Wortham HS receives tech grants from Region 12

• Wortham ISD career and technology director Amy Jo Miller (second from left) and Wortham High School teacher and chess club sponsor Alicia Smith (second from right) each received technology grants from the Region 12 Education Center Thursday morning at Wortham High School. Also pictured are WISD superintendent Melissa Bosley and Wortham High School principal David Hayes. Photo by Jason Chlapek/Fairfield Recorder

WORTHAM - Alicia Hayes didn’t quite know what to think Thursday morning.

Representatives from the Region 12 Education Center surprised her with a grant for $2,108 which she applied for a few months ago.

“They showed up in my classroom with bells and whistles, and I didn’t quite know what to think,” Hayes said. “They came in with the sign and check, and it was amazing.”

Hayes wasn’t the only Wortham ISD employee to receive a grant. Career and Technology Coordinator Amy Jo Miller also received a grant for $12,494 for a CNC woodworking machine.

“It can also do plastics and other materials,” Miller said. “The students will be able to use a computer to design things and do a little bit more than the standard things that they would do with hand tools or regular saws. It’ll work well in tandem with a sister machine that we have in the welding shop.”

Hayes, an English teacher at Wortham High School, is also the faculty advisor for the school’s chess club.

The grant will fund computers to help with her club.

“This is for electronic chess computers and it’ll be amazing for them to use these computers,” Hayes said. “They can learn how to play chess or play against someone. There are beginning levels and advanced levels. I have a chess club where people can come at lunch or after school and learn the game. Chess develops critical thinking skills and I hope to incorporate it into the classroom for the purpose of helping with critical thinking skills.”

Wortham was one of three school districts to receive grants from Region 12 for technology purposes. Blooming Grove and Midway were the others.

“With this machine, students can design things with a little more intricacy and be able to cut out shapes,” Miller said.