Tooker Avenue Teacher Secures Grant for Global Education

Tooker Avenue Elementary School third-grade teacher Susan Gottlieb recently secured a Kids in Need Teacher Grant for her class, sponsored by the Office Depot Foundation and Office Depot Star Teacher Program, Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores, Fred Meyer, and Via Credit Union.

To further develop her students’ understanding of communities around the world, Gottlieb will use the grant to connect students to a classroom in France. Tooker Avenue’s students will be introduced to French customs, foods and language.

The third-graders will also write and decorate cards to their pen pals in France and eventually communicate with their new friends via Skype.

“My hope is that through this project the students will gain tolerance and appreciation for how other people live,” said Gottlieb. “We will also complete a similar project with classes in Mexico and Japan.”

To date, Gottlieb has received a total of $31,716 in grant money for the West Babylon Union Free School District.