WSCC students assist in securing grant for Shelby Middle School library

WSCC students assist in securing grant for Shelby Middle School library

Tiger Pride is a presentation of Shelby Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press. 

VICTORY TOWNSHIP (Mason County) — West Shore Community College students enrolled in the winter semester Reading Methods class, taught by Professor Seán Henne, recently secured a $1,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Oceana County. The grant funds will be used to purchase books for the Shelby Middle School  

“The research my students have done clearly shows that great books can make a huge difference,” said Henne. ”I’m very proud of them.” 

Henne gave his students the grant writing assignment after meeting Shellie Dorman, Shelby Middle School’s special education teacher, at a Literacy Network meeting last fall. “Shellie was so passionate about the need to get help acquiring good books and strengthening the library,” Henne said, “and she was wonderful meeting and working with my students to facilitate the grant.”

Henne’s students spent the month of April researching what kinds of text-based practices best supported the teaching of social students. As requested by Jessica Danielson, the SMS principal, they focused specifically on books to aid the learning of history and geography. “I am so excited for our students to have access to new print materials that will aid in their learning,” said Danielson. “We appreciate the students of WSCC writing this grant for us, the financial donors of the grant, and to Ms. Dorman for her leadership in making student learning our top priority here at Shelby Middle School. Our students and teachers will utilize these materials to enhance educational practices.”

Lillian Mickevich led the project as WSCC’s Future Teacher’s Club president.

In awarding Shelby Middle School, the grant attracted support from two foundation donor advised fundholders, Gary and Mary Ann Peterson “Grandpa & Grandma Pete” Memorial Fund and the William R. Lathers Foundation Fund.

“It’s quite lovely, really,” Henne said. “All the layers of partnership that made acquiring these books possible, from the generous donors, through the (Community Foundation of Oceana County) itself and its Youth Advisory Council, the SMS staff, and the cheerful energy of my students who worked on it.”

This coming fall, Shelby Middle School and WSCC plan to partner on a Literacy Night at the middle school to unveil the books and introduce them to the school’s staff, students, and the wider community.

“It’s exciting to offer students a new variety of books,” Dorman said. “When they read more, they learn empathy for other’s differences.”