Van Buren Local School District is proud to announce that Mr. Adam Greer, 8th grade ELA teacher, and Mrs. Karen Dishong, 6th grade ELA teacher, have been awarded a $1,200 HancockREADS grant from The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation for 2025. This grant is dedicated to expanding middle school students’ access to a diverse selection of high-interest nonfiction digital texts in their ELA Growth classes.
The grant aims to increase students’ exposure to nonfiction materials, providing them with engaging and relevant content that supports their literacy development. Mr. Greer and Mrs. Dishong will implement structured nonfiction reading activities designed to enhance students’ comprehension skills. These activities will focus on improving students’ abilities to analyze, summarize, and evaluate informational texts, fostering critical thinking and academic success.
In addition to building comprehension skills, the program promotes real-world learning by linking nonfiction reading to practical experiences. Students will participate in discussion groups and research projects and hear from guest speakers, connecting their reading to careers, current events, and everyday life. This approach encourages students to see the relevance of nonfiction texts beyond the classroom.
To support all learners, the grant also provides resources for differentiated instruction and scaffolding strategies tailored to students with varying reading levels. This ensures struggling readers receive the support they need to engage with nonfiction content confidently and effectively.
The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all residents in Hancock County. Established in 1992 through an estate gift from L. Dale Dorney, the Foundation has awarded more than $75 million to fund projects that benefit the community. For more information about the Foundation’s impactful work, please visit community-foundation.com or call (419) 425-1100.
This HancockREADS grant exemplifies the Foundation’s commitment to supporting education and literacy, helping students gain essential skills that will serve them throughout their academic journeys and beyond.