman, HTC; Judy Bratcher, Socastee Elementary Principal; Toni Gore, HEC

(from left to right) Nicole Hyman, HTC; Lori Gorman, NMB Middle Teacher; Toni Gore, HEC

(from left to right) Nicole Hyman, HTC; Shirley Huggins, GSF Elementary Principal; Bebe Harrelson, GSF Elementary Assistant Principal; Trella Collins; GSF Elementary Teacher; Toni Gore, HEC