Michelin partnership sparks classroom innovation across Lexington District 1

More than 1,000 students will experience additional hands-on learning opportunities this school year, thanks to $5,000 in Michelin Golden Apple Teacher Grants presented by the Lexington County School District One Educational Foundation.

Funded through Michelin North America Inc., the annual fall grants provide up to $500 per classroom for project-based resources beyond standard school budgets. Eleven educators across nine schools earned funding to bring creative instruction directly to their students.

"Michelin is proud to continue our partnership with the Lexington One Educational Foundation to invest in our local schools and educators," said Will Salley, foundation board member and plant quality manager at the Michelin Lexington site. "Supporting these grants allows us to foster innovation, curiosity and critical hands-on learning experiences that equip students with skills for the future while directly empowering teachers to bring their best ideas to life."

2026-27 Michelin Golden Apple Grant Award teacher winners are:

• Carolina Springs Elementary School: Marisha Frierson, Ashlynn McDevitt

Project: Integrating 3D printing into a behavior support classroom

• Carolina Springs Elementary School: Michelle Torok, Tracie Prevatte

Project: “Number Ninjas” math mentorship program, partnering with White Knoll High School STEM student leaders to mentor math RTI students through interactive games and critical thinking activities

• Lexington Elementary School: Olga Brown

Project: “3D: Rainbow Fish,” enhancing literacy instruction with design thinking

• Midway Elementary School: Chelsie Landy

Project: Practicing sequencing, directional language and spatial reasoning with Bee-Bots

• Oak Grove Elementary School: Melissa Shuman, Nicole Shull, Laurie Stokes

Project: Expanding the Inclusivity Garden with kindergarten-level projects and lessons

• Pelion Middle School: Linda Rosemond

Project: “Building Bridges” across math and reading gaps using Sphero Mini robots

• Pleasant Hill Elementary School: Erin Calichio, Jamie Ogletree

Project: Creating a STEM learning area in a CC1 special education classroom

• Red Bank Elementary School: Kristen Cecce

Project: Establishing a screen-free STEM rotation station to build foundational computational thinking and problem-solving skills

• River Bluff High School: Jennifer Gibbons

Project: Measuring with precision using clinometers

• White Knoll High School: Shannon Wessinger

Project: Visualizing human geography through 3D printing

• White Knoll High School: Reggie Ybanez, Melanie Boyle, Alicia Smith

Project: Constructing three-dimensional representations of major seafloor features

Established in 1994, the Lexington One Educational Foundation builds philanthropic partnerships to enrich educational experiences in Lexington County School District One. To learn more, visit: www.Lex1EdFound.org.