Stephanie Stone

Georgia Teachers Initiative Grant Winner

Ms. Stone of Peachtree Ridge High School in Gwinnett County Public Schools will use a $2,500 Teacher Grant for Innovation to implement “LEAP: Literacy & Entrepreneurship Advancement Program.” This year-long course for 9^th graders integrates Language Arts, Marketing, and Communication to create a project-based, student-centered learning experience where students earn three academic credits while launching a class-based business. The program addresses academic disengagement by connecting literacy with entrepreneurship, allowing students to read texts, produce authentic writing, and apply marketing concepts through real-world tasks. Funding will be used to support startup supplies, marketing materials, and basic equipment for the student-run enterprise, giving learners practical experience in product development, promotion, and sales. LEAP fosters collaboration across disciplines, builds career readiness, and promotes equity through inclusive, community-connected instruction, offering a flexible, scalable model for educational innovation.

Innovation in my classroom means blending academic learning with real-world application to spark student engagement and ownership. Through LEAP, students don’t just study language arts or marketing – they live it. They read, write, speak, and create within the context of building a real business. This hands-on, cross-curricular approach disrupts traditional learning by making education meaningful, inclusive, and future-focused. Students develop academic and career skills simultaneously, preparing them for both high school success and life beyond. Innovation transforms my classroom into a launchpad for creativity and critical thinking.

- Stephanie Stone

Stephanie Stone

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