Two girls on the taxi trike

Three Chesterfield teachers earned Creative Teacher Awards, presented by the Gamma Psi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) International. The $500 awards were chosen through a blind selection process that reviewed submissions to fund innovative and positive projects that serve students and schools.

This year’s award winners are:

Lisa Gwaltney, a PreK teacher at Matoaca Elementary.

Lisa Gwaltney with representatives from DKG and her students

Lisa purchased a Taxi Trike, which is a trike built for two children. This fun vehicle will promote physical, social and emotional development, and will be shared with the early childhood special education students to promote inclusion for many years to come.

Two children on the Taxi Trike

Jessica Sutton, a K-5 STEAM teacher at Grange Hall Elementary.

Jessica sutton with representatives from DKG

Jessica purchased two Lego Duplo sets, STEAM Park and Coding Express, to provide hands-on learning for while fostering collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and good citizenship. Students will build projects to share with their classmates.

Four children on the floor playing with the Duplo sets

Samantha McMillian, a K-5 Title I reading teacher at Falling Creek Elementary.

Samantha McMillian with representatives from DKG

Samantha is sharing her award with incoming teachers. She is purchasing decorative materials that new teachers with few resources can use to transform their classrooms into warm, exciting, and welcoming learning environments for their students.

A classroom decorated with colorful ocean scenes

The Gamma Psi chapter has provided funds directly to Chesterfield teachers through the Creative Teacher Award program, formerly known as the Innovative Teacher Award, since 2014. Delta Kappa Gamma International is an organization of women educators whose vision statement is “leading women educators impacting education worldwide.”