In the last six years, KHQA and our sponsors have given out more than $60,000 to area teachers and schools as part of our One Class at a Time initiative.
This month the grant was awarded to an applicant who has been adamant since the start of the program.
Her efforts to equip her students with the best learning supplies possible are coming true.
Meet Karen Finson.
"Totally shocked, totally shocked. Gosh just thank you it means a lot," said Finson.
Finson is a 7th grade homeroom teacher and a science teacher to 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at Blessed Sacrament in Quincy.
What does she plan on doing with the $1,000?
"I plan on buying a set of microscopes with the money, so that it's a little easier for the students to use and a little less trouble to find what they're looking for," said Finson.
Her current microscopes will take you back in time.
Seventh grader Anna Fenton was more than proud of her teacher.
"She's getting microscopes for our class because the ones we have now are really old so she's gonna get new ones with that and I feel like that will be great for our classes," said Fenton.
Students have to maneuver a mirror in order to find proper lighting, taking time away from a focused lesson.
After buying one compound compact microscope, the cost for more was too overbearing.
Thanks to KHQA sponsors, Continental Cement, Green America Recycling, Peevler Real Estate, and Doors 'N More, Finson now has the opportunity to upgrade the microscopes and improve her students' science education.
"Mrs. Finson does a lot for the school. She really cares you can see that when she teaches she really cares that we do well and she's not just gonna let us fail," said Fenton.
Congratulations Mrs. Finson!
If you know a teacher or administrator who could use a thousand dollars, have them fill out a One Class at a Time application here.