What is the Watauga Education Foundation?
The Watauga Education Foundation (WEF) is a volunteer-led non-profit 501(c)(3) committed to enriching learning for all Watauga County Public School students by:
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Promoting innovative educational experiences that inspire every student to achieve his/her highest potential.
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Supporting educators who foster a love of learning.
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Sponsoring community events that sustain students’ wonder, enthusiasm and perseverance.
Since 1989, WEF has awarded more than $1 million to enrich the educational experience in Watauga County Public Schools – funding projects that fall outside state and local budgets.
Past Grants & Scholarships
2024-2025 Classroom Grant Recipients
Total Grants Awarded: $25,00
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37 educators received grants
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2,596 students directly impacted by grants
​Dramatic Play Upgrade - Play Center Material
Beth Rodden, Bethel
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9 Square in the Air
Hope Mough, Bethel
Health Education Storytime- Books to Engage Students Allison Margerison, Bethel
Just Right Book Boxes
Laurie Gill, Blowing Rock
Number Sense Fluency- Materials to Reinforce Multiplication/Division Skills
Angela Watson, Blowing Rock
Sensory Exploration- EC Learning Centers
Misty Prichard, Green Valley
Happily Ever After- Props/Materials to Enhance CKLA Lessons
Misty Prichard, Green Valley
Communication for All- Communication Board for Playground
Tanya Priest and Chasity Schwarze, Hardin Park
Speech Therapy Minis- Speech Therapy Tools
Maralee Holden, Hardin Park
Kinesthetic Learning Through Play- Interactive Tubs for CKLA Lessons
Lindsey Wilson, Hardin Park
Let’s Get Ga-Ga Going
Andrew Eggers, Hardin Park
Nature’s Resilience- Grandfather Mountain in Class Lessons and Field Trip
Lisa Shaw, Hardin Park
LEGO Education- Coding/Building Lego Tech
Betsy Krause, Hardin Park
Connecting the Dots- Tools for PT & Speech
Candace Collie, Hardin Park
Reading Resources
Brenda Blalock, Mabel
Extending our Knowledge- Learning Materials/Manipulatives to Teach Cross-Curriculum Lessons
Kristina Shableski, Parkway
Art in the Wild
Elle Lowry, Parkway
New School, New Supplies
Lindsey Postlethwait, Valle Crucis
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