Hamilton County Teacherpreneurs pitched their big ideas in a #EdStartUp competition

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Teacherpreneurs came together Sunday with their business plans that could help them teach students in fun new ways.

The Public Education Foundation funds teachers who have big ideas and they call it an Incubator, where they can offer business and financial support.

Tonight’s event allowed teachers to pitch their ideas to a group of judges.

This is a partnership between PEF and Hamilton County Schools to put connect teachers who are entrepreneurs with experts and community members to make their projects happen.

Michael Stone says, “We are here to celebrate great teachers in Hamilton County. These teachers have a lot of amazing ideas that they want to bring to fruition that impact their classrooms, their school, their community and as you can see… we found some rock stars.

The winners of the Innovation District award went to Chelsie Durham & Lauren Swanson from Lakeside Academy.

They are planning to do a conference called Teach Like a Boss.

Swanson says, We were so excited for the opportunity, not many times teachers don’t get the opportunity to think like entrepreneurs so this was an amazing opportunity for us to have.”

“Teach like a boss is a two-day event for teachers and it’s created by real teachers,” says Durham.

Fifteen other teams participated and if the project didn’t win, it doesn’t mean they won’t get funding.

The Public Education Foundation works to partner them with local companies who can help make their projects happen.

Cohort 5 Educators:

  • Michelle Bettis (East Hamilton School), Stephanie Montgomery (STEM School), and Nikki Russell (Orchard Knob Elementary)
  • Tyler Roberson (Soddy Daisy Middle)
  • Michael Caraccio (Sale Creek School)
  • Chelsie Durham and Lauren Swanson (Lakeside Academy)
  • Maureen Clark (Soddy Daisy High)
  • Sherry Heinz (The Howard School)
  • Erika Martin (East Brainerd Elementary)
  • Karen West, Comelia Franceschi, Laurie Clifton (CSLA) and Susan Morrison (Tyner Academy)
  • Audrey Pulse (Wallace A. Smith Elementary)
  • Sam Martin (Red Bank Middle)
  • Tarah Kemp (DuPont Elementary)
  • Kristina Williams (Brainerd High)
  • Marcie Williams (Ooltewah HIgh)
  • Tad Russell (Soddy Daisy Middle)
  • Jessica Hoover (Hixson Elementary)
  • Chris Seanard (Dalewood Middle)

Categories: Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Local News

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