West Plains Elementary 1st grade reading specialist Stormy Peeler and the Title 1 paraprofessional, Dianna Haeffner, visited 1st-grade classrooms to teach students a trick on remembering the direction of b's and d's.

Some of the lesson supplies were purchased and made possible through a classroom innovation grant awarded by the West Plains Education Foundation to Ms. Peeler. The grant brought fun and innovative ways to reach struggling first-grade readers.

The West Plains Education Foundation was organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. Its funds develop and assist with programs that promote students' academic success. The foundation has awarded over $130,000 in mini-grants for teachers to date. Last year, the foundation awarded over $15,000 in grants to over 50 teachers for projects like this one. To donate, email news@zizzers.org or call 417-256-6150.