Story by Ainsley Hall
HEDGESVILLE — Ashley Battaglini, academic coach at Hedgesville Elementary School, received the NEA Foundation’s Student Success Grant to help fund special folders for phonics lessons.
Each folder is laminated so students can write on it with dry erase markers, and inside, there are Velcro letters to help teach students how to spell simple words.
As an academic coach, it’s Battaglini’s responsibility to work with teachers to reach their needs in the classroom. Battaglini, who first saw the idea on a Facebook page, was looking for a way to use the new curriculum the county adopted through the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI). By using the folders, students have everything they need in one place, giving teachers more time to help their students learn.
“The idea wasn’t mine, but that’s one of the great things about being an academic coach,” Battaglini said. “I get to step out and see what other schools are doing and get ideas from them. I get to see what’s been successful and decide what idea might work for our school.”
After she got the idea, Battaglini started looking for grants to help fund the project. She applied for the Student Success Grant, which is designed to support educators who are putting together projects to help students succeed. She received $2,021 to go toward colored paper, copying all the material, laminated the folders and over 42,000 Velcro dots.
“I love that I can still go into the classroom and be with the kids, but I can also go out and see the grown-ups,” Battaglini said. “I get to see them all grow. Now, I’m able to take a step back with my team and see the excitement in them. I love collaborating with different teachers and helping them get the resources and materials they need. It’s very rewarding.”
Volunteers helped put the folders together. It took a lot of time and hard work to print, cut, laminate and attach all the Velcro dots to finish each of the folders. They made 600 folders and divided them up between the different classrooms at Hedgesville Elemenetary, so every teacher had access to them.
Battaglini shared that after sticking so many Velcro dots, many of the volunteers’ fingers were rubbed raw and sore.
“My favorite part was being able to provide teachers and students with materials before they even started going through the curriculum,” Battaglini said. “Not every teacher chooses to use the folders, but I at least give them the option.”
Through this project, Battaglini and her volunteers helped students at Hedgesville Elementary have an easier way to learn phonics skills. They also helped teachers stay organized and teach their students more efficiently.