Teacher awarded $1,000 arts grant

Stephanie Grabow, an elementary school teacher at Rancho Rosal, is one of 25 recipients of the Airborne Teacher Trust Fund grant.

The grant, created by Airborne Inc., makers of an immuneboosting herbal health formula, is designed to help elementary and middle school teachers implement art and music programs in their schools.

Grabow received a $1,000 grant to help support an art program in need of watercolor paints and brushes, oil pastels, chalk pastels and art reproductions.

"This art program is designed to inspire students, and it allows every child the opportunity to feel successful," said Grabow. "It is essential to the students of Rancho Rosal because it allows them the unique opportunity of learning about an important period in art history and to explore their own creativity."

Victoria Knight-McDowell, a former second-grade school teacher and creator of the health formula, developed the Airborne Teacher Trust Fund.

"With budgets becoming tighter each year, schools are faced with the difficult decision of having to cut vital programs," said KnightMcDowell. "The (fund) is meant to fill the gap and keep our youth engaged and inspired, so they can live full and rewarding lives."

Elise Donahue, Airborne CEO, said the trust fund is beginning with an investment of $250,000. Grants ranging from $200 to $10,000 will be awarded to teachers to implement programs during the 2006-07 school year.

Programs are evaluated based on need, projected impact to students, educational program elements and the teacher's desire and passion to succeed.

For more information about the grant, visit www.AirborneTrust.com.