Each year in October, the Franklin County Retired Educators hold a silent auction to raise money for an in-school grant for a classroom teacher in Franklin County. This year’s target system was Mt. Blue Regional School District from which 11 applications were received.

Since the auction was successful, the group was able to fund two projects. Each grant was $300, according to a news release from the association.

Kathryn Desjardins Photo courtesy of Franklin County Retired Educators

This year’s recipients are Kathryn Desjardins in Mallett School’s Life Skills program, and Matt Fournier at Mt. Blue High School.

Desjardins will use her grant to purchase Language Builder kits to support critical language development with photos and manipulative materials.

Matt Fournier Photo courtesy of Franklin County Retired Educators

Fournier will purchase hands-on materials to enable students to build a soilless growing environment to produce edibles indoors.

Both Desjardins and Fournier will provide updates on their project results at the May meeting of the retired educators.